Students at the Boys' Latin middle school take courses in the three core domains of science: life, physical, and Earth and space. Students graduating from Boys’ Latin as high school students must earn at least four core science credits (excluding electives). Three of the four credits must be from Biology and Chemistry I, Biology and Chemistry II, and Physics. Students interested in majoring in science in college are encouraged to pursue more than four credits.  Core Courses
Elective and Enrichment Courses
 Biology and Chemistry I Introduction to Biology and Chemistry I is designed to introduce major principles of biology and chemistry in an integrated and problem-based course. The course will include the study of life science topics from a systems and large-scale perspective and will include the study of ecosystems, classification of organisms, diversity of life, and evolution. In addition, students will consider topics in chemistry that inform our understandings of life on Earth at the macro level. Specifically, students will consider how matter and energy change and interact as part of Earth’s systems and ecosystems. Students will learn what it means to be a scientist, will explore how to conduct background research in science, and will be introduced to data collection and analysis. All students will complete an independent science investigation as part of the course.Students in Biology and Chemistry I observe and experiment with the physical and chemical properties of plastics.  Biology and Chemistry II builds upon the foundations of the integrated introductory course and considers matter and life on a micro scale. Students will start with an understanding of the most basic unit of all matter--the atom--and will consider how chemical changes and compounds constitute the most basic unit of all living things--the cell. The course is designed to link fundamental chemical understandings with the processes and functions of life. The course will continue with the study of genetics that links back to the diversity of life and evolution studied in the first course. The course will conclude with a study of food and energy as they relate to the human body and its chemistry. Students in Biology and Chemistry II build models that show differences in atomic radii.  Students in Anatomy and Physiology engineer prosthetic limbs while learning about the interconnected systems of the human body.  Our environment is continually changing and these changes are strongly influencing living world and Earth systems-land, air and water. Many of these changes are the result of human action. This course is designed to ensure that students understand how human activities are affecting the balance and interrelationships of natural systems. In this course students would investigate environmental problems in depth, gain an awareness of the complexity of natural systems, and apply concepts and principles introduced in the classroom in their everyday lives. The goal of the Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Students in AP Environmental Science learn about chlorophyll during a lab early in the year.  Conceptual Physics is a college-preparatory course designed to teach the major principles of physics through student-driven inquiry and project-based learning. Students will learn about the basics of mechanics (velocity, acceleration, projectile motion, force, and momentum), culminating in a thorough study of energy, its many forms, and transfers between them. Emphasis will be placed equally on laboratory, real-life problem solving and academic skills. Students in physics construct roller coasters to explore forces and motion.  Students enrolled in the robotics an engineering course will participate in the annual FIRST Tech Challenge. The goal of the robotics and engineering course is to provide students with opportunities to design and build a robot that will meet the criteria of the FIRST Tech Challenge and that will meet the goals established by the students in the course. Students will often participate in weekend tournaments as part of the course. The course will also feature opportunities for students to develop community service projects that involve promoting robotics and engineering to other students. Students will learn about basic principles of engineering and design in a hands-on, team-oriented course. Students in Robotics and Engineering compete in the US FIRST Tech Challenge each winter and spring.  This course is a neuro-biology based exploration of the brain and mind. Topics will include nerve functioning; brain functioning, peripheral neurons system, and the impact of psychoactive agents such as drugs, alcohol, and prescription medications on the brain. This course is open to seniors. Students in Introduction to Neuroscience build models of neurons.  This class will be a survey of health and wellness, analyzing health, pathology, medicine, exercise, and physical fitness from Ancient and Classical history to Present, and emphasizing simple athletic, culinary, and stress-busting measures that can be taken to lead healthier, happier lives. Students will also examine mental and sexual health, as well as substance abuse issues. The class will analyze health and wellness from a holistic perspective, answering the essential question: What does it mean to be well? This course is open to all students. Students in the Science of Health and Wellness class visit a public health lab in Center City. |
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Boys' Latin of Philadelphia |
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