Description: Molecular Biology 1 is the first course in the Molecular Biology Experience and is the first elective ever offered at BCA. Its focus is the biochemsitry of carbohydrates of all types, as well as amino acids and small peptides. 

This course is designed for students who are considering a career in a biology related field such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, or research. A clearer picture of this course can be found at the website listed below.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1
Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed an introductory biology course or be enrolled in 10th grade Biology (AAST/AEDT).

Description: Molecular Biology 2 is the second course in the Molecular Biology Experience. Its focus is the biochemsitry of polypeptides (proteins), nucleic acids, lipids. In addition, an introduction to the metabolism of glucose, namely fermentation, is explored. The more elaborate pathways of cellular respiration and photosynthesis are studied in Molecular Biology 3. A clearer picture of this course can be found at the website listed below.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 2
Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed Molecular Biology 1 or completed Anatomy and Physiology trimester 1, before taking this class.

Description: Molecular Biology 3 is the third course in the Molecular Biology Experience. Its focus is the biochemsitry of energy use and production namely fermentation and cellular respiration.. A clearer picture of this course can be found at the website listed below.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 3
Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed Molecular Biology 2 or completed Anatomy and Physiology trimester 1, before taking this class.

Description: Molecular Biology 4 in 2007 is an extension of my Immunology course due to the addition of Stem Cell biology into Immunology 1.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1
Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed Immunology or completed Anatomy and Physiology before taking this class.

Description: Molecular Biology 5 in 2005 was an exploration of the Life and Death of Proteins.

* This course may be offered only in alternate years depending upon the student demand.  It will NOT be offered during 2006-7.  In its place is Virology.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 2
Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed Molecular Biology 2 or or completed Anatomy and Physiology trimester 1 before taking this class.

Description: Biotechnology 2 is an advanced elective for AMST students who have successfully completed their required core Biotechnology 1 course which is taken during trimester 1 or 2.

Description: Cell Biology 1 is the first course in the Cell Biology Experience. Its focus is molecular genetics.  This includes an historical investigation of the discovery of the structure and function of DNA and an in-depth exploration of the answer to the question : "What is a gene?". 

This course is designed for students who are considering a career in a biology related field such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, or research.  However many non-bio majors have found this course fascinating. Success in this course is required for enrollment in Cell Biology 2 and 3. A clearer picture of this course can be found at the website listed below.

* THIS COURSE IS NOT OFFERED DURING 2007-8. 

Description: Microbiology is a laboratory course that explores the world of bacteria.

Description: Virology is the second course in the Cell Biology Experience. Its focus is 1) the structure and life cycles of viruses and 2) an investigation of some of the major infectious diseases caused by viruses such as the flu, smallpox, ebola, and HIV. This area of biology is known as virology.

This course is designed for students who are considering a career in a biology related field such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, or research.  However many non-bio majors have found this course fascinating. A clearer picture of this course can be found at the website listed below.

Most Virology students take Immunology 1 and 2 after completion of Virology.

Description: This course continues the work started in Anatomy and Physiology during the junior year. The topics covered are Muscle, the Circulatory System, the Respiratory system,  Salt and Water Balance, the Gastrointestinal System, and Reproduction.  Included in this course is work with our new SimMAN patient simulator.

Description: This course covers the internal cellular structure, external organ morphology, basic anatomy and functional physiology of flowering plants.  Evolutionary pathways are explored, where fitting, and the importance of plant products for human use is an underlying theme which is addressed.  The course is designed as a lecture/laboratory course with extensive time spent outdoors.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1
Prerequisites: Students must have completed a full year of Introductory Biology before taking this class. AAST and AEDT sophomores are therefore not eligible for this course.

Description:   Developmental biology is the study of all aspects of development, from the genes and molecular events that control development to the structural changes that an organism undergoes as it develops.  In this course we ask the question “How does a single cell, the fertilized egg, become a fully formed organism that has the shape and form similar to the parents?” This course is designed to be an introduction to the concepts and discoveries that pushed developmental biology to the forefront of modern medical research.  Embryonic development of animals and plants and regeneration of limbs and organs will be discussed.  Embryonic and adult stem cells will be introduced and discussed in detail, with respect to the great potential power they have for regenerative medicine and discovery, and the ethical issues that currently complicate the research landscape regarding their use.  This subject is highly significant, both intellectually, as a “centerpiece” of modern biology, and practically, as the source of new technologies from in vitro fertilization to transplantable stem cells.

Description: This course provides an introduction to the science of Epidemiology. The course will explore the use of Epidemiology in general health care as well as in public health. It will focus on the development of Epidemiology, concepts and elements of infectious and chronic disease, and study design for epidemiological research.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 2
Prerequisites: Students must have successfully completed an introductory biology course which thereby excludes sophomores in AAST/AEDT.

Description: Immunology is the final course in the Cell Biology Experience. Its focus is the mechanisms by which our bodies defend themselves from the continual onslaught by infectious agents such as bacteria, parasites and viruses.  The study of the structure and function of your immune system is known as immunology.

This course is designed for students who are considering a career in a biology related field such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, or research.  However many non-bio majors have found this course fascinating.  A clearer picture of this course can be found at the website listed below.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 3
Prerequisites: Students must have completed an introductory core biology course.

Description: Molecular Biology 4 in 2007 is an extension of my Immunology course due to the addition of Stem Cell biology into Immunology 1.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1
Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed Immunology or completed Anatomy and Physiology before taking this class.

Description: Introductory Anatomy and Physiology will focus on the study of the structure and function of the human body and the mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis within it.  This course is a basic introduction to your own skin, bones, and muscles, as well as a brief look into your endocrine, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems will be included in this elective.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered each trimester 1, 2 and 3
Prerequisites: Students must have successfully completed an introductory biology course or be enrolled in 10th grade Biology (AAST/AEDT).  AMST students may NOT enroll in this course because they take Anatomy and Physiology as a core course during the 11th grade. 

Students are encouraged to contact the instructor before enrollment. For more information, contact: Ms. Elizabeth Mansfield in room 212.

Description:   Students will meet twice a week for 12 weeks in this one trimester course. Once a week, students will be introduced to various aspects of pediatric oncology through presentations made by specialists from Hackensack Hospital’s Tomorrows Children’s Institute. Topics will include, but not be limited to, epidemiology, types of cancers, diagnosis, treatments, side effects of treatments, palliation, death and survivorship. Dr. Pinto will meet the students during the second class of the week, to go over the specialist's presentations and explain medical terminology, new concepts in anatomy, physiology and immunology. 

Description: PCS is a focus on neuroscience with applications in biomedical engineering. Course assessments include two in-class examinations, two homework reports and four current events reports. 

This course is designed for students who are considering a career in a biology related field such as biomedical engineering, medicine, dentistry, nursing, or research.  However all AEDT students understand that this course is a required core course which must be passed in order to graduate.  A clearer picture of this course can be found at the website listed below.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1 or 3. AEDT students are assigned to this course either trimester 1 or 3. Others may elect the course as an elective.
Prerequisite: Students must have completed a full year of Introductory Biology before taking this class. AMST students may NOT take this course because you take a different course in anatomy and physiology during their junior year which is 6 times larger than PCS in terms of contact time and content.

Description: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior, and includes the study of mind and brain, as well as actions we can readily observe and measure, abilities we possess, learning and memory, personality and psychopathology. In Psychology I, we will explore sensation and perception, the nervous system and brain-behavior relationships, consciousness, and learning.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1.
Prerequisites: Students must have successfully completed an introductory biology course which thereby excludes sophomores in AAST/AEDT.

Description: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior, and includes the study of mind and brain, as well as actions we can readily observe and measure, abilities we possess, learning and memory, personality and psychopathology. Continuing where Psychology 1 left off, we will investigate Memory (storage, retrieval, forgetting, amnesia), Language (acquisition and development), Cognition and social behavior (conformity, crowd behavior, culture and social influence), and Emotion and social behavior (reproductive behavior, love, parenting, aggression, altruism).

Description: As the scientific study of behavior, psychology examines the biological, environmental, experiential, and cultural influences on behavior.  In Psychology of the Individual, we will examine behavior that is frequently specific to the individual: personality, psychopathology, psychotherapy, development, and intelligence and its measurement.

Description: Zoology is fundamentally a laboratory course which provides students with a comprehensive experience involving the study of the Kingdom Animalia.  There is a goal to combine classic dissection with the contemporary use of the information from molecular biology and bioethics.  The curriculum follows a phylogenetic approach with a logical progression from the basic forms of life to the more complex organisms through the study of the various systems.  Zoology provides students with an extensive range of engaging laboratory activities that require students to critically examine the organisms they are investigating.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1, 2 and 3
Prerequisites:  This course is a required core course for AMST students.  Students from other academies may enroll as well.  There are no prerequisites.  Please note that activities in this course require animal dissection.  
 

Description: Biosphere is a one-trimester course available to all students (grades 9-12). This course deals with the principles of earth science from a biological perspective. The Biosphere curriculum will be multimedia and "hands on". Students will do lab exercises independently and collectively during class sessions, and submit their written results. All students will work as members of a group on a long term open ended investigation. The investigation will follow the format of the scientific method and results will be presented to the class at the end of the trimester. 

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1
Prerequisites: none

Description: Environmental Science, by its nature, is a multidisciplinary and international discipline.  By the end of this course successful students will be able to demonstrate the ability to think critically with multidimensional levels, locate, interpret and use data and information, integrate knowledge and ideas into coherent explanations and solutions, work effectively with others, explain the basic principles of ecology and analyse human impacts on the environment, analyse the political and economic connections influencing environmental policy, and express an understanding of the global environment and concern for all humanity

Contact: 4, 3-mod classes per week
When: All 3 trimesters 
Prerequisites: 11th or 12th grade only

Description: AP Biology is a survey biology course tht covers the material typical of many college level introductory biology courses.  Students will complete the 12 required AP labs as well as other labs.  This course prepares students to take the AP  Biology Exam in May.  The text used is Campbell's Biology 6th ed.  

The AP Biology web site listed below gives more detailed information about the course and course expectations. 

Contact: 4, 3-mod classes / week
When: All 3 trimesters 
Prerequisites: Only seniors may enroll in AP Biology, with the recomendation of previous biology teacher and/or a B or better average in previous biology course.  No student is allowed to take AP Biology and AP Psychology.

Description: The primary emphasis of AP Psychology will be to investigate how humans, and other animals, act; how they know; how they interact; how they develop; and how they differ from one another.  Psychology is the science of behavior, and this course represents a synthesis of multiple fields of science as they contribute  to our understanding of behavior.

Because of its advanced nature and depth of coverage, this course assumes prior knowledge in biology, chemistry, and physics.  The material for this course will be covered at a level that is comparable to any university-level introductory course.

Contact: 4, 3-mod classes / week
When: All 3 trimesters 
Prerequisites: Only seniors may enroll in AP Psychology, with the recomendation of previous biology teacher and/or a B or better average in previous biology course.  No student is allowed to take AP Biology and AP Psychology.

Description: Bioethics is designed to introduce the student to a variety of social issues that revolve around life and death. It examines the ethical questions raised by those issues and their impact on the practice and delivery of medicine and health care today. Inherently, the study of bioethics directs the student to reflect upon the meaning of morals, values, and codes of behavior. Another focus of the course is to examine the laws and legalities of various bioethical issues.

AMST students must complete this course before graduation.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1, 2 and 3
Prerequisites: This course is a required core course for AMST students.  Any student at BCA may take this course. All students must be at least a sophomore.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1 and 2 in 2007-8.
Prerequisites: Any student at BCA may take this course. All students must be at least a sophomore.
The only prerequisite is successful completion of one year of biology or enrollment in 10th grade Biology (AAST/AEDT).

AMST 9th grade student receive this training as during trimester 1, 2 or 3 in their core Medical Science Seminar course.

This course is the entry point course for the Biosciences Research Program that includes Experimental Science 1 and 2 as well as Research.

For more information, contact: Dr. Robert Pergolizzi in room 213 or Mrs. Donna Leonardi in room 224. 

** Students are encouraged to read about the research program to learn about the opportunities and expectations.  Please visit the website below.

Contact: 2, 3-mod classes per week
When: 1 trimester course offered trimester 1, 2 and 3. 
Prerequisites: Experimental Science 1
This course is the second course of the Biosciences Research Program that includes Experimental Science 1 and 2 as well as Research.

Description: Research is a personalized course in the Biosciences Research Program in which students will perform a research under the guidance of the course director.  Individual meetings with the students to define the projects will begin during Experimental Science 1 (ES1) and will continue through Experimental Science 2 (ES2).   This course requires a 6 mod commitment each week.  The timing of the actual research is decided by discussions with the instructor, but can be adjusted to meet the needs of the student.  The goal of the research sequence is to develop a high-quality, original data presentation which could be used for submission to science fairs, scholarship competitions and, for the best of the projects, publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Contact: individually scheduled with Dr. Pergolizzi or Mrs. Leonardi with a 12 mod / week expectation
When: Every trimester in 2007-8 assuming completion of ES1.
Prerequisites: The only prerequisite is successful completion of Experimental Science 1.