er-level calculus course that also includes linear algebra, vector geometry, and higher trigonometry. The course is designed for students whose level of mathematical sophistication is high, since it covers a variety of college-level mathematics topics with independent work required outside of class. Because it is primarily an IB course, students taking this class will be expected to complete the IB internal assessment, an independent written work exploring an area of mathematics, and take the IB Higher Level Examination as their final examination. Students may obtain credit toward an International Baccalaureate diploma or certificate if they desire. If a student does not wish to take this course for IB credit and he or she received at least a 4 on the AP Calculus AB exam, then he or she may instead take the AP Calculus BC option and, consequently, the AP BC exam at the end of the year. Prerequisite: IB Mathematics Higher Level, Year 1 or AP Calculus AB.
538AP Advanced Placement Statistics (11,12)
1 credit, full year The AP Statistics course acquaints students with the major concepts and tools for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students will work on projects involving hands-on gathering and analysis of real-world data. Ideas and computations presented in this course will have immediate connections with actual events. Computers and calculators will allow students to focus deeply on the concepts involved. Successful completion of the course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. Prerequisite: IM4, IB Math AA SL1, IB Math AA HL1, Advanced Integrated Math 3 or Integrated Math 5. Teacher recommendation is also required.
SCIENCE
The variety of science offerExperimental design, ings in the upper school is the STEM approach, and designed to prepare students for further study in college scientific writing are progressively emphasized science courses. Students through laboratory inves- in the 9th and 10th grade years learn how to apply the tigations in all courses scientific method, develop as well as oral commucritical analyses of data, and nication skills via class use fundamental problemsolving techniques with the presentations. goal of preparing students for the IB and Advanced classes in the core subjects of biology, physics, and chemistry available in 11th and 12th grade. Environmental science is also offered in 11th and 12th grade as an applied laboratory science course utilizing the backgrounds established in the core courses. Experimental design, the STEM approach, and scientific writing are progressively emphasized through laboratory investigations in all courses as well as oral communication skills via class presentations. Opportunities to explore science and STEM outside of the classroom are also available through such activities as Science Olympiad, FIRST
Tech Challenge (and other robotics competitions), conferences, and field trips to higher education and other institutions. Opportunities to engage in connections to the nature and philosophy of science (a major thread of the IB Programme) are also available through the Bioethics Team and MSON Ethics (or other advanced science) courses. Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of three years of science, although most students take four years. Students begin upper school with the 9th grade Physics 1 courses and take the Chemistry 1 courses in 10th grade. It is recommended that students take at least 1 course in each of the core areas (chemistry, biology, and physics) in 9th-12th grades, although individual interests can take students in a variety of directions during the 11th and 12th grade years. Also, many junior and senior students “double” in a single year and take two science courses. Students discuss course choices with advisors, teachers, and the department chair. Final placement decisions, however, are made by the department based on the student’s demonstrated ability and on course availability. In addition to the courses listed below, the department is interested in helping students to arrange independent study courses when appropriate. Proposals for independent study must be arranged and approved by the faculty in advance of the year (for full-year independent studies) or semester (for one-semester independent studies). An independent study could involve a continuation of a course listed below or study of a science topic or area not investigated by these courses. Interested students should speak with their teacher and the department chair. Independent study and MSON courses may not be used to meet the requirement of 3 years of science instruction needed for graduation.
550 Physics 1 (9)
1 credit, full year Physics 1 is the same course as Physics IM-1, but utilizes more advanced mathematics such as vectors and trigonometry and will move at a faster pace. It also covers some topics in more depth, such as projectile motion and electronics. The course is designed to provide a solid foundation of physics in the areas of motion, forces, energy, electricity, and optics. In addition to building an extensive conceptual knowledge of physics, students also learn problem-solving skills necessary to be successful in future science courses. The course also involves a lab-based inquiry approach, including interdisciplinary projects developed collaboratively with the computer science and math departments. These areas of study include simulation, robotics, electronics, and the use of various computer-interfaced devices for data collection, graphing, and analysis. Each student completes at least one major building project centered on demonstrating an understanding of the principles of physics. This course prepares students for Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Accelerated with the department’s approval. 11
