Science
Listening about what others have learned is part of any education, but discovering things for yourself makes science fun and vital. Have you ever blown glass, measured your acceleration on a roller coaster, or made biodiesel fuel? You will, when you take Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science. Our Bird Study elective conducts weekly field trips to many species-rich habitats. Biology classes spend an afternoon visiting local biomes, and another visiting the tidepools less than a mile from campus. Senior Physics students finish the year not with a final exam, but with a research project. A chemical engineering project awaits you at the end of Advanced Placement Chemistry.
Want an even bigger project? One of our faculty members is Director of Research Projects, advising students who are preparing for local, state, and national science fairs. In 2005, two Stevenson students were semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search, and one was among forty finalists in the nation. Both are now attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.).
Course Offerings
Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES)
This full-year course focuses on the dynamics of Earth systems, including examinations of the atmosphere, geologic principles, hydrology, and our place in the universe. Included are discussions of environmental impacts by humans. The course provides a foundation for which students advance into the upper-level science curriculum.
Biology
Biology, available to sophomores and to freshmen who are academically ready, introduces major concepts necessary for understanding the basic principles inherent in all life processes. Throughout the course, students explore the fundamental interrelation of all forms of life in terms of both structure and function, and the interdependence of living things upon one another and their environments.
Chemistry
Prerequisite: Biology
Chemistry increases students’ understanding of the methods of science, promotes an appreciation of the chemical nature of our world, and prepares students for college chemistry. Instructors present the material from a conceptual and historical viewpoint that is reinforced with extensive laboratory experience, and they expect students to become proficient in simple algebraic calculations that relate to basic concepts.
Chemistry increases students’ understanding of the methods of science, promotes an appreciation of the chemical nature of our world, and prepares students for college chemistry. Instructors present the material from a conceptual and historical viewpoint that is reinforced with extensive laboratory experience, and they expect students to become proficient in simple algebraic calculations that relate to basic concepts.
Chemistry (Honors)
Prerequisite: high achievement in biology and mathematics
With a major emphasis of problem-solving skills and extensive laboratory work, Chemistry (honors) exceeds the regular chemistry program in both depth and scope. Instructors expect students to develop an understanding of chemical concepts that extends beyond the elementary level, and to do a wide variety of basic and intermediate calculations with a high degree of accuracy. This course also requires students to formulate a science fair project from conception of a question to development of an appropriate experimental method, culminating with optional presentation at the county science fair.
With a major emphasis of problem-solving skills and extensive laboratory work, Chemistry (honors) exceeds the regular chemistry program in both depth and scope. Instructors expect students to develop an understanding of chemical concepts that extends beyond the elementary level, and to do a wide variety of basic and intermediate calculations with a high degree of accuracy. This course also requires students to formulate a science fair project from conception of a question to development of an appropriate experimental method, culminating with optional presentation at the county science fair.
Physics
Prerequisite: Chemistry This algebra-based course introduces the vocabulary and concepts of physics in a discussion/demonstration/ laboratory format. It emphasizes understanding principles quantitatively rather than applying them rigorously, and requires only simple mathematical analysis.
Advanced Placement Physics B Level
Prerequisite: Physics or high achievement in chemistry and College Algebra-Trigonometry
Designed as a second-year physics course, this class may constitute a first-year physics course for exceptionally strong students. The pace is college-level, with weekly problem sets and extensive laboratory analysis, using the Texas Instruments CBL system, and other sophisticated apparatus.
Designed as a second-year physics course, this class may constitute a first-year physics course for exceptionally strong students. The pace is college-level, with weekly problem sets and extensive laboratory analysis, using the Texas Instruments CBL system, and other sophisticated apparatus.
Advanced Placement Physics C Level
Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in calculus, as well as high achievement in physics
Second-year (freshman college-level) physics fulfills the requirements put forth by the College Board for the Physics C level. The course, emphasizing mathematical analysis, features a calculus-level treatment of mechanics, electricity, and magnetism. Students receive preparation for the Advanced Placement Examination and learn to understand and interpret physical information in a verbal, mathematical, and graphic context.
Second-year (freshman college-level) physics fulfills the requirements put forth by the College Board for the Physics C level. The course, emphasizing mathematical analysis, features a calculus-level treatment of mechanics, electricity, and magnetism. Students receive preparation for the Advanced Placement Examination and learn to understand and interpret physical information in a verbal, mathematical, and graphic context.
Advanced Placement Biology
Prerequisite: high achievement in biology and chemistry
This freshman college-level biology class provides an understanding of the fundamental factual and conceptual elements of biological science. Instructors seek to help students gain an appreciation of the integrity of living systems and the application of chemical and physical principles of life. Classes discuss historical perspective and recent developments in molecular and cellular biology, physiology, genetics, and evolution in light of modern theory. After completing the course, a student should be prepared to successfully pursue a biology program at the college level and to achieve success on the Advanced Placement Examination in Biology.
This freshman college-level biology class provides an understanding of the fundamental factual and conceptual elements of biological science. Instructors seek to help students gain an appreciation of the integrity of living systems and the application of chemical and physical principles of life. Classes discuss historical perspective and recent developments in molecular and cellular biology, physiology, genetics, and evolution in light of modern theory. After completing the course, a student should be prepared to successfully pursue a biology program at the college level and to achieve success on the Advanced Placement Examination in Biology.
Advanced Placement Chemistry
Prerequisite: high achievement in chemistry and mathematics
Advanced Placement Chemistry covers topics normally included in a standard first-year college course in chemistry. Emphasizing the development of chemical principles and mathematical operations, the course prepares students to receive advanced standing at the college they attend and to be equal with college students who have taken their first year of college chemistry.
Advanced Placement Chemistry covers topics normally included in a standard first-year college course in chemistry. Emphasizing the development of chemical principles and mathematical operations, the course prepares students to receive advanced standing at the college they attend and to be equal with college students who have taken their first year of college chemistry.
Advanced Placement Environmental Science
Prerequisite: high achievement in biology and chemistry
This course, the equivalent of a first-semester college-level environmental science course, covers the scientific principles of ecology, chemistry, and statistics that are used to understand how the systems of the earth are interrelated. Emphasis is placed on how science deals with the environmental issues that our world faces and the many possible solutions to these problems. At the same time, the course aims to provide the social, political, and ethical framework in which environmental decision making occurs. Students receive preparation for the Advanced Placement Exam in Environmental Science.
This course, the equivalent of a first-semester college-level environmental science course, covers the scientific principles of ecology, chemistry, and statistics that are used to understand how the systems of the earth are interrelated. Emphasis is placed on how science deals with the environmental issues that our world faces and the many possible solutions to these problems. At the same time, the course aims to provide the social, political, and ethical framework in which environmental decision making occurs. Students receive preparation for the Advanced Placement Exam in Environmental Science.
Science Electives
Animals and Society
This one-trimester senior elective focuses on the relationships that people have with animals and the ways that our activities affect their lives. Topics include vegetarian/vegan lifestyles, the connection between animal abuse and human violence, and the ethics of the use of animals in a variety of contexts–scientific research, factory farming, entertainment, education, hunting, and as companions. Students learn how to become compassionate, environmentally friendly consumers, and how to advocate on behalf of animals.
Marine Biology
As a one-trimester senior elective, Marine Biology examines the flora and fauna of the sea with an emphasis on the Pacific Coast seashore. Topics covered include intertidal zones, wave action, tides, and the ecology and classification of marine organisms.
Ornithology
Ornithology is a one-trimester senior elective designed to acquaint students with the behavior, classification, topography, evolution, and ecology of birds. Working toward field identification of over 75 species of the local avifauna, students build upon their basic biological knowledge from the perspective of birds.
Sports Medicine
This one-trimester senior elective is a survey of human anatomy and physiology, with emphasis on the prevention and treatment of athletic injuries. Students learn simple first-aid procedures and develop skills in taping and bandaging extremities. Students earn certification in CPR and Automated Electrical Defibrillator (AED).
Biochemistry
This year-long senior elective provides the student with an understanding of biochemistry on the level of structural, genetic, and metabolic regulation, with an eye on how these interact in the normal and abnormal condition. Students will acquire skill at reading and evaluating, and commenting on articles in the current research literature.
Psychology
This senior elective addresses major movements and theories of the history and focus of psychology. We briefly address the beginnings of the search to understand the human mind, then move through human development, the amazing work of the brain, learning theory, intelligence, emotion, and personality, as well as mental health. Weekly papers are assigned on pertinent topics, using oneself as an example. Reading quizzes can be expected. A final wrap-up project consists of an analytical examination of a hypothetical case history. There will be much class discussion and no forbidden topics.
