Georgetown Prep offers courses in all three major science disciplines: biology, chemistry and physics. For each discipline, there are both introductory and Advanced Placement levels. Introductory sciences are offered in both general and honors versions.
Prep has five science laboratories. The Biology Lab was renovated in 1996, the Chemistry Lab in 1997, and the Physics Lab in 1998. Two additional multipurpose labs have been built in the last five years, one in 2003 and one in 2007. All of the labs are equipped with student laptops with wireless internet access.
Course Offerings
Physics
An introductory course that covers all the core concepts of physics while minimizing the highly technical and calculation-intensive areas of the field. This course covers topics such as motion, force, energy, momentum, heat, nuclear and astrophysics. Conversion of energy is the underlying theme. Laboratory experiments are used to help understand the topics being considered. A conceptual approach to the leaning of physics is stressed. There are no prerequisites for this course; however, students must have a working knowledge of algebra and geometry.
Honors Physics
This is an introductory course that will survey all the major topics in physics, with additional emphasis on computation, analysis, and abstract theory. This course covers topics in mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, waves, and optics. Conversion of energy is the underlying theme. Laboratory experiments are used to help understand the topics being considered. There are no prerequisites for this course; however, students must have a working knowledge of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Application and departmental acceptance are required.
AP Physics
AP Physics is a freshman level calculus-based college course which will prepare the student for the AP Physics C exams. Major topic areas are mechanics and electricity and magnetism. Emphasis is placed on analysis, abstract theory, and more in-depth, independent laboratory investigations. AP Physics meets for 1 ½ periods every day. Prerequisites: Honors Physics, AP Calculus AB is a co-requisite; application and departmental acceptance are required.
Chemistry
Chemistry is an introductory course which covers all the core concepts of chemistry and ties them to key societal issues intended to catch the students’ attention by applying chemistry tothe world around them. Students will be prepared to become informed citizens, able to make decisions related to science for themselves and their communities. This course does not place as great an emphasis on the abstract and mathematical concepts as does the Honors Chemistry course; rather, it will emphasize core concepts of chemistry discovered through an investigative approach. There are no prerequisites for this course; however, students must have a working knowledge of algebra.
Honors Chemistry
Honors Chemistry is an introductory course that utilizes the inquiry process to discover principles related to the nature and behavior of matter. During the course, emphasis is placed on the concepts related to the sub-structure of matter and building and applying abstract mental models to investigate chemical reactions. Topics included are the mole concept, the conservation laws, kinetic molecular theory of gases, condensed phases of matter, electronic atomic structure including elementary quantum mechanics, periodicity, bonding theory, nuclear chemistry, reaction kinetics, acid-base/solubility equilibria, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and the chemistry of carbon compounds. There are no prerequisites for this course; application and departmental acceptance are required.
AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry is a freshman-level college course in chemistry, which will prepare the student for the AP Chemistry exam. Students will attain a depth of understanding of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems normally associated with a comprehensive two-semester college chemistry course. This is a laboratory course that builds upon the skills developed in Honors Chemistry. Topics such as the structure of matter, kinetic theory of gases, chemical equilibria, chemical kinetics and the basic concepts of thermodynamics are presented in considerable depth. This arrangement provides sufficient time to complete college-level laboratory investigations. AP Chemistry meets for 1 ½ periods every day. Prerequisites: Honors Chemistry; application and departmental acceptance are required.
Biology
Biology emphasizes the ecological aspects of biology. Students will cover the core topics of biology through an investigative approach. Special ecological emphasis will be placed on the following topics: interactions among organisms in populations and communities, interactions between organisms and their physical environment in ecosystems and biomes, matter and energy in living systems, cell structure and function as the basic unit of life, genetics, evolution, taxonomy, diversity of structures and functions in living organisms, and human anatomy and physiology. There are no prerequisites for this course.
Honors Biology
Honors Biology emphasizes the molecular aspects of biology. Students will cover the core topics of biology through an investigative approach. Special molecular emphasis will be placed on the following topics: Taxonomy, evolution, the origin of life, biochemistry, bioenergetics, cytology, genetics, reproduction and development, human anatomy and physiology, botany, ecology, and sociobiology. There are no prerequisites for this course; application and departmental acceptance are required.
AP Biology
AP Biology is a freshman-level college course in introductory life sciences, which will prepare the student for the AP Biology exam. The course covers all the topics introduced in the Honors Biology course, but in a more in-depth manner. The curriculum includes: structure and function of plants and animals, molecular biology, cytology, evolutionary biology, ecology, taxonomy and phylogeny. AP Biology meets for 1 ½ periods every day. Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry, application and departmental acceptance are required.
Anatomy and Physiology
In Anatomy & Physiology, students will explore the organization of the human body, taking a detailed look at the structure and function of each individual body system and the relationships that exist between systems of the body. An emphasis will be placed on application of this knowledge to topics of human health, such as diet, nutrition, exercise, and various diseases and disorders of the human body. Laboratory investigations will supplement these topics, including studies in bacteriology, colds and flu, and cardiovascular disease. Students will be asked to stay informed of ongoing developments in health-related fields, evaluate the legitimacy of dietary and health-related products, and to assess factors influencing their own health. The course is designed to foster student appreciation for the impact individuals can have on their own personal wellness. This course is open to seniors who have completed two years of science.