Science

Department of Science

The Department of Science at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics provides students the opportunity to take rigorous survey courses in biology, chemistry, and physics and to take accelerated specialized courses.  NCSSM science courses are laboratory-intensive and designed to cultivate the habits of mind of scientists such as analytical thinking and problem-solving.


To meet graduation requirements in science, a student must complete a minimum of 5 semester units of science while in residence at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and show competence in each of the three sciences by one of the following:  NCSSM Science Dept coursework; NCSSM chemistry or physics exemption test; or qualifying scores on an AP test.  A student exempted from a core science must still complete at least 5 semester units of science courses at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

Students are required to complete at least three units of core science in at least two different science subject areas in the junior year.


Science courses with a significant research component are indicated in the course catalog with the symbol: (*R*). This indicates that the students will develop skills in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation and scientific communication.


Some Science courses rely heavily on mathematics and problem solving. In order to be successful in these courses, students enrolling should have strong mathematical and problem-solving skills. These courses are indicated in the course catalog with the symbol: (*M*).

Biology

Graduation Requirement in Biology

The graduation requirement in biology may be fulfilled by successful completion of one semester of any of the Biology courses listed in this section. See Exemptions at the end of the course catalog for conditions and options for exemption.

The biology course offerings can be divided into four major strands addressing different topical areas: Genetics, Human Body, Cellular Biology, and Environmental Biology. For students who have previously taken a survey course in biology, these strands can help them select courses within a particular area of interest. For students who have not previously taken a survey course in biology, these strands can guide them to select courses across a range of topics to ensure they are introduced to the broad scope of biology. Although this is not a graduation requirement, the biology faculty encourages students who come to NCSSM without a previous biology course to take a full year of biology. Research courses may also be used to meet the core biology requirement.


The NCSSM Biology Curriculum addresses five core concepts in Biology. These core concepts are woven throughout course content across all the strands.


Adapted from:(Vision & Change in Undergraduate Biology: A Call to Action. American Association for the Advancement of Science. 2009. Washington, DC. Available at: http://visionandchange.org/files/2011/03/Revised-Vision-and-Change-Final-Report.pdf)

Chemistry

Graduation Requirement in Chemistry

The graduation requirement in chemistry may be fulfilled by successful completion of a semester of core chemistry (CH3500 or CH4020) plus a second course chosen from the list under ‘core chemistry graduation requirements’. These courses cover concepts in kinematics and energy. If the student wishes to take a sequence that is in line with most traditional college chemistry curricula, we recommend that students follow the core course by taking either CH4000 or CH4120.  See the Exemptions section at the end of this document for conditions and options for exemption.

Placement

Junior students are placed in their NCSSM chemistry course based on scores on the NCSSM science placement test and NCSSM mathematics placement.   Students with prior chemistry experience and who qualify for a modified exemption may place into CH4000.  Students who placed into CH3500 and who wish to attempt the AP Chemistry exam may enroll in the January Term course - ‘Bridge to AP Chemistry’ to prepare to enroll in CH4120.

Physics

Placement

Junior students are placed in their NCSSM physics course based on scores on the NCSSM science placement test and NCSSM mathematics placement.   Students with prior physics experience and who qualify for a modified exemption have satisfied the prerequisite for second-term physics courses.  Students with prior physics and who are also in calculus or above, may attempt to qualify for AP Physics C (see Physics FAQs for details).

Graduation Requirement in Physics

The graduation requirement in physics may be fulfilled by successful completion of a semester of core physics (PH3500 or PH4020 or PH4240) plus a second course chosen from the list under ‘core physics graduation requirements’. These courses cover concepts in electricity and magnetism. If the student wishes to take a sequence that is in line with most traditional college physics curricula, we strongly recommend that students follow the core course by taking either PH4000 or PH4120 or PH4241. A core Electricity and Magnetism course is also a prerequisite for the advanced elective courses. 

Physics Exemption Guidelines

The NCSSM core physics courses are designed to ensure proficiency in the content area of this subject and competence in fundamental physics laboratory skills.  Students may qualify for either modified or full exemption of the NCSSM physics graduation requirement by demonstrating mastery in both of these areas.

There are three ways to demonstrate understanding of the content area:


- AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 -- score of 5 on BOTH of these examinations. Students with a score of 5 on only the AP Physics 1 examination qualify for a modified (one semester) exemption,  Students with a score of 4 on the AP Physics 1 and/or AP Physics 2 examination and who wish to qualify for an exemption or modified exemption, must test during Orientation Week.


- AP C Physics Mechanics and AP C Physics Electromagnetism – score of 5 on BOTH of these examinations. Students with a score of 5 on only the AP Physics C Mechanics examination qualify for a modified (one semester) exemption,  Students with a score of 4 on only the AP Physics C Mechanics and who wish to qualify for a modified exemption, must test during Orientation Week.


in August.


Students who do not meet the criteria for full exemption of the NCSSM core physics requirement, but otherwise demonstrate readiness for advanced study in physics, will be evaluated for a customized physics placement or a modified exemption, depending upon their test scores and laboratory assessment.  Such students may fulfill their core physics graduation requirement by taking PH4120, or PH3920, or PH4130, PH4150, PH4170 or PH4180  or they may be placed into the AP Physics C sequence.


If the student wishes to take a sequence that is in line with most traditional college physics curricula, we strongly recommend that they take PH4120; this course is also a prerequisite for the advanced elective courses in Physics.