Science

BIOLOGY

Preservation of life in all its forms is crucial to the survival of the planet. Understanding relationships between organisms and between the living and non-living worlds is essential for the preservation of species. This course develops biological concepts using an ecological approach. Topics covered include cell structure and function, plant and animal physiology, reproduction and development, evolution, genetics, taxonomy, and ecology.

INTENSIVE BIOLOGY

This survey course in biology is recommended for the student with a strong interest in science. With a molecular emphasis, this course explores a range of topics including: biochemistry, cells, DNA and genetics, comparative anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution and embryology. The chemical, mathematical, and experimental aspects of biology are explored. Laboratory experiments are an integral part of the course.

EARTH SCIENCE

Following a study of minerals and their chemistry, participants in this course investigate the geology of the NYC area and then widen the investigation to include the Earth’s processes that created local rock formations.  The course includes an exploration of the current theories of plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanism, as mountain builders, followed by a study of the forces that attack Earth’s surface, such as glaciers, stream erosion, and wind.  Meteorology constitutes a large part of the spring semester after the participants collect and analyze weather data during a few weeks in late winter.  Field observations and lab work are integral parts of all the studies.

CHEMISTRY

This course explores the basic principles of chemistry through demonstrations and experiments. Students will have the opportunity to design some of their experiments and to participate in group projects. The content of the course also includes properties of matter, atomic structure and bonding, chemical reactions, chemical formulas and stoichiometry.

INTENSIVE CHEMISTRY

This course is designed for students with a strong interest in science. The topics of atomic structure, bonding, chemical composition, thermodynamics, and equilibrium are given a rigorous quantitative treatment. Emphasis is placed on developing abstract concepts; laboratory experience reflects this approach.

PHYSICS

This course offers a more conceptual and somewhat less rigorous mathematical treatment of physics than that offered by the Intensive Physics course, although similar topics are covered. Elementary algebra and simple trigonometry are utilized in problem solving and are reviewed as required.

INTENSIVE PHYSICS

The following topics will be developed in depth and in a logical sequence: kinematics of straight-line motion with constant acceleration; addition and subtraction of vectors; two-dimensional projectile and relative motion; Newton's laws and their application to the motion of multiple-body devices such as Atwood's machine; circular motion; Newton's law of universal gravitation; planetary and satellite motion; work; kinetic energy; potential energy; conservation of energy; conservation of momentum; simple-harmonic motion; wave motion; reflection, refraction, and interference of light; electrostatics; electronics; and magnetism. Experiments and hands-on activities are an integral part of the course.  Algebra and trigonometry are used to develop the major concepts in physics. Problem solving requires a strong mathematical aptitude.

ADVANCED TOPICS IN BIOLOGY

This course includes an in depth study of a range of topics in cellular and molecular biology, anatomy and physiology of organisms, genetics, embryology, evolution, and ecology. Laboratory investigations play an integral role in the course.

ADVANCED TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY

This will be a laboratory-based course that will investigate concepts through sustained quantitative and qualitative experiments. Topics include kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibria, electrochemistry and organic chemistry. Theories, including chemical bonding, will be used to explain experimental data. A problem solving approach will be emphasized throughout the course.

ADVANCED TOPICS IN PHYSICS

Vector calculus will be used freely to treat the following topics in depth: kinematics and dynamics of a single particle in one and two dimensions, including projectile and non-uniform circular motion; collision in two dimensions; friction; statistics of a rigid body; application of Newton’s laws, torque, linear and angular momentum, and mechanical energy to two-dimensional rigid-body-dynamics problems; gravitation; and simple-harmonic motion.

SCIENCE RESEARCH

This course is open to all students in Forms III through V who are passionate about doing scientific research. In the first year, students will be in a formal research class (Research 1), which meets two times per week. In this course, students will be instructed in all areas of research design, implementation, analysis, and presentation. This will include such skills as the scientific method, proper literary research, formal training in a number of common laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis and statistics, scientific writing and presentation. In addition, students will develop skills in reading and critiquing journal articles. By the end of the first year, students will chose an independent research project (with an appropriate mentor) to pursue in subsequent years (Research 2 & 3). During the second and third years, students will pursue their independent research projects under the guidance of their mentor.

SEMESTER SCIENCE ELECTIVES IN FORMS V – VI

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

Animal behavior has developed into an exciting field of scientific research. Species exhibit extremely complex social interactions, which dictate the lives of each individual in that society. This course explores several of these societies, ranging from insects to birds to fish to primates. This course takes an evolutionary perspective to both examine theories of behavior and specific case studies. Topics covered include territoriality, mating, feeding, communication, and the relationship of animal to human behavior.

ASTRONOMY

Topics include positioning, star-formation, anatomy of the sun and moon, and star-death. Using a computerized map of the sky, students investigate the components of the universe. In this way, they learn the fundamentals of amateur astronomy and get a glimpse into professional astronomy and cosmology.

ECOLOGY

Fieldston and other nearby areas offer unusual opportunities for the study of ecology. The change of seasons in the spring term presents an opportunity to observe awakening ecosystems and to appreciate more fully the effects of abiotic factors on the ecosystem. The stark contrast between densely developed and undeveloped land so clearly seen in the Fieldston area provides rich opportunities for field study, the main activity of this course.

ETHICAL ISSUES IN SCIENCE

Selected problems involving the environment, genetics, and human reproductive biology are examined to study scientific issues involved in making personal and political decisions. In the past, issues such as genetic engineering, the use of barrier islands, waste disposal, pollution of air and water resources, endangered species, agricultural and human pest management, land management in New York City, abortion, and organ and tissue transplants have been studied.

EVOLUTION

In this course, we will trace the evolution of life on earth. We will begin with a discussion of what evolution is and focus on how we know what we know about the evolutionary process. We will continue with an investigation of the mechanisms that causes evolution on the population and the genetic levels. Finally, we will investigate the major controversies concerning the evolutionary paradigm today: the primacy of natural selection in evolution, tempo and mode of speciation, micro vs. macroevolution, the difference between scientific and nonscientific explanations for the appearance of life on earth, and to what extent human behavior has been shaped by evolution

MARINE BIOLOGY

In this course, students explore the close relationship between water and life. The first part of the course focuses on how life evolved in water. The second part of the course studies the evolution, morphology, and behavior of the diverse organisms that live in or near water. In the last part of the course, students explore the ecology and environmental problems of five major marine ecosystems: the mangrove forest, the coral reef, the rocky intertidal, the sandy beach, and the deep-sea benthos.

METEOROLOGY

This course explores the structure and physics of the Earth's atmosphere. It will study the processes that control and influence our daily weather and climate. The course will make extensive use of global and regional data sets to analyze long-term properties of the atmosphere. Current data (satellite, weather maps, etc.) will be used to maintain a weather forecast center. Computer models and data analysis will be used extensively.

COMPARATIVE GEOLOGY

This course covers basic geology and geological processes. Students will study plate tectonics, chemistry of minerals, and mineral and rock identification. The geological history of the East Coast of the U. S. will also be studied. Field trips will be an integral part of this course. Geological histories of Maine/Labrador, the NYC area, and New Zealand will also be compared.

SCIENCE RESEARCH
 
This course is open to all students in Forms III through V who are passionate about doing scientific research.  In the first year, students will be in a formal research class (Research 1), which meets two times per week.  In this course, students will be instructed in all areas of research design, implementation, analysis, and presentation.  This will include such skills as the scientific method, proper literary research, formal training in a number of common laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis and statistics, scientific writing and presentation.  In addition, students will develop skills in reading and critiquing journal articles.  By the end of the first year, students will chose an independent research project (with an appropriate mentor) to pursue in subsequent years (Research 2 & 3).  During the second and third years, students will pursue their independent research projects under the guidance of their mentor.  A minimum commitment of two years is needed for this course sequence.

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY: STATES OF HEALTH AND DISEASE

Are you curious about how your body works and how health is maintained?  Have you wondered what causes diseases and how they are treated today? In this course, we will dive into a deep exploration of the human body and its amazing functions.  We will take a close look at the nervous, endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems, understanding how they function to maintain health and what can happen when disease strikes.  We will address the major health issues affecting the world today, such as the rise in cancers and the increasing threats of global infectious diseases. Additionally, we will also look at the pros and cons of new technologies in treating disease, such as advances in surgery, drugs and gene therapy.