Science

In this course students are introduced to major unifying themes in biology, which focus on the relationships between structure, function, and the maintenance of homeostasis in living systems. Special emphasis is placed on helping students make connections between the complex nature of biological principles and their own lives through readings, an extensive laboratory curriculum, and discussion of current global and local issues. After a comprehensive study of ecology, students finish the first term by mastering the basic chemical and physical principles and relating those concepts to body systems. The second term is devoted to a continued systematic approach to human anatomy and physiology with the integration of evolution and more complex cellular processes.

In this course students take a molecular approach when studying the relationships between structure, function, and the maintenance of homeostasis in ecological and biological systems. This honors course offers a similar beginning to that of Biology, but midway through the first term, the molecular basis for biological phenomena is heavily emphasized, and a more abstract, quantitative approach is used to discuss topics including energy transfer and cellular chemistry. Students continue with a theoretical look at evolution and speciation, and transition back to the human body for a comprehensive study of human anatomy and physiology during the second term.

Chemistry involves the study of matter, its properties, and the changes matter undergoes. Topics include atomic structure, the Periodic Table, molecular structure and behavior, solutions, gas laws, chemical reactions, the mole concept, and thermochemistry. An emphasis is placed on developing algebraic and problem-solving skills. Students are frequently engaged in lab activities and learn to communicate scientific concepts efficiently and effectively.

Honors Chemistry students study a branch of natural science that deals principally with the properties of substances, the changes they undergo, and the natural laws that describe these changes. Topics in this rigorous, quantitatively-oriented course include measurement, atomic structure and chemical bonding, chemical reactions and stoichiometry, gases and condensed phases, reaction kinetics, chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, acid-base reactions, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Students develop competence with experimental design, data analysis, and a wide range of laboratory techniques. Students are expected to have strong algebraic skills, as they will tackle most of the topics in a quantitative manner.

Physics introduces students to the ideas of classical physics and builds connections between those ideas and the experiences of everyday life. Topics covered include work and energy, oscillations and waves, sound and music, electrostatics and electrical circuits, one- and two-dimensional motion, and Newton’s Laws. Strong emphasis is placed on experimental design, data collection and analysis, and interpretation and communication of experimental outcomes. Students also gain experience in problem solving and model building, deriving theoretical understanding from laboratory observations.

Honors Physics provides a quantitative formulation of the fundamental laws of physics and their relation to physical phenomena, and it prepares students for university courses in science and engineering. The course covers the following topics: one- and two-dimensional motion, Newton’s laws, the universal law of gravitation, work and energy, oscillations, momentum conservation, electrostatics, and electrical circuits. The course has a significant lab component with a strong focus on practical problem solving using both empirical and theoretical methods. Emphasis is placed on experimental design, data collection and analysis, and interpretation and communication of experimental outcomes.

A thorough and intensive study of the subject of biology, this course covers the material on the AP exam syllabus and is considered the equivalent of a first-year, college-level course. Labs in biotechnology, outside reading, and computer-based learning provide a challenging menu for the student interested in the subject of biology. This course prepares students to take the AP Biology exam.

This course assumes a strong grasp of introductory chemistry; a background in physics is helpful. Many familiar chemical concepts are investigated in more detail and several new topics such as thermodynamics and electrochemistry are introduced. Lab work in this course is more extensive and complex, and involves greater use of instrumentation such as visible spectrophotometers; more emphasis is placed on accurate quantitative results than in first-year chemistry. This course prepares students for the AP Chemistry exam.

AP Physics offers a calculus-based extension of the classical mechanics topics introduced in Honors Physics. Inquiry-based laboratory work and problem sets are the foundational pillars of each unit, inviting students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. Additionally, students explore physics beyond the AP curriculum through readings, classroom discussions, and independent project work. The equivalent of a one-semester physics course at most colleges and universities, this course prepares students for the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam. Note: Due to the rigorous use of differential and integral calculus techniques, AP Physics students must have previously taken or be concurrently enrolled in BC Calculus.

AP Environmental Science focuses on the interrelationships between humans and complex natural systems as they pertain to environmental sustainability. Our work focuses on both global and local ecology and associated environmental issues related to ecological footprints. Emphasis is placed on the critical importance of systems-based thinking through frequent analysis of case studies. Specific topics addressed include ecosystem dynamics, energy, water, soil, atmosphere, populations, biodiversity, climate change, waste stream, composting, food production, and environmental ethics. Students engage in related laboratory and project work throughout the course, as well as local off-campus field trips. This course prepares students to take the AP Environmental Science exam.

AP Physics: Electricity and Magnetism is a calculus-based, college-level course designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of classical electromagnetism. This course delves into the principles and applications of electric fields, magnetic fields, and electric circuits. It builds upon foundational concepts from AP Physics: Mechanics, integrating calculus to explore and model the dynamic behaviors of physical systems. Students will engage in a comprehensive learning experience that combines theoretical analysis with hands-on experimentation. Through laboratory investigations, problem-solving exercises, and real-world applications, students will develop the ability to apply mathematical and computational techniques to solve complex physics problems. The course will emphasize the relationships between theory, experimentation, and technological applications of electromagnetism. The equivalent of a one-semester physics course at most colleges and universities, this course prepares students for the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam.

The spectacular engineering of the human body intrigues us all, and this course examines the structure as well as the function of that marvelous design. The sophistication and fine-tuned physiology of each system is studied, as well as how disease affects homeostasis or the balance of each system. Within each unit, the relevance of our studies to current health and wellness issues is emphasized through topics like sports medicine, computer analysis of diet and nutrition, skin cancer, tissue engineering, cardiovascular disease, concussions and second impact syndrome, Alzheimer's, and CPR and First Aid. Laboratory-based learning is emphasized through work with microscopes, dissection, anatomical models, simulations, and our on-campus fitness center.

This course provides a fundamental understanding of the critical and evolving field of cancer biology. The course will dive into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive cancer development, as well as focus on prominent oncogenes and tumor suppressors. The overarching clinical aspect of cancer biology will be analyzed by reviewing topics such as history, carcinogens, diagnostics, treatment, and current research. Lastly, a major theme in the curriculum will be curiosity, diving into dissecting primary literature and researching topics that most interest the student.

This course will introduce students to the immune system, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms that organisms use to differentiate self from non-self. By learning how organisms recognize and respond to foreign substances, students will gain a better understanding of the biology behind autoimmune disorders, allergies, organ transplants, and vaccines. The course will focus both on the experimental evidence that forms our understanding of the immune system and the clinical relevance of that knowledge.

This course in astronomy engages students with an overview of the universe; topics for discussion include the origin of the universe, the formation of the solar system, stellar evolution, the emergence of life on Earth (and possibly elsewhere), and the historical development of science. Technical skills will be stressed through labs, and assignments in class will give students opportunities to understand the material from a deep level while giving them a chance to apply skills learned in their math courses. Additionally, students will use technical computing to solve numerical problems and express their findings in written reports, developing their scientific communication skills.

This project-based course exposes students to the engineering design process and its applications. Through a series of structural challenges, students will build on foundational mechanics concepts (including forces, work, and energy) and gain exposure to connected topics in materials science and fluid dynamics. Students will apply physics fundamentals and essential design tools (computer-aided design (CAD), and 3D-printing, woodshop) to the development, construction, optimization, and evaluation of several engineered systems. In a final challenge, students will work as teams to choose and develop an engineering design from concept to production, culminating in a presentation. Potential challenges include stress-resistant bridges, insulated structures, functional sailboats, and/or pinball machines.

The course begins with a review of electricity, starting with a quick re-examination of circuit vocabulary and concepts. Electric fields, magnetic fields and Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction are then introduced. Students synthesize concepts by (a) measuring the magnetic field strength of the earth, (b) learning about the aurora borealis, and (c) understanding the electric power generation and distribution grid in Massachusetts. Finally, students examine how electricity and magnetism join together according to Maxwell's equations to produce light. The fall semester culminates with a gigantic design project. Students build a room-sized Rube Goldberg-style kinetic sculpture, incorporating tools and skills developed during the electricity and magnetism units.

This advanced course offers students the opportunity to study Nature’s chemical artistry beyond the confines of a regular classroom environment. In the first portion of the course, students work to develop molecular-level understanding of biological systems and master an arsenal of techniques for probing these systems, including gel electrophoresis, chromatography, spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. In the second portion of the course, students design and conduct original research on self-selected biochemical problems. Independent work is communicated through a final poster presentation.

Building upon the foundational knowledge gained in the Introduction to Programming and Robotics course, Advanced Projects in Robotics is structured to provide students with a deeper understanding of robotics systems and integrate fundamental mechanical engineering concepts. A key focus of this course is hands-on experience and the utilization of the CAD design software, OnShape, to bring theoretical concepts to life through digital and physical creations. Students will design and build competitive robots within the FIRST Technical Challenge (FTC) competition framework and contribute to the Nobles Robotics Team's ecosystem. ** Credits will be given as a Science course.**

Electronics Design and Engineering will focus on technologies such as computer-aided design (CAD), 3D modeling and printing, 3D accelerometers, and sensors to design and create sophisticated electronic systems to solve real-world problems. In this engaging and hands-on course, students will design, test, prototype, and ultimately manufacture a finished product upon completing the course. This course is especially suited for students interested in engineering who have already taken Robotics or have prior programming experience. Through various projects, students will expand their existing skills in computer design, programming, embedded chip analysis, and coding, as well as the engineering design process. ** Credits will be given as a Science course.**

This course introduces computer science through a creative, hands-on approach. Students learn foundational programming concepts using Processing, a visual, Java-based platform for creative coding, while also building basic electronic circuits and robotic systems using Arduino.

Through project-based learning, students explore core computing concepts by creating interactive graphics, animations, games, and sensor-based robotic systems. Projects include interactive digital art, games, and robots that respond to light and movement. The course culminates in an open-ended creative project that integrates both programming and robotics. We approach computer science as a creative endeavor. Computational thinking, problem-solving, and creative design are foundational skills for the modern world, valuable across disciplines, and essential for anyone seeking to understand and engage with the technological landscape ahead. These capacities strengthen how students analyze problems, design solutions, and think systematically, while also providing the necessary foundation for those who wish to pursue deeper work in technology, software, or artificial intelligence.

This course is the prerequisite for all advanced programming and robotics offerings, including AP Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Robotics, and Electronics Design. ** Credits will be given as a Science course.**

This new interdisciplinary course bridges the beauty, history, legacy, ecology, and stewardship of our awe-inspiring campus acreage. Using Frederick Law Olmsted’s original landscape plans as a guide, the course will explore the diversity and composition of our upland forest through lenses into the past, present, and future. Ancient glacial forces that shaped the land, stewardship practices of early Native communities, and the ethic of late 19th century land conservation all provide context for deepening perspective on our treasured 173 acres in the face of current pressing global environmental challenges. How does the landscape’s history and our relationship with it inform actions that protect our campus ecosystem for future generations? What global environmental issues intersect with local climate-change planning and environmental stewardship? What current ongoing environmental sustainability initiatives in the town of Dedham are relevant to our own campus stewardship? Partnerships with local organizations beyond Nobles (Dedham and Boston area) will support our explorations of historical and ecological interconnectedness. Working in teams, students will conduct a capstone research project to produce web-based educational materials for an interactive campus trail, exploring topics such as carbon sequestration, glacial landforms, biodiversity, the history of Native peoples and early settlers, and local conservation/stewardship. Projects will culminate with student presentations to the community.