Science

Cheverussc iencepreparesstudentstobeinnovativesc ientistsandinformedc itizens .Wearecomm ittedtoarigorousfoundationin lifeandphys icalsc iencesinthecontextof ourchang ingworld.Werecognizethatintherecentdecadealone ,advancesinapplied andbas icsc ienceshavecatapultedusintoaworldof greateropportunitiesandquestions .Laboratoryexperienceswillserveto illustratetheprinc iplesbe ingstudiedaswe llastointroducesafeandpropersc ientificinvestigativeprocedures .Ourhands-on, inquiry-andlab-basedcurriculumisgroundednotonlyinrichcontent,butisalsoguidedbyourJesuitm iss ionof serviceto humanity.Weaimtogrowleaders ,thinkers ,innovators ,des igners ,andengagedc itizens .

Global Science

1credit

Global Sciencecombinesthefoundationsof biology, chemistry, and ecology. Studentswill develop an understandingof theenterpriseof scienceasawhole?the wondering, investigating, questioning, datacollecting, analyzing, problem solving, designing, and communicating. Topicswill includeEarth systems, geochemical cycles, natural resources, and sustainability. An emphasison environmental science, policy, and social justicehelpsstudentsrelatescienceto themselves, our community, and ultimately, theworld. Biology

1credit

Thisintroductory coursepresentsmany of themajor conceptsin thefield of biology, thestudy of life. Studentswill develop an understandingabout the scienceof biology and experimental design, the chemistry of life, cellular biology, metabolism, genetics, thecentral dogmaof biology, and evolution. Thecourseincludesan exploration of thehuman body and promotesacritical analysisof current advancesin medicineand science. Biology Honors

1credit

Biology Honorsisintended for thoseinterested in pursuingscience. Thegoalsachieved by each student through participation in theBiology Honorsexperienceareaheightened awarenessand interest in biology aswell asan appreciation of both thebroad scopeand theenormousdepth that thefield of biology encompasses. Students will develop an understandingabout thescience of biology and experimental design, thechemistry of life, cellular biology, metabolism, genetics, the central dogmaof biology, and evolution. The courseincludesan exploration of thehuman body and promotesacritical analysisof current advancesin medicineand science, includingthe advancementsin geneticengineeringand the ethical decisionscreated by such advances.

Chemistry

1credit

Thisintroductory coursepresentsmany of the major conceptsin thefield of chemistry, thestudy of matter and thechangesit undergoes. Laboratory investigationsand collaborativeclassroom activities areused to illustratetherelationship between the structureof matter and itsbehavior, attemptingto answer thequestion ?Why doessomethingbehavea certain way??A primary emphasisof thecourseis on theprocessof learningproblem-solving techniquesand strategies, both mathematical and investigative, in order to foster scientifichabitsof mind includingcuriosity, creativity, and objectivity. Studentswill begin to understand the interconnectionsof chemistry to theother sciences, society, culture, and technology. Chemistry Honors

1credit

Chemistry Honorsisdesigned for students consideringacareer requiringfurther science education at thecollegelevel. Thisintroductory coursepresentsmany of themajor conceptsin the field of chemistry, thestudy of matter and the changesit undergoes. Laboratory investigationsand collaborativeclassroom activitiesareused to illustratetherelationship between thestructureof matter and itsbehavior, attemptingto answer the question ?Why doessomethingbehaveacertain way??A primary emphasisof thecourseison the processof learningproblem-solvingtechniques and strategies, both mathematical and investigative, in order to foster scientifichabitsof mind includingcuriosity, creativity, and objectivity. Studentswill begin to understand the interconnectionsof chemistry to theother sciences, society, culture, and technology. Personal initiative isexpected in thefast-paced course.

Physics

1credit Prerequis ite:AlgebraII

Physicsisan algebra-based, introductory course. Studentscultivatetheir understandingof physics through inquiry-based investigationsasthey explore topicssuch asNewtonian mechanics(including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; momentum; and mechanical waves. Basicuseof trigonometricfunctionscan begained either in the concurrent math courseor in thePhysicscourse itself.

PhysicsHonors/AP Physics1

1credit Prerequis ite:AlgebraII

PhysicsHonors/APPhysics1 isan algebra-based, introductory college-level course. Students cultivatetheir understandingof physicsthrough inquiry-based investigationsasthey exploretopics such asNewtonian mechanics(including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; momentum; and mechanical waves. Thiscourse will providestudentswith thebackground needed for study in an engineeringprogram in college and for studentswho will pursueacareer requiringfurther scienceeducation at thecollege level.

MarineBiology

Semester,½credit Prerequis ite:Bio logy

Thiscourseisdesigned for studentswith special interest in marinebiology and contains significant laboratory and field experience. Studentsstudy ecological conceptsof thesandy beach, rocky shoreand benthiccommunities, seaweeds, planktonicforms, plankton and their relationship to marinelifecycles, nekton, benthos, marinebacteriology, marinebiological resources, and marinepollution. Special attention will be given to Maine?scoastal environment and working waterfront.

AP Environmental Science

1credit Prerequis ites:Studentsshouldhavecompletedtwoyearsof highschoo llaboratorysc ience .Duetothequantitative analys isrequiredinthecourse ,studentsshouldalsohave takenatleastoneyearof algebra.

APEnvironmental Sciencewill providestudents with thescientificprinciples, concepts, and methodologiesrequired to understand the interrelationshipsof thenatural world, to identify and analyzeenvironmental problemsboth natural and human-made, to evaluatetherelativerisks associated with theseproblems, and to examine alternativesolutionsfor resolvingand/or preventingthem. Environmental scienceis interdisciplinary, embracingtopicsfrom geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.

AP Chemistry

1credit Prerequis ite:RecommendedChem istry

APChemistry isdesigned to providean in-depth exploration of solution chemistry, chemical kinetics, thermochemistry, gaslaws, reaction equilibria, acid-basechemistry, buffered solutions, oxidation-reduction reactionsand electrochemistry. Emphasisisplaced on representationsand modelsto communicate scientificphenomenaaswell asaskingstudentsto engagein scientificquestioningto extend thinking. Duringadvanced laboratory experiences, studentswill perform dataanalysisand evaluation of evidencewhileworkingwith scientific explanationsand theories. Considerablepersonal initiativeisexpected asthecourseisdesigned for motivated studentswho arepreparingfor the Advanced Placement Exam in early May. Dual enrollment credit with St. Joseph?sCollegeis available.

Human Anatomy & Physiology

1credit Prerequis ite:Bio logy

Human Anatomy and Physiology isahands-on laboratory coursethat investigatestheforms, processes, and systemsof thehuman body. Studentswill study thebasicorganization of the body, thebiochemical composition and interactions, and thepartsof themajor body systemsaswell ashowthey work together. Case studiesof infectiousand geneticdiseasesand current discoveriesin medicinewill enhanceour study. Thisclassisdesigned for studentswho have an interest in pursuingacareer in thehealth fields, and for studentswho want to learn more about their own bodiesand howto maintain a healthy lifestyle.

AP Biology

1credit

APBiology aimsto providestudentswith the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skillsnecessary to deal critically with therapidly changingscienceof biology. AP Biology labsareequivalent of thoseperformed by collegestudentsover thecourseof oneyear of collegestudy. Thecourseculminatesin aResearch Project that ispresented to judgesand the Cheveruscommunity through theAPBiology Symposium in thespring. Thispresentation meets theSTEM diplomarequirement for Strand 3: Research & Design.

Research Course(Honors)

Semester,½credit

Studentswill generateand conduct independent research, collect data, makemeaningfrom their data, and present their findingsto theMaineState ScienceFair (MSSF) for external review. Students who participatein theMSSFhavean opportunity to earn collegescholarshipsin MaineUniversities and honorsenrollment into theMaineState University System. Past awardshavecomefrom University of Maine, University of NewEngland, and Collegeof theAtlantic. TheCheverusScience Department iswell-endowed with analytical equipment, biotechnology, and 3D printing capacity. Studentswill beencouraged to be innovativeengineersand researchersfostering creativity and curiosity. Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (Honors)

Prerequis ite:Bio logyandChem istryRecommended

Organic chemistry isahighly creativesciencethat allowschemiststo createand exploremolecules and compoundssuch asagrichemicals, coatings, cosmetics, detergent, dyes, food, fuel, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and rubber. Thiscourseprovidesastudy of the theories, principles, and techniquesof organic chemistry. Topicsincludenomenclature, structure, properties, reactions, and mechanismsof hydrocarbons, alkyl halides, alcohols, and ethers. Further topicsincludeisomerization and stereochemistry. Whileexploringtopicsstudents will develop thevalues, attitudes, and thinking skillsassociated with scienceand engineering. Studentswill explorematerials, envision multiple solutions, persist and learn from failurewhile collaboratingand workingin teams.