Curriculum Detail

Discover Our Curriculum

Science

The Science Department works to ensure that all students understand how science influences their lives and to enable them to use their knowledge of science and its methods in future problem-solving and decision-making. Through formal instruction, class discussion, and laboratory investigation, we seek to cultivate a lifelong curiosity about the world.

Throughout the courses, we stress observation, critical analysis, and experimental design. We employ and advance our students skills extensively in mathematics, writing, and computer use. For students with special interest and ability in science, the department offers a challenging and diverse selection of advanced courses.

Graduation requirement: two years of a lab science (two credits)

  • PHYSICS

    Students study the fundamentals of physics across a wide range of topics including motion, force, momentum, energy, electrostatics, electric circuits, light, and waves. In parallel with the content of the course, students are trained in science process skills such as asking questions and defining problems, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in an argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.

    6 periods per cycle

    Grade 9

  • CHEMISTRY

    Students study the fundamentals of chemistry across a wide range of topics, including scientific method, phase changes, properties of gases, kinetic molecular theory, mass spectrometry, atomic structure, periodic properties, Lewis structures, intermolecular forces, chemical reactions and reactivity, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, mechanistic kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics. Where possible, experimental evidence is used to construct models of chemical behavior. Complex experiments require independent work and thought. Many experiments require students to design their own procedures and write independent lab reports.

    6 periods per cycle

    Grade 10

  • PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

    Students study the core principles of chemistry across a range of topics, including scientific method, phase changes, properties of gases, atomic structure, periodic properties, Lewis structures, intermolecular forces, chemical reactions and reactivity, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics. The course will focus on the ideas of chemistry to build a solid foundation for work in 11th grade molecular biology.

    6 periods per cycle

    Grade 10

  • BIOLOGY

    This course focuses on a mechanistic, molecular-level understanding of biological systems. Coursework will draw strongly upon students’ previous work in 10th grade Chemistry. Topics may include biochemical interactions, structure-function relationships, cell signaling, metabolic processes, molecular genetics and evolution, and micro- and macro-scale ecology. These topics may be incorporated into broader teaching modules on physiological systems, health and disease, biotechnology, and more. Hands-on instruction will enhance student engagement, ability to integrate knowledge across units, and independent problem solving skills. Students will also gain further experience with the methodological toolkit of modern biology through extensive, detailed laboratory investigations, and practical data analysis and presentation, including basic statistics. 

    6 periods per cycle

    Grade 11

  • PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY

    This course is designed to give students a broader understanding of the life sciences, encompassing essential concepts in cell structure and function, some aspects of animal and plant physiology in addition to basic ecology. Evolution and environmental sustainability will play key roles in this course, allowing students to make connections between the cellular and the larger macroscopic world.  Students will develop skills to design experiments, look for evidence and develop scientific reasoning skills. Instruction will be student-centered, providing them with hands-on opportunities to conduct experiments, build models and use these to understand more complex concepts.  
     
    6 periods per cycle
     
    Grade 11

  • ADV. BIOLOGY

    This accelerated course in molecular biology will move at a faster pace than Biology. Coursework will draw strongly upon students’ previous work in 10th grade Chemistry. Topics may include biochemical interactions, structure-function relationships, cell signaling, metabolic processes, molecular genetics and evolution, and micro- and macro-scale ecology, and more. Particular focus will be given to modern biotechnology techniques like Polymerase Chain Reaction, DNA and protein gel electrophoresis, BLAST sequencing and application. Students will also engage with current advances in various fields of modern biology research. A strong emphasis on scientific logic, statistical data analysis and communication, and self-directed inquiry will also prepare passionate students for more advanced or independent work in science as 12th graders.

    All advanced science enrollments are subject to the review of the Science Department, which will consider such qualities as independence, motivation, and citizenship.

    Prerequisite: permission of the department head
     
    6 periods per cycle

    Grade 11

  • ADV. PHYSICS

    Advanced Physics is an in-depth, calculus-based course in mechanics and electrodynamics. Building on what students learned in 9th Grade Physics, topics will include kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, electrostatics, circuits, and more, as time allows. Students will continue to develop qualitative and quantitative problem solving skills through written work, discussions, and hands-on laboratory work. Emphasis is put on using these skills to predict relationships between observable phenomena and to communicate these theories through rigorous models.

     All advanced science enrollments are subject to the review of the Science Department, which will consider such qualities as independence, motivation, and citizenship. 

    Prerequisite: Achieve a grade of B or higher in Physics, co-enrollment in or completion of calculus, pass courses in Biology and Chemistry before the start of senior year, and permission of the department head required. Students are not permitted to enroll in two advanced sciences, except with special permission from the head of the Science Department in consultation with the principal.

     6 periods per cycle

     Grade 12

  • ADV. CHEMISTRY

    This course is taught at a college level and units of study include reactivity and chemical reactions, atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, equilibrium, and thermodynamics. If time permits, topics of molecular orbital theory and the structure of solids will finish the year. Laboratory work is extensive and detailed and involves scientific inquiry.  It will not assume any prior knowledge of chemistry.  Successful students will have strong mathematical reasoning and an understanding of logarithms and exponential functions.  Although this course is not specifically designed to cover the AP Examination, problem solving is of that level and content.

    All advanced science enrollments are subject to the review of the Science Department, which will consider such qualities as independence, motivation, and citizenship. 
     
    Prerequisite: Pass courses in Physics and Biology before the start of senior year.  Permission of the department head required. Students are not permitted to enroll in two advanced sciences, except with special permission from the head of the Science Department in consultation with the principal.

    6 periods per cycle
     
    Grade 12

  • ADV. SCIENCE RESEARCH: ENTOMOLOGY

    This course is designed to immerse students in a collaborative scientific environment and expose them to the many facets of research.    Students will be expected to be an active and productive member of the research team by fully participating in lab research, lab meetings, journal club meetings and presentations.  Students will carry out a research project that will be presented in multiple public forums.  Scientific communication skills will be strengthened through written assignments, discussion and presentations of peer-reviewed scientific literature and presentation of student research. The course is embedded in Entomology and students will gain a broad understanding of insect biology and taxonomy.  The course is unique within our curriculum in its depth and breadth of biological research training, and it is meant for the Trinity students who are genuinely excited about continuing science research in college. It is important to note that Advanced Research: Entomology meets 6 times a cycle for the equivalent of two class periods, and so it has been accorded 2 credits on our transcript to reflect those time demands.

    Prerequisite: Achieve a grade of B or higher in 11th Grade Biology. Permission of the department head required. This course can only be taken as part of a 5 course load.

    6 periods per cycle

  • PSYCHOLOGY

    Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This course looks at the role of the multiple factors in human behavior and is designed to reflect current thinking in academic psychology. It is intended to give you, the student, a broad foundation to understanding behavior, using three different approaches: sociocultural, cognitive, and biological. The three approaches will be applied to a variety of topics that we will investigate throughout the year, such criminology, mental health, healthy relationships, and trends. 

    Prerequisite: Complete graduation requirements for science

    5 periods per cycle

    Grades 11 and 12

  • ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES/Fa

    A relaxed introduction to the principles of Engineering in a hands-on, project-based context. Students follow the design cycle to build a series of progressively more complicated maker-oriented projects using hand tools and various rapid prototyping equipment. Fall Semester will focus on 2D design and fabrication using the laser cutter while Spring Semester will emphasize 3D design and fabrication using 3D printers. Students explore topics from several different fields of engineering, depending on the interests of students and background of the instructor. Engineering Principles is a Pass/Fail elective that may be taken as a 7th course.

    10, 11, 12 grades

    5 class meetings per cycle.

  • ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES/Sp

    A relaxed introduction to the principles of Engineering in a hands-on, project-based context. Students follow the design cycle to build a series of progressively more complicated maker-oriented projects using hand tools and various rapid prototyping equipment. Fall Semester will focus on 2D design and fabrication using the laser cutter while Spring Semester will emphasize 3D design and fabrication using 3D printers. Students explore topics from several different fields of engineering, depending on the interests of students and background of the instructor. Engineering Principles is a Pass/Fail elective that may be taken as a 7th course.

    10, 11, 12 grades

    5 class meetings per cycle.
139 West 91st Street | New York, NY 10024-1326 | (212) 873-1650
Located on the Upper West Side of New York City, Trinity School is a college preparatory, coeducational independent school for grades K-12. Since 1709, Trinity has provided a world-class education to its students with rigorous academics and outstanding programs in athletics, the arts, peer leadership, and global travel.