| Students in CAA science courses gather and interpret data, master important scientific concepts, and learn to recognize relationships among physical phenomena. In addition to lectures and reading assignments, science courses include oral presentations and written assignments, particularly lab reports. Please refer to the Eligibility section of this catalog for minimum test score requirements for science courses. Sample syllabi for all courses are also available. Note: Selected biological science courses may include virtual or traditional dissection.
Zoology
From microscopic investigation to the basics of veterinary medicine, Zoology covers principles of comparative animal anatomy, physiology, and genetics. This course begins with an overview of key concepts in zoology as students examine the characteristics of the animal cell and discuss heredity and issues of evolution, including natural selection. They then turn to taxonomy, as they study increasingly complex types of animals. Students gain a solid foundation in comparative anatomy through laboratory dissections of animals ranging from perch to fetal pigs. They become familiar with the different systems—digestive, nervous, immune, endocrine, reproductive, and circulatory—in each species they examine. As students progress through the course, they research and discuss topics including animal behavior, environmental adaptation, husbandry and domestication, and the human impact on animal life—including environmental degradation and species extinction. In lab work and in the field, students put science into practice: they learn to formulate research questions, gather and analyze data, and interpret results. On field trips to nearby zoos or veterinary facilities, students observe animals and meet with scientists to discuss current medical research and animal care. Note: Students who have taken CAA’s Animal Science should not take this course. Sample text: Zoology, Miller and Harley. Lab & Field Trip Fee: $85 Session 1: Bethlehem, Bristol, Easton
Session 2: Bethlehem, Bristol, Easton Top
Biotechnology
The Human Genome Project has already sequenced all of the approximately 20,000 genes in human DNA. How did scientists gather this information? What opportunities does it provide for curing congenital diseases or cancer? What ethical questions does it pose in terms of privacy rights or reproduction? This course introduces students to the biology, technology, and potential of genetics. Students first explore some fundamental principles of genetics, including mitosis, meiosis, and Mendelian inheritance, as they establish the necessary base for studying more advanced concepts. Next they turn to the structure and function of DNA and RNA, sources and types of mutations, and genetic biotechnology. Lab work gives students hands-on experience as they isolate the DNA molecule from common bacteria and split genes with restriction enzymes. Students also conduct gel electrophoresis, model the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and examine DNA vaccines. Throughout the course, students present current research on various topics in molecular biology. Highlights of the course include visiting a genetics laboratory and/or hearing guest speakers from local medical centers discuss their work in human genetics. With their newly acquired scientific foundation in the field, students deliberate on the significance of genetics in society and on the future of genetic inquiry and technology. Sample text: Biotechnology: Demystifying the Concepts, Bourgaize, et al. Lab & Field Trip Fee: $85 Session 1: Bethlehem, Bristol
Session 2: Bethlehem, Bristol Top
Medical Sciences: Pharmacology & Toxicology
When is a chemical a drug and when is it a toxin? The line between healing and poisoning can be a very fine one, and this course covers the fundamentals of two medical disciplines which are intricately linked: pharmacology and toxicology. Students begin by learning the basic principles of pharmacology, including drug receptor interactions, structure activity relationships, and cellular control mechanisms. The course then turns its focus to applications of drugs and toxins for human use. Students research the testing and development history of aspirin, penicillin, and other common pharmaceuticals. They also evaluate the risks and benefits of new drugs and other chemicals and examine mechanisms by which chemical agents evoke toxicity. Students consider recent biomedical research affecting the fields of pharmacology and toxicology. These medical issues include attention to alternative medicine, the differences in functioning and testing of natural vs. synthetic medicines, and pharmacological applications of information gathered from the Human Genome Project. Lab work includes studying principles of drug action. Sample texts: Clinical Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy, Springhouse Publishing Company; Silent Spring, Carson. Lab Fee: $65 Session 1: Bethlehem, Bristol
Session 2: Bethlehem, Bristol Top
Chemistry in Society
From artificial sweeteners in a diet soft drink to Gore-Tex® in a windbreaker, applications of chemistry are integral to our everyday lives. This course, designed for those who have not yet taken a chemistry course, gives students an introduction to the field of chemistry and its uses in the world around us. The course begins with an examination of fundamental concepts such as the periodic table, atomic structure, chemical bonding, and chemical reactions. Through discussions, hands-on activities, and lab exercises, students address more complex chemistry topics involving food, energy, pharmaceuticals, and technology. For instance, students may examine the sugar content of soft drinks through a hydrometer, carry out chromatographic separations, or analyze SPF 40 sunscreens to test whether they can live up to their claims. Course activities emphasize learning concepts in a laboratory setting to understand how chemistry affects our surroundings and daily routines. Lab activities include identifying unknown substances, polymerizing styrene, isolating proteins, and examining the enzymatic breakdown of starch. Sample text: Chemistry in the Community, American Chemical Society. Lab Fee: $65 Session 1: Bristol, Easton
Session 2: Bristol, Easton Top
Nuclear Science
By the turn of the twentieth century, scientists had observed radioactivity. Soon after, they used Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc2, to posit that the tiny amounts of mass lost during the radioactive decay of an atom could be harnessed to generate an enormous amount of energy. During World War II, Einstein, among others, alerted President Roosevelt that this energy, stored in the unimaginably small nucleus of an atom, could possibly be used to create a terrifying new weapon. Thus began the secretive work that produced the atomic bomb and initiated the peacetime field of nuclear science. Today, nuclear science permeates our lives. The uncontrolled fission reaction of an atomic bomb is now controlled in nuclear power plants to provide electricity to our communities. Radioactive atoms are used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including cancer. Irradiating foods give them longer shelf lives. Through hands-on work and an examination of the history of nuclear science, students learn the principles of natural and artificial radioactivity, nuclear reactions, half-life, and isotopes. They investigate nuclear technologies such as carbon-14 dating and radiation treatments for cancer, as well as safety standards and the effects of radiation exposure. In addition to lecture and discussion sessions, students participate in activities such as simulating fission and chain reactions, measuring background radiation, and observing vapor trails left by electrons. Note: Students work with educational kits designed for student safety. Their exposure to radioactive material is equivalent to that of handling a household smoke detector. Sample texts: The Making of the Atomic Bomb, Rhodes; materials compiled by the instructor. Lab Fee: $65 Session 1: Bristol, Santa Cruz
Session 2: Bristol, Santa Cruz Top
Principles of Engineering Design
Students in this course explore key principles of engineering design by constructing working models. Through this hands-on learning process, students also gain exposure to fundamental topics in physics including Newton’s laws of motion, energy, electricity and magnetism, properties of materials, basic atomic structure, and fluid dynamics. In small groups, students design and build working models of a number of devices. Examples include, but are not limited to, solar-powered cars, mousetrap-powered cars, electrical circuits, truss/suspension bridges, gliders, and tabletop roller coasters. In addition to these projects, students complete related experiments on topics such as linear and projectile motion, simple machines, electrical circuits, and photovoltaic cells. As a part of the engineering design process, students document their procedures, data, and conclusions. In addition, students submit written reports for review. These reports are likely to be in the form of a bid proposal to a fictitious company in which the students must persuade the company’s CEO to select their group’s design for a lucrative contract. Sample text: Materials compiled by the instructor. Lab Fee: $65 Session 1: Bethlehem, Bristol, Easton, Santa Cruz, Thousand Oaks
Session 2: Bethlehem, Bristol, Easton, Santa Cruz, Thousand Oaks Top
Introduction to Astronomy
Not since the seventeenth century, when Galileo first looked through lenses into the skies, has there been such an explosion of discovery and understanding of the universe as in the past 50 years. In this course, students are exposed to the physics and mathematical concepts which are part of the science of astronomy, including such topics as planetary science; solar physics; stellar evolution; general relativity; and exotic objects such as quasars, pulsars, and black holes. Students also investigate the history of this ancient discipline, from Stonehenge to the Hubble Space Telescope. Students tackle many hands-on activities and labs: analyzing emission spectra, examining telescopic optics, plotting sunspots, determining Hubble’s constant, and calculating the distance and magnitude of stars. They have opportunities to visit local observatories, planetariums, or science centers. In class discussions, students use their new foundation in astronomy to consider its role in our lives on Earth, cosmology, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Sample text: Horizons: Exploring the Universe, Seeds. Lab & Field Trip Fee: $85 Session 1: Santa Cruz
Session 2: Santa Cruz Top
Oceanography: The Hawaiian Pacific
In this course, modeled on first-year college oceanography courses, students explore the physical, chemical, geological, and biological features of the waters of the Hawaiian Islands. Students learn the structure, formation, and features of the Pacific Ocean basin, and examine currents, tides, and waves. What, for example, accounts for the nearly mythical nalu that draws surfers from around the world to Hawaii’s shores? Students investigate the biochemical cycles that affect seawater, and discover the ocean-atmosphere interactions that account for Hawaii’s great variety of climates. They also explore the unique marine life and marine ecosystems of Hawaii, from the shorelines to the coral reefs to the deep ocean. Students consider the ocean as a natural resource, and learn how local people struggle to balance economic and environmental concerns. Field trips to nearby research facilities, including the Oceanic Institute, and to coral reefs, such as Hanauma Bay, complement daily reading, lectures, and lab work. Note: Students will snorkel while in the field; the ability to swim and a comfort with ocean water deeper than six feet, but not previous snorkeling experience, are required. While the level of this course is advanced, students from Hawaii may have covered at least some of the material in school. Please seek guidance from your science department in determining whether this course will be appropriate, given your knowledge and experience in this subject area. Sample text: Oceanography: An Introduction to Marine Science, Garrison. Session 1: Kaneohe
Session 2: Kaneohe Top
Volcanoes: Hawaii
Few things in nature are as awe inspiring as an erupting volcano. From the explosive gases to the molten lava, volcanoes have captured our imaginations and shaped and reshaped our world. Students in this course focus on the volcanoes that formed the Hawaiian Islands and they examine their geological history and cultural impact. The course begins with a brief introduction to earth science, including a discussion of the geological layers of the earth, convection currents, and plate tectonics. Students then turn to the particulars of a volcan mantle plumes, magma flow, volcano pluming, and eruption. Throughout the course, students also link the geological characteristics of volcanoes to the particular environmental and cultural context of Hawaii. For instance, students might explore the flora and fauna of Hawaii as well as the foundation myth of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, and her role in the creation of the Hawaiian Islands. The course culminates in a trip to the Big Island where students visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park—home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Through hands-on work, research, and time in the field, students leave the course with a greater understanding of the forces that created the Hawaiian Islands. Note: Students will visit Halema`uma`u Crater, Sulphur Banks, and other areas where volcanic fumes are present. Before enrolling, students with heart or breathing problems should seek advice from a physician about the suitability of visiting such locations. Sample texts: New course. Session 1: Kaneohe
Session 2: Kaneohe Top
The Blue Crab
Callinectes sapidus, the blue crab, is perhaps the most famous catch of the Chesapeake Bay and is critical to the estuary’s economic and environmental welfare. Traveling the bay on an historic vessel, students in this course attempt to catch and examine the blue crab and help to determine its role in the complicated Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. During the field component, students travel on board the historic 58-foot buy boat Mildred Belle to various sites around the bay. While on board, students employ scientific equipment, such as plankton and otter trawl nets, a colorimeter, and a video microscope, to analyze water and marine life. Students meet and learn from scientists, watermen, government officials, and natives of the area and apply their new knowledge in real-world settings. They learn by doing as they experience the Chesapeake Bay firsthand, as watermen still do today. During the land component, students perform lab work to explore estuarine dynamics and crab anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Students also visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Students share with staff the responsibility of setting up and striking camp, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the ship. Teamwork is essential for everyone to enjoy this primitive camping experience. Throughout the course, students are challenged to understand not only marine research but also its connections to the ecological, environmental, and economic issues surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. Note: Enrollment is limited to 24 students per session. No sailing experience is required. Sample texts: Life in the Chesapeake Bay, Lippson and Lippson; The Last Waterman, Lawson. Session 1: Baltimore
Session 2: Baltimore Top
The Chesapeake Bay Oyster
Students in this course have an opportunity to help save an endangered Chesapeake Bay species, the oyster. Most scientists agree that increasing the Chesapeake’s oyster population is critical to improving the bay’s health. Students help build an oyster bed, spawn oysters in the lab, plant spat and seed oysters, and examine the oyster’s role in the bay environment. During the field component of the course, students sail aboard the skipjack Sigsbee to marine research facilities, aquaculture labs, and various historic shoreside stops. Students work alongside leading scientists in the aquaculture field and help restore a 20-acre sanctuary in Baltimore’s Patapsco River. During the land component, students investigate oyster anatomy, histology, and disease. They examine invertebrate biology and ecology topics such as estuarine interactions, predator-prey relationships, and the ecological role of the oyster beds. They learn about the watershed, water parameters, and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Students also visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Students learn several aspects of sailing, oystering, and marine research. They share the responsibility with staff of setting up and striking camp, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the ship. Teamwork is essential for everyone to enjoy this primitive camping experience. Throughout the course, students are challenged to understand not only marine research but also its connections to the ecological, environmental, and economic issues surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. Note: Enrollment is limited to 24 students per session. No sailing experience is required. Sample texts: Life in the Chesapeake Bay, Lippson and Lippson; The Last Waterman, Lawson. Session 1: Baltimore
Session 2: Baltimore Top
Whales and Estuary Systems
In this course, students learn about the whales at Stellwagen Bank near Boston, Massachusetts, and compare and contrast estuary systems located between Baltimore and New England. During their nine-day field component, students sail aboard the Lady Maryland, a 104-foot schooner. Their trip may take them through portions of the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, Hudson River, Long Island Sound, Peconic Bay, and the North Atlantic Ocean. Throughout their voyage, students employ scientific equipment, such as plankton and neuston nets and video microscopes, to analyze water and marine life in these estuarine environments. At the Stellwagen Bank, students attempt to survey and monitor the whale population through observation, photo identification, and historical analysis. During the land component, students investigate whale anatomy, physiology, adaptation, and behavior. They utilize gel electrophoresis as a technique in whale identification, continue their studies in estuarine dynamics, and visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Participants are involved in all aspects of the Lady Maryland’s operation, including raising sail, navigation, taking the helm, and daily ship maintenance. Teamwork is essential for everyone to live aboard this vessel. By the end of the session, students gain firsthand knowledge of the world’s largest mammals and a clearer understanding of their role in the marine ecosystem. Note: Enrollment is limited to 20 students per session. No previous sailing experience is necessary. While the crew aboard the Lady Maryland will do their best to assure that students encounter whales during the field component, we can make no guarantee of success. Sample texts: Life in the Chesapeake Bay, Lippson and Lippson; Stellwagen Bank, Ward. Session 1: Baltimore
Session 2: Baltimore Top | 
