Upper School Science

Biology

Open To: Grades 9 & 10

Biology increases the student’s awareness of the relationships between scientific thought, current knowledge in biology, and everyday living. In addition, there is an emphasis on helping students become biologically literate through thoughtful experimental design and skill development for reading primary literature. Topics covered include evolution, ecology, basic biological chemistry, cell structure and function, metabolism, inheritance, molecular genetics, and systems of the human body. This course covers many topics at the surface level to give students an overview of diverse themes in biology and to offer exposure to a range of fields which could be pursued further in the future. A variety of assessments including laboratory investigations, projects, papers, quizzes, and debates assist students in understanding the major concepts being covered.

Biology Honors

Open To: Grades 9 & 10

Honors Biology provides students with a strong biological foundation in scientific principles that will guide future decisions. This course takes a deeper dive than Biology into biological concepts as they apply to all forms of life. Topics covered include evolution, basic biochemistry, cell structure and function, the cell cycle, energy processing through cellular respiration and photosynthesis, and information processing through DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. Through a variety of exercises, including laboratory investigations, oral and written projects, and summative assessments, students will incorporate the scientific approach to question concepts and solve problems. Students in Honors Biology are expected to explore and interpret material independently and participate actively in class discussions on a daily basis. Success in this course will be evaluated, in part, by the extent that students apply what they know to solve new problems.

Chemistry

Open To: Grades 10 & 11

Chemistry introduces students to the relationships between the composition and structure of matter and the ways in which matter behaves. Students develop competency in and knowledge of the language of chemistry, the use of the periodic table, the properties of common substances, and the pattern and process of chemical reactions. The course emphasizes understanding reactions both theoretically as well as through classroom demonstrations and student laboratory work.

Chemistry Honors

Open To: Grades 10 & 11

Honors Chemistry covers similar topics as Chemistry, but explores the material in greater depth, both conceptually and mathematically, and at a much faster pace. Honors Chemistry students must be able to quickly assimilate new knowledge, accessing additional support as needed. Additional topics of study include solution chemistry, properties of gasses, and acids and bases. The course emphasizes understanding reactions both theoretically as well as through classroom demonstrations and student laboratory work. Students complete one project each term that develops a deeper understanding of a specific aspect of chemistry: the periodic table, climate change, properties of compounds, and water quality.

STEAM Electives (For Science Credit)

These courses can be taken for Science credit. Please see the STEAM X section of the guide for a complete description.

• STEAM X: Airfoils and Wind Turbines (Fall)
• STEAM X: Gliders (Winter)
• STEAM X: Laminate Process and Application in Wind Energy (Spring)
• STEAM X: Legacy and Independent Projects (Year Long)

Physics

Open to: Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisite: Current enrollment in Algebra II or higher

Physics studies the interaction of forces and energy in our everyday lives, focusing on the topics of mechanics, electrostatics, electric circuits, and magnetism. In the fall and winter, students learn to describe the motion of an object, and then apply Newton’s laws of motion and conservation of energy to the situation. In the spring, students explore the interaction between electric and magnetic fields and forces. Laboratory experiments and projects play a significant role in helping students develop their understanding of each concept. While mathematical relationships are used throughout the course, phenomena are described conceptually to balance the impact of the mathematical component of the class.

Physics Honors

Open to: Grades 11 & 12 (Grade 10 by permission of the Science Department)

Prerequisite: Current enrollment in Precalculus or higher in Mathematics.

Honors Physics covers the same topics as Physics, but does so in much greater depth, both conceptually and mathematically. Honors Physics also explores additional topics such as rotational motion and magnetic induction. Laboratory experiments play a significant role in helping students develop their understanding of each concept. From homework assignments to laboratory experiments, students in Honors Physics are expected to solve more complex questions and problems. This higher expectation of work quality and depth of ideas directly challenges students’ conceptual understanding and mathematical skills. Students who can seamlessly apply geometry and algebra skills to problem-solving will have greater success in Honors Physics.

Environmental Science Fall: Sustainability, Water Access and Pollution

Embedded Honors Option Available

In the opening weeks of the term, students are introduced to a variety of current and historical perspectives on the environmental movement. From there, the focus shifts to the distribution and quality of water resources throughout the globe. Students collect and analyze freshwater from the Derryfield campus, and also explore how vegetation can be influenced by human activities. Students choose a specific persistent, bioaccumulative, or toxic chemical to focus on for a final project, noting intended uses, unintended consequences, and progress made to ameliorate impacts from this chemical. Honors students are expected to read primary scientific literature and current events related to the course topics, and present their findings to the class.

Environmental Science Winter: Climate and Energy

Embedded Honors Option Available

Students begin the term modeling how turning on the lights in their home or classroom impacts the global air temperature. From there, students learn about the structure, composition, and role of Earth’s atmosphere, and how it has changed as a result of human influence. Students explore the origins and impacts of fossil fuels, greenhouse gasses, and different methods of generating electricity. Potential solutions or mitigation strategies for climate change are discussed. The term culminates in a student-designed climate action project, where students connect with the broader community to raise awareness and instigate change. Honors students are expected to read primary scientific literature and current events related to the course topics, and present their findings to the class.

Environmental Science Spring: Population, Food and Land Management

Embedded Honors Option Available

As our global population approaches 8 billion, the need for food and land resources has also grown. In this term, students will consider the distribution of food resources across the globe, compare and contrast commercial and sustainable agriculture practices, and discuss the impact of food choices on the environment. Juniors in this course will develop and carry out a group project during the final 5 weeks of the term to address a local environmental challenge of their choice. Honors students are expected to read primary scientific literature and current events related to the course topics, and present their findings to the class.

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Embedded Honors Option Available

Open to: Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

In this course, students learn about the human body, its vital functions, and the organ systems that support those functions through multiple case studies, hands-on activities, and their personal connection to the content of the course. We all have a body and should understand what’s under the hood, how it works, how to take care of it, and what puts the organism in jeopardy. Students work toward fluency in the language of anatomy and physiology and apply principles from biology and chemistry as they navigate through topics such as nutrition and the digestive system, exercise physiology and performance, illnesses and injuries, and how each human organism shares an interconnectedness with the human population, the environment, and the universe beyond. The course uses multimedia resources to provide visual aids to help students see inside the body. Students have the opportunity to have hands-on experiences dissecting anatomical structures such as a sheep brain and heart, and a cattle femur. Honors students are expected to demonstrate deeper and more detailed understanding of each topic on assessments, and to meet additional expectations on projects.

Advanced Topics Science: Biology

Open to: Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

The Advanced Topics Biology course is a capstone course for the biology curriculum at Derryfield. This course is comparable to a first-year biology course at the college level. This course is open to all students who did high quality work in Biology and Chemistry (honors and non-honors), and have outstanding motivation and interest in molecular biology. Successful students in this class will be those who have developed responsibility for their own learning.

As part of the biotechnology lab skills component of AT Biology, students complete a series of industry-relevant lab investigations ranging in complexity from DNA extraction to gene editing of bacteria using CRISPR technology. This section of the course is approximately 75% lab based, with the remainder spent discussing concepts, techniques, and ethics related to the use of biotechnology. Throughout the course, students learn to decode technical language in primary scientific literature. In the immunology and microbiology portion of this course, students gain a basic understanding of immune cell types and a range of pathogens. Students participate in many group projects utilizing creative as well as scientific approaches to diseases. Specifically, students investigate functions of monoclonal antibodies and develop a novel therapeutic approach for this technology. The project culminates in a formal scientific presentation to a group of PhD scientists in addition to their peers and other Derryfield teachers.

Advanced Topics Science: Chemistry

Open to: Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

The Advanced Topics Chemistry course is a capstone course for the chemistry curriculum at Derryfield. The course is open to all students who did high quality work in Chemistry or Honors Chemistry and have outstanding motivation and interest in chemistry or the field of science. Successful students in this class will be those who have developed responsibility for their own learning, have mastered the basics of stoichiometry and chemical bonding, and have a curiosity and drive to understand deeper and more subtle chemical questions. AT Chemistry covers selected topics with greater depth and detail, both conceptually and mathematically, including stoichiometry, nuclear chemistry, reaction kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base chemistry, and electrochemistry. Laboratory experiences are similar to those in a first-year college course. In the winter term, students take a deep dive into a specific aspect of nuclear chemistry, interviewing experts in the field and creating a podcast to educate the public.

Advanced Topics Science: Physics

Open to: Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Physics, current enrollment in AT Calculus I

The Advanced Topics Physics course is a capstone course for the physics curriculum at Derryfield. The course builds on material covered in the Honors Physics and Physics courses by introducing calculus solutions to previous topics. The course focuses on mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and then moves onto other topics like thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. AT Physics utilizes open-ended laboratory experiments and real-life application projects to help students master the course material in a variety of learning environments and display their knowledge in creative and exciting mediums.