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Summer Reading for 2007: "The Demon in the Freezer" by Richard Preston All students who will be juniors in the 2007-2008 school year must read the summer reading. Science education at Cardinal O'Hara offers tools for understanding the complexity of the universe. We recognize a Catholic atmosphere and moral goodness in all of our teaching and hope to encourage values in the presentation of scientific information necessary for the formation of responsible citizens and Christians. Each student must complete three science courses during the four years at Cardinal O'Hara. Students are encouraged to complete four years of science. The first science course is either Honors Biology, 415, Biology, 411, or Physical Science 412, or 413. Course 415 is an AP Prep course intended to prepare academically talented students to follow a four year AP Science curriculum. The second science course, taken during the sophomore year, will be Honors Chemistry I for those coming out of Honors Biology, Chemistry I for those coing out of Biology, and Biology for those coming out of Physical Science. Everyone will take Chemistry in his/her Junior year. Those who have already taked Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry I will be able to apply for either AP Chemistry or AP Biology. Those who have taken Chemistry I will take Chemisty II and those who have taken Physical Science and Biology will Chemistry I in their junior year. Seniors have several choices as to the science courses available to them. The number of physics sections taught as well as those of a science elective may vary from year to year depending upon staffing assignments and availability for that particular school year. There are several other science electives available in addition to Physics: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Applied Anatomy, Forensic Science and Environmental Science. Acceptance into any science course is dependent upon the approval of the subject teachers and Department Chairperson. The Science Department emphasizes a sound, sequential approach to science education. Any student wishing to take a science elective must have successfully completed their previous required science courses. AP Biology, and AP Chemistry are highly selective and are taught in such a way as to prepare students to successfully take the Advanced Placement Examination. All AP and Track 1 science courses require that research be conducted during the school year. An elective course in Anatomy/Physiology is offered to students in the Senior year. An Environmental Science elective is offered in the Junior and Senior year. These courses are intended to supplement the core curriculum, not to replace any part of it. For this reason, Physics or Chemistry must be taken concurrently with these courses. Acceptance into any science course at any level is dependent upon the approval of the science faculty. Unsuccessful performance or irresponsible behavior in basic science courses will adversely affect a student's acceptance into any science course beyond the Junior year. Tracking into science courses follows criteria which are explained to students each year at course selection time. Past performance and teacher recommendation carry the most weight in a student's selection into a successive science course. Any student who does not attain a minimum grade of 75 in his or her current science course could be moved into a lower track in the following academic year. Students with high grades may be moved to a higher track with teacher recommendations. |
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