2 credits

Juniors, Seniors, and Sophomores who complete Physics and Chemistry in their 9th grade year

AP Biology is a full-year class that is organized around the Four Big Ideas: 1) The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life; 2) Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and to maintain homeostasis; 3) Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes; 4) Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties. Lectures, discussions, labs and projects support these ideas and are designed to show the connections that exist between them. AP Biology is a challenging course with many long-term labs and opportunities for student-directed research. The class is designed to be a first year college level biology course. It is fast moving and demanding; the successful student has a strong track record in science classes and is interested in the subject. AP Biology can be taken as a student’s only biology class or it can be taken after CP or Honors Biology. Text: Biology in Focus (Campbell and Reece). PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Honors or CP Chemistry and successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus. Students who achieve an A- or higher in prerequisite courses usually are more successful in AP Biology.  A content/skills assessment will be administered at the beginning of the course to help determine if AP Biology is the correct placement. Students opting to take the AP exam are responsible for the exam fee of approximately $100. (Fee reduction applications are available in the school counseling office.)

This course is offered every other year (Offered in 2025-2026)

Juniors, Seniors, and Sophomores who have completed Honors Chemistry

AP Chemistry is equivalent to a college level general chemistry course that provides rigorous study in four major areas: structure of matter, states of matter, reaction, and descriptive chemistry. Students must be highly motivated to tackle this rigorous course. The class is structured around the six big ideas articulated in the AP Chemistry curriculum framework provided by the College Board.  A special emphasis is placed on the seven science practices, which capture important aspects of the work that scientists engage in, with learning objectives that combine content with inquiry and reasoning skills. At the end of the class, students demonstrate a basic understanding of, and the ability to apply, mathematical solutions to problems involving atomic theory and structures, chemical bonding, nuclear chemistry, kinetic theory, solutions, reaction types, stoichiometry, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, and descriptive chemistry. Evaluation is based on homework, lab reports, and tests. Much of the class involves out-of-class homework and in-class lab work. Text: Chemistry, A Molecular Approach, 5th edition (N.J. Tro). PREREQUISITE: It is recommended that students have a B+ or higher in Honors Chemistry or an A in CP Chemistry and have completed or be enrolled in Honors Algebra 2 or a higher level mathematics course. Students opting to take the AP exam are responsible for the exam fee of approximately $100. (Fee reduction applications are available in the school counseling office.)

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
General Biology introduces students to the living environment at a slower pace than CP Biology, with less target vocabulary. Topics include: biochemistry, cellular biology, ecology, genetics, patterns of heredity, evolution, and using a systems approach to understanding human anatomy and physiology. Students continue to develop their study skills. Laboratory investigations are correlated to the Next Generation Science Standards and are designed to develop students’ critical thinking abilities, while allowing them to make relevant connections to current scientific events. Students are evaluated on laboratory work, cumulative tests, and daily classwork; they are expected to show proficiency in using evidence to defend their claims. This course satisfies the biology graduation requirement. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Chemistry or permission of the science department chair.

Sophomores

Providing a basic understanding of the science of chemistry, this class covers topics such as the periodic table, atomic structure, chemical formulas, chemical equations, principles of bonding, energy and energy transfer, biochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Less emphasis is placed on the mathematical aspects than in CP Chemistry. The focus is on the principles of chemistry necessary for the world around us. This course includes significant laboratory work and is designed to meet college entrance requirements for most institutions. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Foundations of Science or Foundations of STEM.

Juniors and Seniors

CP Anatomy and Physiology is a laboratory science course that provides a rigorous, in-depth study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body, emphasizing the integration of structure and function. The focus is on the chemical, cellular, and tissue levels of organization, and the structure and function of the histological, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems.  In addition, special emphasis is placed on the interrelatedness of these body systems and how they relate to human disease and disorder. Laboratory work includes microscopic study of cells and tissues, dissection of preserved specimens (or computer based alternative) and simple physiological tests. This course is designed to meet the needs of students entering nursing and health-related science programs at the post-secondary level. It requires a strong ability to memorize. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of CP/Honors/AP Biology class, CP/Honors Chemistry class, and completion of or concurrent enrollment in CP/Honors Algebra II.

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

CP Biology is a laboratory course designed to meet college entrance requirements; it prepares students for the content and workload expectations of either AP Biology or other introductory-level college science classes. This course is not necessarily a prerequisite for AP Biology. Topics include biochemistry, cellular biology, ecology, genetics, patterns of heredity, evolution, and using a systems approach to understanding human anatomy and physiology. Laboratory investigations are correlated to the Next Generation Science Standards and are designed to develop students’ critical thinking abilities, while allowing them to make relevant connections to current scientific events. Students are evaluated on their ability to integrate scientific knowledge, work independently, and communicate scientifically. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of CP Chemistry or permission of the science department chair.

Sophomores

CP Chemistry is a rigorous introductory-level science course that forms connections to the world by investigating natural phenomena. The course covers basic, classical chemistry, with emphasis on the theoretical and mathematical aspects of the science. Topics include atomic structure, bonding principles, the periodic table, chemical formulas, moles and mole theory, equations and stoichiometry, the kinetic molecular theory, solution chemistry, thermochemistry, acid/base theory, and organic and nuclear chemistry. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of CP Foundations of Science, Foundations of Science, or Foundations of STEM with the permission of the teacher. Successful completion of an algebra class is highly recommended.

Juniors and Seniors
1 science credit
Students in this course tackle some of the major questions in ecology and evolutionary biology: What factors influence an ecological community? How have species changed and evolved? How have humans changed the environment? What is the fate of our natural world? Using natural resources and biological communities at the Hildene farm, the course employs technology, observation and natural history to answer these questions. Students are introduced to a broad range of techniques used in the field to collect and analyze data, giving them a taste of what is required to be a field biologist. Students read essays and papers from some of the leading ecology and evolutionary biologists, develop their own experiments, and use critical thinking to process data. Fieldwork (including maintenance of a detailed field notebook), research, labs, and presentations are all important facets of this project-based class. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Biology, CP Biology, or the permission of the science department chair.

1 science credit

Juniors and Seniors

Ethnobotany connects botany with human tradition through hands-on, project-based learning. Students develop their understanding of plant anatomy, physiology, and ecology, as well as uses of plants as medicine, materials, food, and cultural touch points through scientific inquiry and practical skill-building. In addition to labs and field work, students learn how to make teas, salves, tonics, fiber, dyes, and more out of plants harvested from the school garden and surrounding ecosystems. Students also examine the links between botanical knowledge and human society, with emphases on Indigenous perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge, as well as reflection on their own relationships with the natural world. This class takes place primarily at the Farm and Food Studies classroom at Hildene Farm. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in Biology.

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
1 social studies elective credit or 1 science credit
Students explore systems theory as it applies to the farm, the natural world, and the communities they are a part of. Specific areas of study include: living and nonliving systems, fundamentals of sustainable farming, and agricultural practices, including practical lessons in harvesting and preparing food. Students also explore the social, political, economic, and environmental challenges associated with developing a sustainable local food system. Students learn through visits to local farms, conversations with agricultural professionals, and participation in Burr and Burton’s farm to school initiative. This course provides students with the opportunity to explore topics through research, problem-based learning, fieldwork, and reflective writing. It is based primarily at Burr and Burton’s Hildene farm classroom. PREREQUISITE:

9th graders

CP Foundations of Science introduces students to the process of scientific investigation, using concepts in physical science and mathematics. Students primarily use a modeling approach to discover the basic principles (laws) governing matter and energy. This approach emphasizes that in the physical sciences, mathematical models are built to represent nature. The first such mathematical model students encounter is that of an object moving at constant velocity. As the course progresses, the models of nature become more sophisticated. Students discover the models (equations) through a process of scientific investigation, rather than being told what they are. The course explores topics such as linear motion, Newton’s Laws, energy, waves (sound and light), and electricity. PREREQUISITE: Students should be enrolled in CP Algebra or a higher level math class.

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

1 science or 1 computing/digital exploration credit

Biotechnology is an emerging field responsible for creating vaccines, analyzing human genetics, developing modern medicines, and curing disease. This course introduces important concepts in modern DNA and protein science with an emphasis on real world applications in drug discovery and development. Students learn about the Central Dogma of molecular biology and about emerging techniques in the biotechnology industry, from both a scientific and a business perspective. Twelve major laboratory investigations embody many of the fundamental techniques and concepts of modern molecular biology, including basic micropipetting, recombinant DNA technology (cutting and pasting genes into bacteria), DNA fingerprinting, gene amplification by PCR, and CRISPR Cas 9 gene editing technology.  Students begin the course by researching local biotech companies, their products, their net worth, and job opportunities and prerequisites. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of CP/Honors Chemistry,  CP/Honors Biology and successful completion of or current enrollment in Algebra 2.  Students who achieve a B+ or higher in prerequisite courses usually are more successful in Intro to Biotechnology. A content/skills assessment is administered at the beginning of the course to help determine if Intro to Biotechnology is the correct placement.

This course is offered every other year (Offered in 2025-2026)

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

1 science or 1 computing/digital exploration credit

With the James Webb telescope, we are able to observe some of the earliest galaxies and the atmospheres of exoplanets. New ways to observe our universe like LIGO (gravitational waves) and ice cube (high energy cosmic rays) mean that we have entered the era of multi-messenger astronomy. We can look further back in time and at larger portions of sky, allowing us to better understand the origin of the universe, its fate and its composition. In this lab/activity-based course, students investigate the stars, galaxies and planets to better understand the Universe and the objects in our Universe. Discussion topics include the Big Bang and inflation, galaxy formation and classification, quasars, stellar evolution, black holes, supernovae, dark matter and dark energy, and exoplanets. In order to understand these topics, students explore important concepts in physics and astrophysics, including nuclear physics, Newton’s Laws, waves, electromagnetic radiation, Kepler’s Law, and Special and General Relativity. Simulations are employed as students analyze geophysical and astrophysical data to understand the theoretical and experimental methods that have been used to learn the history of and to predict the future of Earth, the Milky Way Galaxy, and the Universe. Students enrolled in this course who participate in the Pulsar Search Collaboratory also have the option to earn college credit through that program. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of CP Foundations of Science or CP/Honors Physics 1 and successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in CP/Honors Algebra 2.

1 science or 1 computing/digital exploration credit

Robotics Engineering is a "multi-craft" course that delves deeper into the field of robotics and integrates multiple disciplines, including computer engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and manufacturing. Students begin with learning fundamentals in robotics, using the Tetrix system and Arduino sensors, to successfully build robots that accomplish various tasks while competing in engineering challenges. As students progress in their learning, they may work towards the completion of more advanced, honors projects that include coding and building robots from the ground up. Honors students gain a foundation in drafting and design principles using 3-D printers; they continue to apply and use their skills and knowledge in the construction and programming of robotic systems, including wheeled mobile robots, drones (unmanned aerial systems), autonomous vehicles, and industrial robot manipulators. PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Foundations of Science or CP/Honors Physics 1. Completion of Robotics: Foundations is NOT a requirement to enroll in this course.

Sophomores, Juniors , Seniors, and Freshmen on an honors math track
This is an algebra-based physics class. The course includes topics in classical physics, such as uniform motion, uniformly accelerated motion, Newtonian mechanics, momentum, energy, waves, optics, and nuclear physics. The design of the course is based on modeling, in which students learn physics by constructing scientific models that underlie each unit specifically (and physics in general). Where possible, each unit begins with an experiment, through which students begin to flesh out one or more physical relationships, serving as a basis for a scientific model. Freshmen enrolled in Honors Geometry can opt to take Honors Physics 1, which not only covers topics in CP Physics 1 in greater depth, but also covers additional content. Students will be better prepared for and more successful in Honors Physics 2, AP Physics, and college physics if they have first taken CP/Honors Physics 1. PREREQUISITE: CP students must have completed or be enrolled in CP Algebra 1. Students pursuing honors credit must complete additional coursework online in trigonometry, as well as additional lab work, and are required to independently meet with the teacher to discuss progress.

1 elective credit 

Internships are available through Farm and Food Studies, focusing on vegetable production and management. Interested students should see Work Based Learning for more details on the internship process and should reach out to the Farm and Food Studies coordinator.

1 elective credit

In Farm to Plate, students develop the basic skills and knowledge needed to grow and prepare farm-fresh food. Students work as a team to grow, maintain, process, and cook vegetables and other crops at the Hildene Farm gardens and greenhouse. While developing these skills, students practice collaborating with peers, engaging in hands-on learning, observing natural phenomena, and growing toward achievement of personal and academic goals. Students share the experience of creating meals and recipes together, and they contribute to food access programs in the local community. They also have opportunities to learn how food interacts with the environment and their bodies, and to explore the farm and surrounding ecosystems. This class is designed to make agricultural science accessible to all learners, and includes opportunities for peer mentorship for interested students. This class takes place primarily at the Farm & Food Studies classroom at Hildene Farm. Space is limited; students must consult with their school counselor to enroll.

Juniors and Seniors

Who doesn’t love to solve a murder? Forensic Science is an introductory class that uses an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on practical real-life connections. Forensic Science is designed around authentic performance assessments, with students working in teams to solve crimes using scientific knowledge and reasoning. It involves all areas of science, including biology, anatomy,

chemistry, physics, and earth science, with an emphasis on reasoning and critical thinking. In addition, students incorporate the use of technology, communication skills, language arts, art, mathematics, social sciences and criminology. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of a chemistry class. Students should have completed biology or be concurrently enrolled in a biology class.

Freshmen
This first-year, lab-based science course focuses on the experimental nature of science and the conceptual nature of physical science. Mathematics at the level of pre-algebra is used to reinforce conceptual understanding and to provide an understanding of the integration of science and math. By focusing on concepts and how they relate to each other and to the everyday world, students come to appreciate and understand the scientific principles that govern the physical world. Students explore topics such as linear motion, Newton’s Laws, energy, waves (sound and light), electricity, and earth and space.

2 credits (1 math, 1 science)

This year-long entry level course provides 9th grade students with a solid foundation in applied mathematics and science. Students gain a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of mathematics and science. Through a combination of hands-on labs, data collection, and analysis, students develop essential skills that bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications. They build valuable skills in mathematical modeling of linear equations and scientific inquiry, setting a strong foundation for further studies in mathematics and science. Students successfully completing this course may advance to Conceptual Geometry or CP Algebra 1, and General or CP Chemistry.

2 credits (1 math, 1 science)

This year-long entry level course provides 9th grade students with a solid foundation in applied mathematics and science. Students gain a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of mathematics and science. Through a combination of hands-on labs, data collection, and analysis, students develop essential skills that bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications. They build valuable skills in mathematical modeling of linear equations and scientific inquiry, setting a strong foundation for further studies in mathematics and science. Students successfully completing this course may advance to Conceptual Geometry or CP Algebra 1, and General or CP Chemistry.

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

Honors Biology is a laboratory-based course designed to provide additional rigor for students interested in the sciences who want to challenge themselves with greater independence in their learning at an accelerated pace. Students cover the topics of biochemistry, cellular biology, ecology, genetics, patterns of heredity, evolution, and anatomy and physiology.  Students work throughout the semester to develop laboratory skills and are required to complete an independent research project as part of their final exam. Students also learn additional quantitative skills, such as spreadsheet management and introductory statistical analyses.  This course is not necessarily a prerequisite for AP Biology.  PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Honors or CP Chemistry and successful completion of or current enrollment in Algebra II.  Students who achieve a B+ or higher in prerequisite courses are usually more successful in Honors Biology.  A content/skills assessment will be administered at the beginning of the course to help determine if Honors Biology is the correct placement.

Sophomores

Designed for students with a strong interest in the sciences, this introductory, lab-based course presents foundational chemistry concepts similar to those discussed in CP Chemistry, but with more emphasis on the theoretical and mathematical aspects. The pace of the class is faster and the amount of independent work is higher. Areas covered include atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding principles, chemical formulas, moles and mole theory, equations and stoichiometry, the gas laws, solution chemistry, thermochemistry, and acid/base theory. PREREQUISITES: Students must have demonstrated excellent work in previous math and science courses and have a high level of interest in these areas. This is an accelerated class; it is recommended that students have a B+ or higher in Honors Physics 1 or an A in CP Foundations of Science. Students interested in enrolling in this course must have the endorsements of their math and science teachers.

1 science credit
This course provides students with a foundation in the skills and understanding needed to develop and maintain a successful farm or garden. Working on site at the Hildene farm and greenhouse, students plant, weed, and harvest crops, experiment with growing techniques, and investigate soil health, nutrient cycling, and land management practices. Students explore and study the ecosystems that surround the farm. Hands-on, inquiry-based lab experiences are complemented by readings, projects, and conversations with agricultural professionals. Students have the unique experience of producing food for our local food system. NOTE: This course does not have a prerequisite, but it does not replace or fulfill the Foundations of Science requirement.

* This course is offered to students who have applied and been accepted to Target.  The course is personalized to meet the needs of each student participant, and the teacher modifies the instruction and assessment plans to promote learning.