A Walker’s graduate should incorporate into her personal philosophy the key concepts and basic principles of science. She should be familiar with the natural world, appreciate its beauty and diversity, and recognize its vital role in shaping human destiny. She will be conversant with the methods of obtaining scientific knowledge and will appreciate the relevance of science to all spheres of life.
There is a minimum three-year laboratory science requirement for graduation: students must take one course each in physics, chemistry, and biology. Common to all science courses is the emphasis on understanding basic concepts through active personal involvement in laboratory and field experiences, in discussions, and in collaborative learning exercises.
All elective courses in the department are subject to enrollment, and enrollment in all honors and AP courses is subject to departmental approval.
Courses in this department:
Required for Grade 9
Credit: 1
The concepts and analytical techniques of physics underlie the major concepts of biology and chemistry and a mastery of these physics concepts is a prerequisite for success in all scientific fields. Laboratory work and mathematical skills are given equal emphasis with conceptual understanding. Students will also be taught to solve quantitative problems and to collect, analyze, and present data in both written and oral form.
Grade 9
Prerequisite: departmental approval and concurrent enrollment in Honors Geometry or a higher level math course
Credit: 1
This course covers the same content areas as Physics 9 but moves more rapidly and involves more in depth mathematical analysis and problem solving. Time required outside of class: 4 hours/week.
Open to Grades: 10-12
Prerequisites: Algebra I
Credit: 1
Chemistry is a laboratory-based course that encourages students to take their conceptual understanding of science and apply these principles to everyday phenomena. The course covers the scientific method, atomic theory, nuclear chemistry, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, aqueous chemistry, bonding, acid-base chemistry, organic chemistry and gas laws.
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Honors Conceptual Physics and concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra II or department approval
Credit: 1
The Honors Chemistry course covers the same content as the regular Chemistry course but is faster paced and requires greater depth of analysis. This is a rigorous course with high expectations for student effort and commitment. Time required outside of class: 5-6 hours/week.
Open to Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Completion of Honors Chemistry and department approval
Credit: 1
This course is the equivalent of a college level introductory course in chemistry and will prepare the student for the AP exam in May. This course emphasizes the advanced topics of equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics. Time required outside of class: 10-15 hours/week.
Open to Grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Chemistry
Credit: 1
This first year course surveys the field of biology from biochemistry, cells and genetics to evolution, microbiology, plants and animals. Many of the most important topics in biology rely heavily on an understanding of the fundamental concepts from physics and chemistry. Generous amounts of laboratory work allow students to work independently. Through fieldwork, they will become familiar with the woodlands and ponds that surround the School and appreciate the diversity of life that exists right in our community. They will learn to collect and analyze samples, use microscopes, conduct experiments, and do research.
Open to Grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Chemistry
Credit: 1
The Honors Biology course is faster paced than the regular Biology course and requires students to integrate multiple chapters at one time in their analysis of the material. The laboratory work is also more demanding and allows students to have more independence concerning laboratory design.
Open to Grades: 11-12
Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry and departmental approval
Credit: 1
Exceptional students may be allowed to enroll in this course as their biology course. This course is the equivalent of a college level introductory biology course and prepares students to take the advanced placement exam in May. Topics covered in depth include biochemistry, cells, heredity, evolution, organisms and populations. The course is demanding, moves quickly, and requires a great deal of independent work outside of class (10-15 hours/week).
Open to Grades: 11-12
Offered in 2014-2015
Credit: 1
This first course in Physics examines everyday phenomena such as motion, wave phenomena, and electricity and magnetism. The goal is to apply fundamental principles to understanding common occurrences and devices. The course emphasizes, equally, understanding concepts and solving quantitative problems. Students are taught to rely on analysis rather than memory. Laboratory work and lab reports are two very important parts of this course. Emphasis is on clear thinking and concise writing. The mathematical analysis of data and error is explored in depth. This is a hands-on laboratory based course.
Open to Grades: 11-12
Offered 2013-2014
Prerequisites: Chemistry, honors math placement and department approval. This course is designed for those students entering Walker's after 9th grade who have not yet taken Physics.
Credit: 1
Honors Physics explores the fundamental concepts of physics. The emphasis is on understanding the basic forces and phenomena of the physical world. Applying that understanding to practical situations is also stressed. Students are taught to rely on analysis rather than memory. The course is faster paced and more in-depth than the regular physics course. Laboratory work and lab reports are two very important parts of this course. Emphasis is on clear thinking and concise writing. The mathematical analysis of data and error is explored in depth. This is a hands-on, laboratory based course. Time required outside of class: 5-6 hours/week.
Open to Grades: 11-12
Offered in alternating years with Astronomy
Prerequisites: an introductory physics course, concurrent enrollment in Precalculus or higher math, and department approval
Credit: 1
Advanced Placement Physics B covers the syllabus used in introductory college physics courses and prepares students to take the advanced placement exam in the spring. The major topics include kinematics, dynamics, energy, wave phenomena, electricity, and magnetism. The course uses mathematical concepts from Algebra and geometry, but not from Calculus. The course is very rigorous, mathematical, and fast-paced and assumes the student is very comfortable with all aspects of mathematical problem solving. Time required outside of class: 10-15 hours/week
Open to Grades: 11-12
Offered 2013-201
Exceptional sophomores may be allowed to enroll in this class concurrently with Honors Chemistry.
Credit: 1
Astronomy is a yearlong course that includes such topics as the evolution of astronomical thought and a study of our solar system, stars, galaxies, and beyond. Some physics is included in the course, but concurrent enrollment in physics is acceptable. There will be mandatory evening observation sessions each month (weather dependent).
Open to Grades: 11-12
This course also satisfies the Ethics requirement for graduation.
Exceptional sophomores may be allowed to enroll in this class concurrently with Honors Chemistry.
Credit: 1
The first semester of Environmental Science is designed to provide an understanding of the environment and human impact on it. With this dual purpose in mind, the first semester of this course covers the study of the basic principles of ecology, ecosystems, population dynamics, and the interdependence of all life forms, human population growth, pollution, endangered species and biological diversity, deforestation issues and global warming, finite fossil fuels and nuclear energy, alternative energy sources, and developing a sustainable society. The impact of economics and politics on the environment is stressed. The second semester is an inter-disciplinary course which is team taught by teachers from the Science, History and Art departments. The course evolved through discussions among faculty about the need to help students become sensitive observers of the environment, and to think seriously about how people interact with their world. The course is designed to make sophisticated connections among the latest findings in environmental science, recent discussions in ethics concerning bio-ethical issues, classic literary writers such as Thoreau, historical considerations such as the history of humanities’ technological relations to the natural world and how artists have interpreted the natural environment in painting, sculpture and film. The course plan is to focus first on the immediate socio-ethical and physical environment of Walker’s, the Farmington Valley, and the State of Connecticut and, ultimately, expand awareness to global ecology. The course will include field trips to sensitize students to the local ecology and the significant ways in which people affect the environment and how the environment has shaped the culture of New England.
Open to grades 11-12
Offered 2013-2014; offered in alternate years with Equine Science
Prerequisites: Current enrollment in or completion of Biology
Credit: 1
The Human Anatomy and Physiology class will be a yearlong course covering all twelve of the human body systems. Each body system will be studied on the basis of structure, function, and disorders. Class assessments will include homework, tests, projects, and labs. Students will also be introduced to medical journals, current event articles, and quest speakers. Labs will include microbiology, pathology, hematology, and dissection (nonhuman).
Open to grades:11-12
Offered 2014-2015; offered in alternate years with Anatomy
Prerequisites: Current enrollment in or completion of Biology
Credit: 1
This course will introduce students to the many aspects of equine science and medicine. Students will acquire a general foundation of equine anatomy and physiology as well as an understanding of equine general care, nutrition, common diseases, and sports medicine through lectures, laboratories, and extensive case studies. Students will have hands on laboratories in the Ethel Walker barn as well as classroom based laboratories.
Open to Grades: 11-12
Exceptional sophomores may be allowed to enroll in this class concurrently with Honors Chemistry.
Credit: 1
Forensics is a yearlong course that will study the fundamentals of criminal investigations. In this hands-on course, students will gather and analyze data and participate in lab activities. Students will develop lab skills as well as critical and analytical thinking skills. Topics will include genetics, bloodstain pattern analysis, fingerprinting, ballistics, tool marks, casting of footprints and tire tracks as well as skeletal analysis.
Open to Grades 10 and 11
Credit: 1.5
A three semester course, this class aims to explore the basics of engineering and the process of invention through project-based, hands-on activities. During the first semester, students will learn to design, model and construct basic robots; develop a grant proposal for a large- scale project; and connect with the community surrounding Walker's to engage real-life problem solving. The following year students will focus on developing an engineering project in depth from concept to prototype. This course is for elective credit only and does not fulfill the science requirement. All students still must take Physics, Chemistry and Biology in order to graduate.
Elective for grades 11-12
Credit: 1
Geology is a year-long course designed to help students understand and appreciate the physical world around them. This course investigates the history, structure, and processes of the Earth’s lithosphere. Topics we will discuss include plate tectonics and volcanism, erosion, deposition and deformation, minerals, rocks and fossils, and geologic time. Our lab work will include analyzing specimens as well as interpreting both topographic and geologic maps. We will take field trips to geologic sites in the area whenever possible. The students will spend the fourth quarter studying the geologic history of a national park of their choice. Their goal is to gain an appreciation for why these unique areas look the way they do.
Open to Grades: 11-12
Prerequisites: Completion of concurrent enrollment in Biology
Credit: 1
Psychology is a senior science elective designed to introduce students to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The course follows the APA National Standards of Introductory Psychology and includes the following topics: history and perspectives, social psychology, memory, research methodology, biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, theories of personality, theories of learning, psychological disorders, and treatment of disorders. A tremendous amount of terminology must be learned, and understood. Readings are drawn from the text as well as professional journals and other sources. Students will design and conduct an in-depth research project to be presented at the end of the year.
Open to Grade: 12
Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and the recommendation of the Science Department
Credit: 1
Advanced Placement Psychology is a rigorous senior science elective designed to encourage students to think critically about the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, and to prepare them for the AP Exam in May. The course follows the AP College Board Curriculum which includes the following topics: history & approaches, research methodology & statistics, biological bases of behavior, behavior genetics, life-span development, sensation & perception, states of consciousness, theories of learning, memory, cognition, language, intelligence, motivation, theories of emotion, stress, theories of personality, abnormal psychology, treatment of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Students will conduct an in-depth literature review to be presented at the end of the year and all students must take the AP Psychology exam.
