2024-2025 Course Flipbook v2 - Flipbook - Page 23
PHYSICAL AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Building off of the foundations established in Chemistry, this course allows us to dive deeper
into the fascinating and interlocking complexity of chemical systems and their applications.
For example, students apply the concept of equilibrium to extended lab investigations such
as analyzing ways to mitigate ocean acidi昀椀cation. They determine how burning fuels provide
energy, such as comparing the ef昀椀ciency of fuels to power small boats in the lab or making
their own ration heater used for Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) for soldiers. The course also allows
students to test how electricity and solar energy function through building solar cells, as well as
diving into the organic side of chemistry as they synthesize common medications like aspirin
or produce esters, a group of compounds that include some delicious-smelling 昀氀avoring
agents. Coursework focuses on student-driven choice projects, open-ended lab design, the
use of peer-reviewed journal articles from scienti昀椀c studies, and mathematical applications to
chemistry. Overall, this challenging course prepares students for higher-level coursework and
careers in the sciences through student-driven research and lab skills.
Prerequisites: Chemistry and Analytical Algebra II or Algebra II with Data and Modeling
SCIENCE
