Academics

Students wishing to withdraw from the program at any time must provide the Director with a signed letter to that effect and that is countersigned by the student’s guardian(s). Program fees are non-refundable after a student has taken part in any Academy activity.

Biology Honors

Grade(s): 9, 10 (transfer) | Level: 1 | Credits: 1
Prerequisites: 90^th percentile (of Holy Cross High School) or above on the HSPT and no grade lower than an A- (90%) in 7th- and 8th-grade math, science, and English; permission of the Chair. 

Biology Honors is a year-long course that introduces students to the marvel of the living world around them. This lab course is an investigation of the principles that govern the living world and serves as an introduction to how scientists approach and answer biological problems.  It is the first of a two-part series culminating in the UConn’s ECE Biology program.  As such, the Biology Honors curriculum provides slow, in-depth coverage of the most crucial half of introductory biology: the philosophy of science, biochemistry, the cell and how it harvests energy and reproduces, genetics and genomics, and evolution. Classroom discussions, activities, projects, laboratory experiments, and formal assessments will reinforce the concepts and principles presented in the course and highlight the social implications of science on society. The course will exceed the Connecticut State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards by providing greater depth than prescribed by those standards or in the Advanced/CP-A Biology sections. This course is a prerequisite for ECE Biology, which picks up where this class leaves off.

This course teaches and reinforces skills and dispositions aligned with the Portrait of the Crusader, including thinking critically about the information presented, solving problems through innovation, and communicating effectively. Laboratory investigations and in-class activities promote fostering relationships, collaboration, teamwork, and respect for other students’ ideas.

Chemistry Honors

Grade: 10 | Level: 1 | Credits: 1
Prerequisites: 85% in Biology Honors (or 92% in Biology CP-A with permission of the Chair) and the recommendation of a Biology teacher.

Students use their knowledge of scientific methodology and literacy to derive chemical principles in the same way that a scientist would. There is a heavy emphasis on the mathematical treatment from the basic structure of atoms to chemical formulas, bonding, types of reactions, solubility, stoichiometry, energy, equilibrium and nuclear chemistry. This course (or Chemistry) is required in order to graduate.

ECE Environmental Science

Grade: 10 | Level: College UG | Credits: 1 (3 @ UConn)
Prerequisites: 85% in AP Physics or 90% in Physics Honors; permission of the Chair. As a guide, students must meet the criteria for AP Environmental Science from the College Board.

Early College Experience (ECE) Environmental Science provides students with a comprehensive study of the fundamentals of Environmental Science while  offering students the opportunity to earn credits from the University of Connecticut. Students examine the biological and physical character of the Earth and the impact of human interactions on ecosystems, climates, and natural resources. Using inquiry methods, students evaluate the complexity of these impacts and research solutions and/or methods to prevent ongoing problems.

ECE General Physics I & II  [or AP Physics]

Grade: 11 | Level: College UG | Credits: 1 (8 @ UConn)
Prerequisites: 90% in Chemistry Honors; permission of the Chair.

ECE PHYSICS is an opportunity for senior students to earn credits from the University of Connecticut. In this course, students learn the fundamentals of physics, and they are guided to think about physics concepts as interconnected pieces of a puzzle. Throughout the year, students participate in laboratory explorations to ensure a clear conceptual understanding of these key concepts. Semester one is a non-calculus based course introducing the laws of force and motion applied to mechanical phenomena. Concepts such as work, mechanical energy, linear and angular momentum, and energy conservation are explained.  It is organized around the big ideas that bring together the fundamental science principles and theories of general physics, namely motion, forces, energy, momentum and heat. Semester two is a non-calculus based course introducing the principles governing electromagnetic phenomena, including electromagnetic radiation and waves and electric circuits.  Semester two is organized around the big ideas that bring together the fundamental science principles and theories of general physics, namely electricity, magnetism, light, atomic structure and special relativity.

Physics Honors

Grade: 11 | Level: 1 | Credits: 1
Prerequisites: 85% in Chemistry Honors (92% in Chemistry CP with permission of the Chair) and recommendation of the Chemistry teacher. For SciAc, requires waiver from the Director.

Physicists formulate and test hypotheses based on their observations of the natural world.  They use their results to formulate scientific laws expressed in the language of mathematics, and they use these laws to make predictions about other phenomena, from the subatomic to the cosmic. The study of physics includes the study of mechanics, motion, forces, energy, waves, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, atomic structure and nuclear reactions. In this course, students learn the laws and the mathematical language of physics; they use the scientific method to formulate and test hypotheses, analyze data, reason quantitatively, and draw conclusions. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills through a variety of hands-on laboratory activities, classwork, homework, and written assessments.  This syllabus defines the course of study for both Physics and Physics Honors.  Those learning activities unique to the honors level are labeled as such.

This course teaches and reinforces skills and dispositions aligned with the Portrait of the Crusader, including thinking critically, solving problems through innovation, and communicating effectively.  Laboratory investigations and in-class activities promote collaboration and respect for other students’ ideas.

Neuroscience Honors

Grade: 11 | Level: 1 | Credits: 1
Prerequisites: Minimum of 80% average in Honors Biology, minimum of 80% average in Honors Chemistry; recommendation of present Science teacher.

This full-year course presents an accelerated and in-depth survey of the human brain and nervous system. Principles learned will include anatomy & Physiology, brain mapping, disease & disorders, motor system, sensory system, learning and memory, sleep, emotions, homeostasis, rhythms & drives, and altered states of consciousness.

Scientific Communication Honors

Grade: 11 | Level: 1 | Credits: 1
Prerequisites: Completion of SciAc course requirements through sophomore year; permission of the Director.

This course introduces the essential skills necessary for any science major or pre-med student, emphasizing the language of science and how information is disseminated. The focus of the course is on communicating scientific ideas smoothly and effectively both orally and in writing. This course will introduce students to the tips and tricks that make learning science possible, such as using PubMed to find papers, Grants.gov to find grant opportunities, or learning how different journals use different styles to have the highest impact. The course will further develop the students’ abilities to read, write, present, and critically analyze scientific data (particularly biological/medical), skills that are, unfortunately, not stressed at any level of education (including graduate school), but are nonetheless essential for success that is measured in publications and grant dollars. The course will combine library and open-source resources, along with a particular emphasis on reading, writing, and critiquing primary scientific literature. Students will be introduced to potential extramural funding sources (even for motivated undergraduates!) and the art of scientific presentation, poster presentations, illustration, and digital presentation. The course culminates with the compilation of students’ work into a single, professional-looking publication that highlights the skills and styles they have acquired. Students who complete this course will be prepared for immediate integration into laboratories in basic and clinical science, and be better suited to excel in college as well as later in their careers.

ECE Principles of Biology I

Grade: 12 | Level: College UG | Credits: 1 (4 @ UConn)
Prerequisites: Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Honors+ Physics; Honors Neuroscience; signature of current science teacher and permission of the Chair. 

Biology is the critical study of living things. It is the foundation for all of the disciplines that study life in more detail, including medicine, physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, bioengineering, neuroscience, etc. An understanding of the basic principles of biology is an invaluable part of any student’s repertoire. This course is an undergraduate introduction to biology, accounting for 8 credits from the University of Connecticut. We will explore what we as a species know about the other species that live on our tiny blue marble, and, maybe, we will be able to speculate on what life might be like elsewhere. Topics will move from a basic, working definition of life through how molecules make up that life and allow it to function, to how systems work together at every level from cell to biome. Many of the classes will offer an inquiry-based approach and students will be challenged to think critically not only about why a problem exists, but also about how to solve it. And students will write. And they will write. Completion of this course will provide students with a comprehensive and solid foundation for further study in biology which they can use to pursue more advanced subspecialties. Perhaps through this exercise in studying other forms of life, we will gain some greater understanding of our own. ECE Biology constitutes the second in a two-part series beginning with Biology Honors.

Human Anatomy & Physiology Honors

Grade: 12 | Level: 1 | Credits: 1
Prerequisites: Minimum of 80% averages in Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Honors Physics, Honors Neuroscience, and signature of a present Science teacher.

This advanced-paced course examines the biological concepts of structure and function of the human body. Body systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, muscular, skeletal, integumentary, lymphatic, urinary, endocrine and reproductive will be surveyed. An intensive concentration on laboratory skills and anatomic identification will be in the scope of this course.

Senior Capstone Honors

Grade: 12 | Level: 1 | Credits: 1
Prerequisites: Completion of all Science Academy requirements; meeting graduation requirements; permission of the Director.

All members of the Science Academy must complete a capstone research paper using primary sources. The guidelines for this manuscript can be found in the appendix of this proposal. Topics are assigned in consultation between the Director and the student. The final paper will be delivered to a panel of 5 faculty (three from Science [including the Director], one from Social Studies/Humanities, and one from Theology) and orally defended. Passing papers will be published to the Holy Cross community in the Science Academy’s journal. Students must successfully complete this project for graduation distinction as primus inter pares. The course is required for Science Academy distinction.

AP Psychology

Grade: 12 | Level: College UG | Credits: 1
Prerequisites: Recommendation of the instructor and permission of the Chair. Students must meet AP Criteria from College Board.

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. 

This course aligns with the Portrait of the Crusader in that students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.