Welcome to the CPS Science Department

The science curriculum seeks to give students a firm foundation in science, as well as an understanding of the interrelationship among the different branches of science. Courses aim to give students greater knowledge of themselves and their surroundings, as well as an understanding of each particular science, its attendant thought processes and the particular ethical issues it raises. The department's goal is to have each science course contribute to the student's ability to think logically and creatively. To this end, all science courses seek to strengthen observational skills and analytical reasoning. All courses require extensive laboratory work, and students learn how to use computers for data collection and analysis.

Students must take three units of science in order to meet graduation requirements. Most students take more. Ninth graders take Physical Science, which interweaves physics and chemistry concepts to provide a basis for further science study. Typically, tenth graders take Chemistry and eleventh graders take Biology since having a firm foundation in chemistry before studying biology enables the student to understand biology on a deeper level. Upper-class students may choose to take Advanced Placement Chemistry, Advanced Placement Biology, Physics, or other science electives. In recent years these electives have included Marine Biology, Immunology and Disease, Issues in Science, AP Environmental Science, Neurobiology and Practical Chemistry.

Click on the courses in the menu to the left to be taken to individual course webpages. Click on a faculty member's name to the right to be taken to that teacher's information page, which includes links to the courses taught.