Throughout the four years of the Tutorial School there is an increasing number of options, both in terms of science subject specializations and levels.
In Tutorial all students are required to take the same two science courses: Life Science and Physical Science. Life Science is a year long course. Physical Science consists of one semester of Chemistry and one semester of Physics, each with a different teacher.
In Tutorial Two, students have a choice of doing any two science subjects out of the three offered: Biology, Chemistry or Physics. These are all year-long courses.
In Tutorial Three, the International Baccalaureate science subjects, Biology, Physics and Chemistry are offered as two-year courses at either the Higher or Standard levels. These are all two-year courses. One-year non-IB courses are also offered in Environmental Investigations and in Neuroscience Investigations. Students must do one science in the Tutorial Three and Tutorial Four years to graduate. Many students choose to do two sciences in parallel during their final two years.
Courses by Grade
Tutorial One Physical Science
Tutorial One Physical Science introduces students to the formal study of a small number of carefully selected topics within the physical sciences (physics and chemistry). Students will either have one semester of chemistry followed by one semester of physics or vice versa. Chemistry and Physics will be taught by different teachers.
Physics includes electricity (requires calculations involving current, voltage and resistance for different circuits), simple machines (requires calculations of mechanical advantage, work and power for different devices). A unit on the bicycle as a compound machine follows after the study of simple machines, culminating in students designing (but not making) their own bike. Measurement, SI units and the use of significant figures will be involved in all topics.
Chemistry includes atoms and molecules, ionic bonding, covalent bonding, the relationship of the properties of elements and the type of bonding they demonstrate to their position in the periodic table, chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion.)
A large proportion of class time will be concerned with laboratory work, followed by class discussion. Some lectures will be given. Students will use computers for data collection, and will also see and use computer simulations. Students will view material on DVDs and videocassettes. Use is made of web sites during class, using the ACTIVboards.
Students will do lab reports and small assignments of the problem-solving type. Each semester is divided into two or more topic areas. There will be an end-of-unit exam at the end of each topic area.
Full details of this course can be found on the UNIScienceNET web site.
Tutorial One Life Science
Tutorial One Life Science provides an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the body in a social/medical/ethical context.
Six complex social/medical/ethical issues: heart disease, vaccination programs, infant mortality, the international kidney trade, human infertility, and degenerative nerve disease are used as a vehicle for learning about six body systems: the cardiovascular system, the immune system, the digestive system, the kidney and excretion, human reproduction, the brain and nervous system.
The course is structured around a series of activities including laboratory investigations students plan themselves, dissections, computer simulations, interpreting MRI and ultrasound images, analyzing X-ray images, using computers for data collection (students record their own EKGs and EEGs), building a dialysis machine. Students do short writing assignments, take quizzes (including ACTIVoting), make posters and three-dimensional models. They also research topics via the internet. Professionals working in the various fields (e.g. paramedics) will be invited to give talks on what they do. Students will view material on DVDs and videocassettes. Use is made of web sites during class, using the ACTIVboards.
There will be an end-of-unit exam at the end of each of the six topic areas.
Full details of this course can be found on UNIScienceNET web site.
Tutorial Two Physics
Tutorial Two Physics introduces students to the subject of physics in an exciting and (mostly) non-mathematical way. This course is designed to make physics accessible to those who do not plan to pursue physics beyond tenth grade, while at the same time establishing a strong conceptual base for those who intend to engage in further study at the IB level.
The major topic areas covered in Tutorial Two Physics are: mechanics, heat
physics, wave phenomena, electricity and magnetism. Emphasis is placed on experimental work.
The focus of this course is on understanding physics concepts through laboratory work. Students will use computers for data collection, and will work with computer simulations. Students will view material on DVDs and videocassettes. Use is made of web sites during class, using the ACTIVboards.
Students are given weekly (sometimes nightly) problem sets for homework assignments. Lab reports are also required for all experimental work. Tests are given every three to four weeks.
Full details of this course can be found on the UNIScienceNET web site.
Tutorial Two Biology
Tutorial Two Biology provides an understanding of current scientific topics in molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics, develops and encourages critical thinking in biology, and gives students the experience of investigating and doing experimental work in science, using state-of-the-art equipment.
The course covers the following topics: cell structure, stem cells, biochemistry, DNA and protein synthesis, Mendelian genetics, human genetics, population genetics and evolution, biotechnology, genetic engineering. There is an emphasis on how the structure of molecules determines their biological function.
Lectures and laboratory investigations form the basis of the course. Extensive laboratory work will include protocols used in modern biotechnology, such as DNA fingerprinting (using DNA electrophoresis to identify DNA fragments produced by the action of a restriction enzyme on DNA) and the genetic transformation of bacteria. Students are introduced to C. elegans as a research organism.
Computers are used to record data from experiments, and students will also work with computer simulations. Students will view material on DVDs and videocassette. Use is made of web sites during class, using the ACTIVboards. Students will be expected to research topics via the internet.
Assessment will be based on homework assignments, projects, oral presentations, lab reports, quizzes (including ACTIVoting), tests, end-of-term examinations.
Full details of this course can be found on the UNIScienceNET web site.
Tutorial Two Chemistry
Tutorial Two Chemistry provides students with a systematic knowledge of the relationships between the properties of matter, its structure and transformations, as well as the energy involved during those transformations. This course has a mathematical component which will prepare those students who wish to take IB Standard or Higher Level Chemistry the following year.
There will be an emphasis on the laboratory skills necessary for good scientific
experimentation and research. Students will gain experience in problem-solving and
information-processing.
The course covers the structure of matter, physical and chemical changes, atomic theory, chemical bonding, the periodic table, the mole concept and chemical equations, solutions, acid/base theory, redox reactions, kinetic theory and gas laws, organic chemistry.
Lectures, discussion, problem-solving, model-building, individual and small group experiments, both structured and open-ended, form the basis of the course. Use is made of web sites during class, using the ACTIVboards.
Students will use computers for data collection, and will work with computer simulations. Students will view material on DVDs and videocassettes.
Students are assessed on their homework assignments, lab work,
quizzes (including ACTIVoting), and tests.
Full details of this course can be found on the UNIScienceNET web site.
Neuroscience Investigations
Neuroscience Investigations is a one-year, non-IB course, offered in Tutorial Three, which
introduces students to the scientific study of behavior in humans and other animals.
This course provides students with an understanding of the methods of inquiry used by behavioral scientists, with an emphasis on empirical methods. The course seeks to develop an appreciation of behavioral science both as an academic discipline and as a field of study relevant to the student's own life.
Topics include the brain as both directing and being modified by behavior, structure, location and functions of the major parts of the brain, brain chemistry including the role of brain chemistry in violent behavior, the effects of drugs on the brain, including behavioral changes, sensation and perception, mental disorders.
This course will also respond to theoretical issues relating to behavior as they are
reported in the national press.
Lectures, discussions, demonstrations, investigations using computer simulations, such as MRI data and decision-making in the brain. Experimental laboratory work including brain dissection form the basis of the course. Extensive use is made of newspaper articles as raw data for investigations. Students will view material on DVDs and videocassettes. Use is made of web sites during class, using the ACTIVboards.
Students will be expected to research topics using the internet. Students are also encouraged to make use of information technology for their presentations (student-constructed web pages, You-Tube, PowerPoint).
Assessment is based on essays, lab reports, quizzes (including ACTIVoting) and class presentations.
Environmental Investigations
Environmental Investigations is a one-year, non-IB course, offered in Tutorial Four, which will focus on global and local environmental issues. It has been designed to encourage students to develop time management and organizational skills in preparation for college level work through the experience of preparing projects and planning experimental investigations. It will help students to develop a sense of responsibility concerning the conservation of our environment and to encourage students to become leaders in promoting environmental conservation in our community.
The course is organized around themes such as global warming and climate change, ozone depletion, water and air pollution and the energy crisis. Students will learn about ozone depletion using authentic ozone data and satellite data. Students will further participate in actions promoting conservation at our School.
Learning is promoted by scientific inquiry using class investigations (labs with computer data acquisition) and by investigations comparing published data from different parts of the world. Students will be expected to research topics using the internet. Students are encouraged to use information technology for their presentations (web pages, YouTube, PowerPoint).
Assessment will be based on portfolio work including individual projects, essays, lab reports, collective assessment of team presentations. There will also be quizzes, unit tests, and semester examinations.
Al Gore’s ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ is used as a text for this course. There are also many handouts, and extensive use is made of web sites (NASA, NOAA, TEA etc.) and journal articles (Scientific American, National Geographic etc.).