Senior Studio (Honors)

Culminating with the annual Senior Show, this 2-term class creates the community, structure, and space for the most serious artists to pursue their own work. Students taking this class have shown to be independent, dedicated artists who are prepared to bring their interests to the class. No projects are assigned. Group critiques, research in contemporary art, readings, and documentation of the creative process will be major elements of the course. Open to 12th graders with the recommendation from the Visual Arts Department Head. 

Statistics

This course includes the gathering of data and a variety of sampling techniques, hypothesis testing, frequency distribution, normal distribution, correlation, linear regression, theoretical distributions, and inferential statistics. This course asks students to consider questions such as these: How is data summarized so that it is intelligible? How should statistical data be interpreted? How can we measure the inherent uncertainty built into statistical data? Students will be asked to collect, analyze and interpret real data to answer real questions in their areas of interest. Students can opt to take this class at the Honors level. Prerequisites: Integrated Math 3 or Algebra 2 and Geometry

Advanced Biology – Anatomy and Physiology (Honors)

In this medical simulation-based course, we explore the integrated systems that make up the incredible human body and learn about how the structures of the body perform the functions necessary to maintain the balance of life (homeostasis). Students investigate the relationship between structure and function through dissections, projects, and discussions. We look into the pathophysiology of diseases and disorders that compromise the functioning of our body systems and visit the Harvard MEDscience program once a week to apply this content to hands-on medical simulations. Students should note that this class deals with medical content and skills that  include simulated blood, the use of needles and scalpels, and animal dissections. Students should be prepared for patient simulations which, while fun, are also realistic and intense in nature. Prerequisites: Students should take one Chemistry Applications AND one Biology Applications course to be eligible to take this class, and at least one of those application courses should be taken at the Honors level and with departmental permission. Offered at the Honors level only. ***Open ONLY to students who have NOT attended the Harvard MEDscience Clinical summer program. Please note: seniors who take this course in the spring are still required to attend Harvard MEDScience visits on Fridays throughout their senior experience.

Advanced Math Topics (Honors)

In this course, students will be asked to grapple with a range of topics that extend beyond fundamental calculus topics. Topics covered may include but are not limited to l’Hospital’s rule, linear approximations, differentials, Newton’s Method of Approximation, center of mass, arc length, surface area, and differential equations. Students will be asked to think creatively and apply their knowledge to complex real-world problems and extend their knowledge of fundamental calculus topics. Students taking Advanced Calculus or others with a strong interest in pursuing advanced mathematics at the college level are strongly encouraged. Class offered at the Honors level only Prerequisites: Advanced Calculus or departmental permission

Advanced Physics – Electricity & Magnetism (Honors)

The goal of Advanced Physics is to develop tools and intuition capable of describing the physical world at a very general level, using more sophisticated mathematical tools such as geometry, trigonometry, functions, pre-calculus, and calculus. The topics studied during this term include electricity, electrostatics and electric fields, magnetic fields, and the interplay between electric and magnetic fields. This course is extensively laboratory based while developing the theoretical ideas of an introductory college physics course. Students are required to draw conclusions based on evidence gathered with such devices as batteries, bulbs, capacitors, wires, hand generators, and motors. If time allows, the course may also include electromagnetic radiation (light, x-rays, microwaves, etc.) as an extension. Prerequisites: Physics Foundations and Physics Applications: Engineering (previously Conceptual Physics) or equivalent or  departmental permission. Offered at the Honors level only.

Advanced Physics – Mechanics (Honors)

The goal of Advanced Physics is to develop tools and intuition capable of describing the physical world at a very general level, using more sophisticated mathematical tools such as geometry, trigonometry, functions, pre-calculus, and calculus.  The topics studied during this term can be tailored to student interest but will likely draw from a list of topics including accelerated motion, vectors and projectile motion, Newton’s Laws, 2-D statics and dynamics, rotational motion, torque, and special relativity. This course includes at least one large research project in which students are required to explore a topic of interest and use their mechanics knowledge to analyze and make calculation-supported predictions for a physical situation. Prerequisites: Physics Foundations and Physics Applications: Engineering (previously Conceptual Physics) or equivalent or  departmental permission. Offered at the Honors level only.

Advanced Chemistry – Organic Chemistry (Honors)

Organic molecules are the building blocks of all life on Earth, and the carbon atom is central to the formation of this class of molecules. The course focuses on the importance of chemistry in biological systems. Students investigate the chemistry of key functional groups, including alcohols, carboxylic acids, amines and ethers, and their role in the behavior of three primary macromolecules: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. There is a strong emphasis on laboratory work, and students engage in experiments including the oxidation of Vitamin C, organic extraction of Caffeine from tea, and the hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids. Prerequisites: Any Chemistry or Biology Applications course at the Honors level. Departmental permission required. Offered at the Honors level only.

Advanced Theater (Honors)

Advanced Theater is a one-term, process-to-production course designed to prepare students for two public performances at Beaver. The course begins by focusing on script analysis and character development and then students engage in the rehearsal process to bring the play to fruition with the Advanced Design & Tech and Advanced Costume design classes. Acting roles are open to seniors who have completed all prerequisites. Students entering this class should be highly motivated and interested in an intense and exciting experience that requires a great deal of commitment. This course involves two weeks of rehearsal outside of the regular school day at the end of the process so that the play can be performed in its entirety while adding technical elements and costumes. Recent productions include The Shape of Things, Durango, The Wooden Heart, She Kills Monsters, What I Did Last Summer, Humpty Dumpty, and Blight. One Term Course: Winter Term  Prerequisites: Acting: Scene Study or permission of the instructor.