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Science Department
Mr. John LaRosa, Department Head
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Courses |
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Main Office: (203) 797-4800
Attendance Office: (203) 790-2893 or (203) 790-2864
In this course, students will learn broad biological concepts with an emphasis on scientific literacy. Scientific literacy includes observation, problem solving, collecting data and making inferences. Students will study topics on cell chemistry, and biotechnology, genetics, evolution and biodiversity. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities are integrated into the students’ course work to prepare them for the CAPT. Labs are embedded in the curriculum. Summer work will be handed out at the end of the year and will also be posted on the Danbury High School website. This work will be collected at the beginning of the year and will count towards the student’s grade.
This course is recommended for 9th graders with strong ability and/or interest in the sciences.
The course will take a comprehensive look into biological concepts with an emphasis on scientific literacy. Scientific literacy includes observation, problem solving, collecting data, and making inferences. Students will study topics on cell chemistry and biotechnology, genetics, evolution, and biodiversity. Students will have the option of completing an independent science research project of their choice. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities will be integrated into the students’ coursework to prepare them for the CAPT. Labs are embedded into the curriculum. Summer work will be handed out at the end of the year and will also be posted on the Danbury High School website. This work will be collected at the beginning of the year and will count towards the student’s grade.
In this course, students will learn broad biological concepts with an emphasis on scientific literacy. Scientific literacy includes observation, problem solving, collecting data and making inferences. Students will study topics on cell chemistry, and biotechnology, genetics, evolution and biodiversity. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities are integrated into the students’ course work to prepare them for the CAPT. This class has a lab that meets once a week. Summer work will be handed out at the end of the year and will also be posted on the Danbury High School website. This work will be collected at the beginning of the year and will count towards the student’s grade.
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course, usually taken by biology majors during their first year. Some AP students, as college freshmen, may be permitted to enroll in upper-level biology courses or to register for courses that list biology as a prerequisite. Students are required to take the AP test. A fee of $100 per semester is required for students to potentially receive UCONN credit. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities are integrated into the students’ course work.
PREREQUISITE: Biology and Chemistry.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (A.P.) 11-12
The goal of the A.P. Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Topics that will be studied will include: (1) Interdependence of Earth’s Systems: Fundamental Principles and Concepts; (2) Human Population Dynamics; (3) Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources: Distribution, Ownership, Use and Degradation; (4) Environmental Quality; (5) Global Changes and Their Consequences; (6) Environment and Society: Trade-Offs and Decision Making. Assessment will be both traditional and performance-based. In addition to the usual classroom labs, exams and essays on environmental issues, students will be performing some outdoor labs on local environmental issues, and completing long-term environmental projects. These series of assessments will culminate in the A.P. Exam. It is expected that students taking this course will take the Advanced Placement examination given in mid-May by the College Board. Lab meets once a week. Summer work will be handed out at the end of the year and will also be posted on the Danbury High School website. This work will be collected at the beginning of the year and will count towards the student’s grade.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry
THE HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH & DISEASE (HONORS) 11-12
Learn how major body systems work and what problems they might have, as well as the high-tech and common sense methods of disease prevention and treatment. Students will: learn how health issues affect many other aspects of life and work; analyze their familial history to determine which disease(s) they are more predisposed to acquiring; gain an understanding of how their decisions today impact their future health; perform independent research, small group research, and participate in cooperative teaching. Topics of study include: Family Pedigrees, health issues, mechanisms of disease, homeostasis, major body systems, and nutrition and metabolism. Three College Career Pathway credits are available when taken in conjunction with the Certified Nursing Assistant Program.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Biology
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (HONORS) 11-12
The academy is a three period year long program that encompasses anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and health care, along with hands on clinical placements in areas of interest or Nursing Assistant Training at Danbury Hospital. The course is taught in the classroom, lab, and hospital setting. Ethics, legal considerations, medical and surgical asepsis, body mechanics, medical language skills, first aid, an introduction to medical facilities, and careers within the field are some of the areas to be covered. Furthermore, the course will explore traditional medical diagnostics and treatments, as well as challenges posed by new technologies and alternative medicine. The course will prepare the student with knowledge of normal form and function of the human organ systems, with anatomical and physiological laboratory techniques, which may be applied outside the course; and with a working vocabulary of anatomical and physiological terms, which will allow further independent learning and application. College Career Pathways credits are available. This course fulfills the Health requirement and includes the CNA option. Prerequisite: B average in IPS, Biology, Chemistry, or permission of the instructor.
SPORTS MEDICINE (COLLEGE PREP) 11-12
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of basic structural and functional anatomy and physiology. Recognition skills of athletic injuries serve as the instructional focus. This curriculum will enable students to make possible career choices in the area of allied health professions, including Athletic Training. Students are required to job-shadow an Athletic Trainer or Physical Therapist. This course is an affiliate course of the Physical Education Department and The Academy of Health and Biosciences.
PREREQUISITE: Biology
AQUATIC SCIENCES (COLLEGE PREP) 10-12
During the first semester, students will explore life forms from microscopic to whale-sized, that live in the oceans and seas. Designed for students who want additional studies in the life sciences, this course will investigate the physical aspects of the oceans, plant and animal physiology, ocean ecology, and maritime industries such as fishing, whaling and seafood production.
During the second semester, the primary focus will be Freshwater Biology. Here students will explore the diverse life forms found in streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands from the microscopic to the macroscopic. Hands on experience and career options will be presented and emphasized. This course will investigate plant and animal anatomy and physiology as it relates to the freshwater environment. Freshwater ecosystems, large and small, are vital to all of us. PREREQUISITE: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Biology.
ASTRONOMY (COLLEGE PREP) 10-12
This course is a study of the principles and concepts of astronomy with heavy emphasis on recent accomplishments in space. The vast opportunity for new discoveries about the universe is explored. A mathematics background is not required.
METEOROLOGY (COLLEGE PREP) 10-12
Meteorology surveys the principles and concepts related to understanding weather and climate. Students gain conceptual knowledge through the formal study of the elements of weather and the cause and effect relationships of climate. Local weather conditions will be emphasized to promote understanding and awareness of basic principles. Course topics include: weather forecasting, meteorologic instruments, and atmosphere-geographic interactions. Science study skills are emphasized throughout the course and research papers on topics of interest are required.
SCIENCE & THE ENVIRONMENT (COLLEGE PREP) 10-12
Science and the Environment is designed to increase the students’ awareness of their surroundings. Emphasis is placed on the important interrelationships among living things and the physical environment. Course topics include: investigations in ecology, populations of living things, water and air pollution, and energy relationships.
CHEMISTRY (COLLEGE PREP) 10-12
This course provides an overview of chemical concepts. Emphasis is placed on the role and impact of chemicals in health, political, economic and social domains at a local and global level. Reading and research is required, as well as careful analysis in writing and class discussion of complex interactions of science and society. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities are integrated into the students’ course work. This class has a lab that meets once a week. Summer work will be handed out at the end of the year and will also be posted on the Danbury High School website. This work will be collected at the beginning of the year and will count towards the student's grade.
COREQUISITE: Algebra I
This course provides an in-depth study of the principles and concepts of chemistry with emphasis on the application of mathematics and is recommended for students who have strong ability and/or interest in the sciences. This course would be appropriate for students interested in science or engineering related college majors. Students will have the option of completing an independent science research project of their choice. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities are integrated into the students’ course work. This class meets for a double period for one semester. Labs are embedded in the curriculum. Summer work will be handed out at the end of the year and will also be posted on the Danbury High School website. This work will be collected at the beginning of the year and will count towards the students grade.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Algebra I
This course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken by chemistry majors during their first year. Some AP students, as college freshmen, may be permitted to enroll in upper-level chemistry courses or to register for courses that list chemistry as a prerequisite. Students are required to take the AP test. A fee of $100 per semester is required for students to potentially receive UCONN credit. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities are integrated into the students’ course work.
PREREQUISITE: Chemistry.
This course will introduce students to central concepts of physics. The emphasis will be on relating to the things that are familiar in the everyday environment, and supportive mathematical concepts. Students will learn scientific reasoning and its application to everyday life. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities are integrated into the students’ course work Lab meets once a week. Summer work will be handed out at the end of the year and will also be posted on the Danbury High School website. This work will be collected at the beginning of the year and will count towards the student’s grade.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Algebra and Geometry or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II
This is an introductory physics course covering mechanics, kinetic and potential energy, wave theory, electricity, magnetism and modern discoveries and applications of physics. The course explains these concepts through the use of math, problem solving, discussion and computer assisted programs. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities are integrated into the students’ course work. Lab meets once a week. Summer work will be handed out at the end of the year and will also be posted on the Danbury High School website. This work will be collected at the beginning of the year and will count towards the student’s grade.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Algebra II or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus
This course ordinarily forms the first part of the college sequence that serves as the foundation in physics for students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering. The sequence is parallel to or preceded by mathematics courses that include calculus. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. Strong emphasis is placed on solving a variety of challenging problems, some requiring calculus. The subject matter of the course is principally mechanics and electricity and magnetism, with approximately equal emphasis on these two areas. Some A.P. students, as college freshmen, are permitted to enroll in upper-level physics courses or register for courses that list physics as a prerequisite. Students are required to take the A.P. test. Inquiry based learning and required hands-on lab activities are integrated into the students’ course work. Lab meets twice a week. Summer work will be handed out at the end of the year and will also be posted on the Danbury High School website. This work will be collected at the beginning of the year and will count towards the students grade.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Physics. Concurrent enrollment or successful completion of Calculus.