Physical Science

Course Description - This course consists of an introduction to Physics and Chemistry. Concepts of space and time, forces and motion, matter and energy are explored with a laboratory-based component. Students learn how and why the physical universe, in which they live, operates and the principles and laws behind the workings of physical and chemical matter in their world. This course is offered to all incoming freshmen and is open to juniors and seniors who are not taking the full Chemistry and Physics courses. No prerequisites are needed for this course; however, students should have some Algebra background or be taking an Algebra I course concurrently. Because the majority of the students who take the course are freshmen, outlining skills, laboratory procedures and the scientific method of answering science questions are taught.
Philosophy of the Program - This is a course that introduces students to the world of matter and energy in a way that helps them expand their understanding of the world around them. Students will recognize the need to develop high-level cognitive skills and draw conclusions from analyzing data. The wonder of the universe from subatomic particles to the movement of the planets helps students to recognize the order and intelligence behind the universe. Capitalizing on the format of the assessments in the textbook, students are given the opportunity to reach their academic potential through formulating, hypothesizing, designing experiments, using models and graphs, calculating, analyzing and synthesizing data.

General Biology

Course Description - This is an introductory survey course of biological principles and explorations, including laboratory and field work. The students will be introduced to principles of cell biology, botany, zoology, genetics, evolution and ecology. The six kingdoms of life system will be studied, inviting the students to explore species belonging to each of the kingdoms through laboratory and field work. The curriculum will encompass the standards set by the National Science Educators, the Science Curriculum Framework of the State of Connecticut, and the science curriculum set by the Diocese of Norwich for Secondary Schools.
Philosophy of the Program - This course will be taught with the underlying principles of God as creator and sustainer of the universe, the dignity of the human person as His greatest creation, and the responsibility of humankind toward making our planet Earth hospitable and habitable through the knowledge gained in the study of this Biology course. The goal of all education is truth, and the truths to be explored in this Biology course will result in defining and producing scientifically literate students, capable of taking their place in society as responsible citizens who will respect life in all its forms and stages and contribute to the building up of the environment on a local and global level. Because students learn best by doing, laboratory work is an important component to the curriculum where students are able to engage in the scientific method and laboratory procedures. Ownership of the curriculum will be very evident in this student-based approach. As much as possible, students will be encouraged to relate the course content to real life situations that will open their minds to the wonder of God working in the universe and in their lives. The Catholic Church positions regarding ethical and moral topics, i.e., evolution, stem cell research, contraceptives and abortion, will be integrated in the program when necessary.

Honors Biology

Course Description - This a course of biological principles and explorations, including laboratory and field work. The students will be introduced to principles of cell biology, botany, zoology, genetics, evolution and ecology. The six kingdoms of life system will be studied, inviting the students to explore species belonging to each of the kingdoms through laboratory and field work. Because it is an honors course, the students will have a more in depth study of the principles within the core curriculum and will move at a more accelerated pace and laboratory work will also be more extensive. The curriculum will encompass the standards set by the National Science Educators, the Science Curriculum Framework of the State of Connecticut, and the science curriculum set by the Diocese of Norwich for Secondary Schools.
Philosophy of the Program - This course will be taught with the underlying principles of God as creator and sustainer of the universe, the dignity of the human person as His greatest creation, and the responsibility of humankind toward making our planet Earth hospitable and habitable through the knowledge gained in the study of this course. The goal of all education is truth, and the truths to be explored in this Biology course will result in defining and producing scientifically literate students, capable of taking their place in society as responsible citizens who will respect life in all its forms and stages and contribute to the building up of the environment on a local and global level. Because students learn best by doing, laboratory work is an important component to the curriculum where students are able to engage in the scientific method and laboratory procedures. Ownership of the curriculum will be very evident in this student-based approach. As much as possible, students will be encouraged to relate the course content to real life situations that will open their minds to the wonder of God working in the universe and in their lives. The Catholic Church positions regarding ethical and moral topics, i.e., evolution, stem cell research, contraceptives and abortion, will be integrated in the program when necessary.

Honors Chemistry

Course Description - This course is an introduction to matter, its forms and structures. The major concepts of chemistry to be covered include atomic and subatomic structures, mixtures, compounds, solutions, chemical bonds, and chemical reactions with an emphasis on stoichiometry. Students will be introduced to the periodic table of elements, formulas, acids and bases, organic and nuclear chemistry, including the chemistry of life. Scientific notation and the metric system (SI) will be used throughout the course, which will involve algebraic manipulations, exponential growth, logarithms, graphing and the interpretation of graphs. The course is open to all juniors and seniors. The curriculum will encompass the standards set by the National Science Educators, the Science Curriculum Framework of the State of Connecticut, and the science curriculum set by the Diocese of Norwich for Secondary Schools. This course is open to juniors and seniors with approval of the teacher.
Philosophy of the Program- This course will be taught with the underlying principle of God as creator and sustainer of the universe. The structure of matter and its behavioral interaction will unfold for the student the patterns of matter that suggest a plan for the universe that bespeaks a higher Wisdom than man. Students will understand that the purpose for studying chemistry is to further explore and unfold the wonder of how matter acts, reacts and changes form in the universe and in their individual lives. Because chemistry is a fact of our everyday lives, the application of theory will be emphasized throughout the program.

Conceptual Physics

Course Description - Topics covered in the curriculum are the typical concepts of any basic physics course:  Mechanics, Kinematics, Electricity and Magnetism, Thermodynamics, Light and Sound Waves and Nuclear Physics.  The course is usually open to seniors or juniors. The curriculum will encompass the standards set by the National Science Educators, the Science Curriculum Framework of the State of Connecticut, and the science curriculum set by the Diocese of Norwich for Secondary Schools.
Philosophy of the Program - The purpose of this program is to maximize the use of students’ personal experience in the everyday world in which they live.  Students are exposed to this course in order to understand this world and the order that has come about through its Creator.  It is a course that requires higher level cognitive skills, challenging the students to their highest academic potential.  Students learn by discovery and doing in this program and by expanding this knowledge through comprehensive and thought-provoking questions. It is especially in a course of this nature that students learn to recognize misconceptions of their world and develop a clearer and more accurate understanding of matter, energy and their changes.