› Fundamentals of Science › Biology › Honors Biology › Chemistry › Honors Chemistry › Physics › Honors Physics › Human Anatomy and Physiology › Marine Science › Environmental Science › Forensic Science › Lab Technology › AP Biology › AP Chemistry › AP Physics C
Partners in Science is a program that involves people in the community, such as mentors for scientific experiments, guest speakers, instructors for special techniques, donators of specialized equipment, or coordinators of multimedia projects, to enhance our current program.
The Environmental Club is open to all students who have an interest in environmental issues. The club participates in various activities and fund raisers in support of local environmental groups
The Science Department of MHSS, offers our students the opportunity to become knowledgeable, inquisitive individuals who understand the role of science/technology in our society. Our students develop the ability to use analytical and problem-solving methods. We provide a variety of courses offerings and activities to facilitate our students becoming scientifically literate individuals. These expectations may be summarized as follows:
This course will cover the processes that affect the Earth and the Earth's place in the universe. Basic chemistry and chemical reactions, along with the physics of motion, force, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism will be presented. Students are exposed to a broad spectrum of scientific inquiry.
topThis academic lab course requires students to meet the same objectives as Honors Biology below but in less detail. The program provides a challenging science and academic college preparatory experience and a strong foundation in the fundamentals of biological science.
topThis lab course provides students a comprehensive background in the basic biological principles of all branches of biology needed to evaluate the impact of biotechnology on their lives and to understand the interrelationships between themselves and the living and the nonliving environment. Students are expected to apply biological principles to assist them in solving higher level problems.
Prerequisite: for grade 9 students, Algebra II Honors must be taken concurrently.
topThis is a lab science involving ideas about atomic structure, the nature of matter, chemical periodicity, chemical bonding, solids, liquids, gases, and elements. Mathematics is used extensively throughout the course.
Co/Prerequisites: Algebra II-CG, Biology, and a C+ in Algebra I.
topThis course is an accelerated college preparatory chemistry program. The subject matter of the course requires that students be highly skilled in mathematics.
Prerequisites: B in Honors Biology, B in Honors Algebra II.
topThis course is a lab science involving the study of mechanics, wave motion, sound, electricity, magnetism, and light. The classwork and laboratory are dependent on rigorous use of algebra, geometry and trigonometry.
Prerequisite: Precalculus to be taken concurrently.
topThis course is an accelerated college preparatory physics program which requires a high level of mathematical ability to handle complex problems.
Prerequisites: Honors Precalculus, B in Honors Chemistry.
topThis course explores human anatomy and physiology. It focuses on organ system structures and how they function. Diagnostic tools and strategies to determine health and disease are also studied, along with careers in the health professions.
topThis lab course explores the physical, chemical, and biological interrelationships existing in the coastal marine environment. An ecosystem approach will be used as the course investigates the character of the northwest Atlantic Ocean, its estuaries, and adjacent coastal features. Areas of study include waves, tides, currents, chemical composition of seawater, energy flow, and land use planning. Topics of study will also treat the physiology, anatomy, and behavior of marine organisms. Marine hobbies, occupations, and careers will also be explored.
Prerequisite: Biology
topThis course is designed to study how humans interface with their natural environment. It provides students with a balanced approach to the diverse study of the environment, its problems, and their impact on the world's future. Students will apply their knowledge of a variety of earth and physical sciences to enhance their understanding of the forces that shape the world's environment. The second semester of the course is designed to explore the various problems associated with the use of energy in our modern society. The use of alternative energy sources will be explored, along with the impact of each form of energy use. The student will become an "educated energy consumer" learning ways to save energy and money in their future.
topThe forensic science course is designed to introduce some specialized fields of forensic science, to learn the fundamental principles of science and technology upon which they are based, and to apply them to criminal cases. Aspects of forensic science involving the examination of physical, chemical, and biological evidence will be explored. The forensic analysis of evidence will be understood with the application of chemistry, biology, and physics. The legal issues governing the actions of forensic science will also be discussed. The course will further develop the student's communication and critical thinking skills through the scientific method.
topThe primary tasks of medical laboratory technicians are to perform precise tests designed to examine and analyze body fluids, tissues, and cells in search of clues regarding the absence or presence, extent, and cause of various diseases, and to accurately evaluate and document the results of their investigations. This class is designed to instruct students in the use of tools and methods to gather, analyze, process, and report medical information. It also encompasses the practical aspects of indexing, storing, and retrieving information using computers.
topAP Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology course. The goals of the AP curriculum are to help students develop a conceptual framework for understanding modern biology and to gain an appreciation of science as a process. Primary emphasis in the AP course is on developing and understanding of concepts, a recognition of unifying themes, and an application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and societal concerns. The course content is divided into three major areas: molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organism and populations.
Prerequisite: B in Honors Biology and recommendation.
topThe AP Chemistry course is equivalent to the chemistry course taken during the first year of college. This course is designed to be taken only after the successful completion of Honors Chemistry. Students in this course should attain a depth of understanding of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems with emphasis on chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of principles. Themes introduced in the first year high school course, such as atomic theory, the periodic table, nuclear chemistry, solutions, chemical bonding, and chemical and physical changes are expanded upon. Topics such as the structure of matter, kinetic molecular theory, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, the basic concepts of thermodynamics, and inorganic versus organic chemistry are presented in considerable depth.
Prerequisite: B in Honors Chemistry and recommendation.
topThe instructional goals of AP Physics C are four-fold. First, students should gain a basic knowledge of the discipline of physics, including phenomenology, theories and techniques, and generalizing principles. Secondly, students should have the ability to ask physical questions and to obtain solutions to physical questions by use of physical intuition, experimental investigations, and formal logic. Next, students should be able to foster an appreciation of the physical world and the discipline of physics, creativity, and reasoned skepticism. Finally, students need to understand connections of physics to other disciplines and to societal issues.
Prerequisite: B in Honors Physics and recommendation.