The Science department offers a laboratory based curriculum in which students form conclusions about scientific phenomena based on observable events. All courses stress the historical experiments that have led to current theory while providing hands-on experiences in which students investigate the world around them. In the Middle School, seventh graders study life science, and eighth graders are introduced to the physical sciences. Students may enroll in Biology in the ninth or tenth grades, followed by Chemistry and Physics. Advanced Placement courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are offered to students who have shown the aptitude and interest requisite for these college-level courses. Environmental Science is offered to students in grades 10 through 12. Students must complete two lab science courses in the Upper School to fulfill the graduation requirement for science. The two required science courses must include one biological science (biology, AP biology, environmental science) and one physical science (chemistry, physics, AP chemistry, AP physics). All graduating seniors must have completed at least one year of science at The Williams School.

Life Science (Grade 7)
This course is a laboratory-based program designed to acquaint students with the scientific method. The course begins with a unit on ecology that explores interactions between populations and their environment. The evolution of life is introduced with a study of cell anatomy and physiology, followed by a comparative study of the five kingdoms. Study skills, note taking and laboratory techniques are emphasized throughout the year.

Physical Science (Grade 8)
In this course, the students investigate the physical world, exploring basic principles of general chemistry in the first semester and Newtonian physics in the second. The course continues to emphasize the use of scientific method incorporating quantitative data analysis and problem solving skills. The fall semester includes study of the physical properties of matter and history of atomic theory. In the spring, students investigate their physical world through experiments in force, energy, and motion.

Biology (Grade 9, 10)
This lab course explores ecological, evolutionary, genetic, and physiological relationships. Laboratory experiments emphasize the use of scientific method during investigation of the chemical and physical principles governing biological processes. Completion of Biology fulfills one lab science credit for graduation.

Chemistry (Grades 10-12)
Chemistry focuses on the fundamental concepts and theories that explain the physical and chemical behavior of matter. Regular laboratory experiments integrate or complement the abstract concepts presented in class as the students develop scientific lab technique and apply the scientific method. Topics covered are atomic theory, chemical bonding, nomenclature, stoichiometry, kinetics, thermochemistry, acid-base chemistry, equilibrium systems, and electrochemistry. Additional topics may include nuclear chemistry, organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, material science, and chemical engineering. Prerequisites: (10th Grade) Completion of Algebra II. (11th and 12th Grade) Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, Intermediate Algebra or Algebra II.

Honors Chemistry (Grades 10-12)
Honors Chemistry is available to students who are interested in a more rigorous course of study in chemistry, or who plan to continue their study of chemistry into the AP level. In addition, this course prepares students for the SAT II Chemistry College Board examination. Honors Chemistry covers the same topics as Chemistry, but moves at a faster pace and develops the quantitative and theoretical aspects of each concept in greater depth. Departmental placement is required for students to be enrolled in Honors Chemistry. Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra I and II.

Physics (Grades 11-12)
Physics focuses on the fundamental concepts behind physics through problem solving at a basic level and investigative laboratory experiments. This course endeavors to provide students as many opportunities as possible to have hands-on experience and do physics. Topics covered are classical mechanics, fluids, heat, sound, light, relativity, and electricity and magnetism. Concepts are applied to physics-related developments in technology. This course provides a firm foundation for further study of physics at the college level in the field of humanities, business, or liberal arts. Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra II and Geometry.

Honors Physics (Grades 11-12)
Honors Physics is available to students who plan to continue their study of physics into the AP level and further at the college level in fields of science, medicine, engineering, or technology. This course prepares students for the SAT II Physics College Board Exam. It is a comprehensive course of study that covers classical and modern physics with in-depth problem solving and a combination of traditional and guided inquiry laboratory investigations. Topics covered are Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermal physics, waves, optics, relativity, and electricity and magnetism. If time permits, atomic and nuclear physics will also be introduced. Department placement is required for students to be enrolled in Honors Physics. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra II and Geometry. Concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calculus is highly recommended.

Environmental Science (Grades 10 -12)
This course explores many environmental topics including ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation of resources, water and air pollution, land use, energy, and waste disposal. This course will also track current events in environmental policy, and discuss the factors involved in environmental decision-making. Students apply the scientific method and learn the skills necessary to explore environmental problems during lab and field activities, including ongoing habitat quality and biodiversity studies. Prerequisites: Students must be in grades 10-12 and have completed Biology.

AP Biology (Grade 11, 12)
AP Biology is the equivalent of a one-year college introductory biology course. The course covers the conceptual areas of molecular and cellular biology, heredity and evolution, diversity of life, and ecology. The textbook and laboratory experiments emphasize conceptual understanding of the processes of scientific inquiry and application of biological knowledge to real-world applications. All students are expected to take the AP examination in the spring. Students planning to take this course and AP Chemistry are advised to take AP Chemistry first. Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry, and department approval.

AP Chemistry (Grade 11, 12)
AP Chemistry is a second-year course equivalent to a college level introductory chemistry course and may lead to advanced college credit or placement. This rigorous and challenging course of study follows the national curriculum integrating of many of the topics introduced in Honors Chemistry to problem solve at an even higher level. A significant amount of independent learning is expected and class time is used to complete extensive lab applications and address higher order problems. The completion of a summer assignment and participation in the AP Exam are course requirements. Honors Chemistry is the best preparation for AP Chemistry; students from Chemistry can also be successful, but may be assigned additional summer work. Department approval is required for students to be enrolled in AP Chemistry. Prerequisites: Completion of Honors Chemistry and Algebra II.

AP-B Physics (Grade 12)
AP Physics is a second-year course equivalent to a college level algebra-trigonometry based introductory physics course and may lead to a year of advanced college credit. This is a survey course with an aggressively paced in-depth coverage of Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermal physics, waves, optics, electricity and magnetism and limited coverage of atomic and nuclear physics. AP Physics focuses heavily on advanced problem solving with a laboratory component that is a combination of traditional labs, inquiry based labs, and open-ended student-designed labs. A summer assignment and participation in the AP exam are course requirements. Honors Physics provides the most advantageous preparation for this course. However, highly successful students from Physics who receive department approval may enroll in AP Physics. They will be required to complete a more comprehensive summer assignment than those coming from Honors Physics in preparation for the heightened level of problem-solving they will encounter. Department placement is required for students to be enrolled in AP-B Physics. Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra II, Geometry, Precalculus, and Honors Physics.

Nancy Spillane
Chair

Galina Frisby

Amy Mazurek

Fred Oliver

Rachel Thomas-Shapiro

Gaines Tyler