In this course, students will be introduced to the principles and techniques of molecular biology that are used to study and manipulate DNA in basic research, medicine, forensics, and agriculture. We will begin by studying the structure and chemistry of DNA, and we will then learn about many of the laboratory techniques used in recombinant DNA technology, including restriction digests, PCR, bacterial transformation, and immunological assays. In each class meeting, students will conduct hands-on experiments and learn about the real-world uses and implications of biotechnology. Additionally, students will complete weekly current events reports and examine the ethical considerations raised by advances in the field.

Throughout this course, laboratory activities and discussions will focus on how chemists describe matter and its changes within the context of alchemy and early chemists. Understanding the periodic table, the particulate nature of matter, ionic compounds, and solution chemistry will provide the basis for students to think about the world in terms of particles and their interactions. This course provides a grounding in scientific principles, which will prepare students to continue on to a high school chemistry class.

In this course, students will conduct advanced biotechnology experiments, including DNA extraction, PCR, bacterial transformation, and protein gel electrophoresis. Students will also research and design their own inquiry-driven experiments, which they can then continue during the school year in preparation for the science fair. Additionally, we will explore ethical and political implications of biotechnology; topics include genetically modified organisms, cloning, reproductive biotechnology, and stem cell research. Students who have already taken “Introduction to Biotechnology” are welcome to apply.

This course provides an opportunity for students who have already taken high school chemistry to deepen their knowledge. Laboratory activities and discussions focus on how chemists can control the types of reactions that occur—everything from color changes to explosions. Topics include bonding, chemical reactions, moles, elementary thermodynamics, and quantum chemistry. This class is ideal for students who want either to review their knowledge or to learn more chemistry in preparation for an AP Chemistry course.

This course provides an opportunity for students to accelerate their study of biology with an introductory college-level biology course, and to prepare for the May 2014 AP examination in Biology. The course uses a college-level textbook and follows the College Board course outline. Laboratory work is extensive and will be included in each class session. Topics include Molecular and Cellular Biology (biochemistry, cells, energy transformations), Genetics and Evolution (genetics, molecular genetics, evolution), Population Biology (plant biology and animal biology, including that of humans), and Ecology.

Cognitive neuroscientists aim to answer one of the last remaining fundamental questions of science: how does a three-pound lump of organic material—the brain—support such a wide array of functions, such as thinking and reasoning, emotion, perception, movement, and consciousness? Through lecture and hands-on demonstrations, we will explore modern theories and applications of adult and developmental neuroscience, as well as experimental methodologies (i.e., single unit recording, fMRI, EEG, psychophysics). We will use a college-level textbook along with supplementary readings to introduce six key topic areas of Cognitive Neuroscience (cells, systems, sensory processes, perception and attention, learning, memory and emotion, and development and disorders). An end-of-year project will provide the opportunity to learn how to read and evaluate primary research articles directly from the scientists in the field and present on a brain topic of special interest.