Science

The Physics Foundations course serves as a student’s first introduction to science in the upper school. This initial term of 9th-grade physics familiarizes students with essential scientific skills and concepts through collaborative investigations and design tasks. Emphasizing problem-solving, teamwork, experimental methods, data analysis, and clear communication, students engage in hands-on activities to understand core principles of kinematics and energy.

Prerequisites: None

From the use of antibiotics to the evolution of skin color, this survey course applies the concepts of biology to the real and changing world around us. This course gives students the opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of life, from the evolution of homo sapiens down to the microscopic viruses that invade us. This course focuses on a deeper understanding of the biological concepts of biochemistry, cellular biology, genetics, and evolution while further developing lab skills, data analysis, inferences and reasoning, scientific writing, and presentation skills. Collaborative and independent research projects have students incorporate strategies to process and more deeply understand complex biological concepts and how they play out over time.

Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations. Honors section with departmental permission.

Chemistry Foundations covers essential core content while providing hands-on opportunities for students to learn how to think like a chemist. Students learn to use the language of chemistry to describe physical and chemical changes in matter. They explore atomic structure and theory, ionic and covalent bonding, and the structure and organization of the Periodic Table in order to understand how atoms function both individually and when bonded together. In addition, students will examine the nature of chemical reactions in theory and in practice. Students investigate environmental chemistry and pollution while applying it to issues of injustice in the US through an independent research project. Students further develop skills around conducting labs, scientific research, synthesis in scientific writing, and creating formal scientific posters. 

Prerequisites: Physics Foundations and Physics Applications -Engineering (previously Conceptual Physics) or departmental permission. Honors section with departmental permission.

This course is the second term of 9th-grade science following the Physics Foundations course. It offers students an opportunity to further their understanding of physics principles through engineering. Throughout this course, students delve into the practical application of physics, specifically focusing on engineering principles such as design, fabrication, and iteration. Students engage in hands-on exploration and experimentation, applying data analysis and feedback to inform their engineering designs. Topics covered include electricity and circuitry, providing a foundation for understanding how these concepts drive engineering innovation.

Prerequisites: Physics Foundations. Honors level offered only with departmental permission.

Evolutionary biology studies how organisms change over time. This course seeks to understand the evolution of life on various scales, ranging from the molecular level to how populations respond to various environmental conditions over time. Included in this course are discussions of how DNA is used to make proteins, how mutations impact the genetic code, how new species evolve, and how various species are related to one another (i.e., phylogenetics). In addition, students are introduced to the laboratory techniques that have driven our understanding of these topics, including DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, PCR, and bacterial transformation. Emphasis on effective communication of experimental design and findings through primary source research, formal reports, and presentations is an integral part of this course.
Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations and Biology Foundations.

The most basic function of the brain is to keep you alive. Your 100 billion neurons regulate breathing, heart rate, hunger and sleep cycle. But perhaps what fascinates us the most about the human brain is how it goes beyond these basic functions and generates emotions, perceptions, and thoughts that guide behavior. In this course, we take a deep dive into brain science, exploring everything from the biochemistry of a neuron, to the latest research on psychological disorders such as depression and addiction. Topics in this course include neural anatomy and physiology, synaptic transmission and action potential, neurochemistry, and the impact of substances on the brain. Students have the opportunity to attend the Harvard MEDscience program to participate in the Nervous System patient simulation as part of this course.

Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations and Biology Foundations.

Biochemistry explores the fascinating intersections of chemistry and biology. This course delves into the molecular processes and reactions necessary for life. Students first review the foundations of chemistry while focusing on the importance of carbon in living things. In this course, students explore a selection of topics ranging from determining concentration and molarity of solutions, the significance of water, and the structure and function of biological molecules as applied to food science, nutrition, and metabolism. Students do an independent research project to learn about a personal interest and how it applies to the concepts of biochemistry. Honors goes deeper into advanced concepts, prepares students for college science with higher-stakes assessments such as closed-note tests, and requires algebra to solve problem sets. 

Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations and Biology Foundations.

This interdisciplinary course explores the physical and chemical properties of matter.  Students learn about the challenging fields of thermodynamics, thermal and chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, and buffers.  In this course, students gain a thorough understanding of how chemical systems behave and respond to external stress through hands-on laboratory experiences and problem sets. Throughout the course, lab skills and writing are emphasized in order to practice effective scientific communication and inquiry-based design challenges.

Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations and Biology Foundations.

In Quantitative Analysis, students build on the basic chemical concepts and skills learned in the foundations course. The concept of a mole is explored and students learn to predict the products of chemical reactions. In this lab-based course, students conduct a variety of experiments and use stoichiometry to quantitatively analyze their findings and the efficiency of their experimentation. Finally, students explore molarity and solution chemistry, including acids and bases, through both conceptual and quantitative lenses.

Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations and Biology Foundations.

Inspired by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, this robotics course challenges students to design, build, and justify a robotic system under real-world constraints. Students learn not just how to build robots, but how engineers think—balancing budgets, managing risk, learning from failure, and communicating technical ideas. The course emphasizes problem-solving, resilience, and collaboration, culminating in a mission-style final challenge that mirrors how real space missions are designed and executed.

Do not take this course if you plan to attend NuVu.

Prerequisites: Physics Applications: Engineering or departmental permission.

This course explores the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, with a focus on understanding climate change and its implications for sustainable energy solutions. This interdisciplinary course delves into the intricate relationship between energy, environment, and society. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students analyze Earth’s energy budget and the mechanisms driving climate change, evaluating the scientific evidence behind global warming and its consequences. They delve into various sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass energy, investigating the physics principles underlying each source and assessing their environmental impact and scalability. By examining real-world case studies, students gain insights into the practical applications of sustainable energy systems and the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Through collaborative projects and presentations, students develop critical thinking skills and propose innovative solutions to enhance energy sustainability and address the impacts of climate change on a local and global scale. 

Prerequisites: Chemistry Foundations.

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.

This course provides students with an opportunity to learn advanced techniques in molecular biology and their applications in biotechnology. Students delve deeply into advanced topics such as genetic engineering and synthetic biology, with a specific focus on CRISPR technology and how it can be leveraged to address real-world problems in medicine, agriculture, and more. Students travel each week to the BioBuilder learning lab at Allston Labworks for an immersive experience in which students learn the skills and tools of molecular research through an ongoing research project. 

Prerequisites: One Chemistry or Biology Applications course at the Honors level and with departmental permission (Biology Applications: Evolutionary Genetics highly recommended).  Offered at the Honors level only.

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.

This course is intended to give students a more challenging and demanding environment to apply the skills they learned in either Engineering Applications: Robotics (formerly Engineering Design Foundations) or at NuVu and allow them to continue to wrestle and build on solutions to real problems. This course is largely project-based, and students are expected to use class time to research and design solutions to engineering design challenges. All projects are teacher guided but student led, with the goal of learning and using the tools and approaches of the engineering mindset.

Prerequisites: Engineering Applications: Robotics or NuVu. Departmental permission required. Offered at the Honors level only.

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.

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.

An intensive, inquiry-based course in which students pursue advanced, independent scientific research on topics of their own design. Students will engage in the full research process, including literature review, experimental or investigative design, data collection and analysis, and the communication of results through research papers, posters, and/or oral presentations. Throughout the course, students will complete multi-step research assignments and may participate in collaborative or mentored research projects. This course is designed to develop advanced skills in scientific thinking, problem-solving, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and the ethical dissemination of scientific knowledge. It is intended for highly motivated students who are considering pursuing STEM research or related fields at the collegiate level.

Prerequisites: Any Chemistry or Biology Applications course at the Honors level. Departmental permission required. Offered at the Honors level only. The level of research will be equivalent to, if not exceed, what is produced during the course of an SDP. Students will not be able to do a science-specific SDP in the term that they enroll in this course.

Forensics is the application of science to solve crimes using evidence that is admissible in a court of law. A multidisciplinary approach that encourages analytical thinking and problem solving in biology, chemistry, and physics is used. Students may cover the following topics: deductive reasoning, fingerprinting, qualitative analysis of substances such as fingerprints, blood, DNA, document analysis, and ballistics. Along with lab work, students may do research projects, look at the legal aspects of forensic science, take field trips, and solve mock crimes. This class typically culminates in a whole-group project where students apply what they learn to create a crime scene for middle school students to solve. Note: this class touches upon sensitive matters of crimes and violence and deals with medical content and skills which includes simulated blood, needles and sharp objects.

Prerequisites: Biology Foundations