• Middle School
• High School
• University Level

In this year-long course, students explore the fundamentals of physics through experimentation and discussion guided by the instructor.  Through the process, the instructor poses questions and counterexamples until the students reach a consensus in their experimentation, after which concepts are formally summarized.  This course provides a strong foundation for work in more advanced-level physics courses by introducing a number of basic skills, including significant figures, interpretation of graphs, problem solving, and basics of laboratory work.  Concepts covered include: Newtonian physics, fluids, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism.  Syllabus

JS002 - Foundations in Science: Energy and Matter

This year-long seminar-style course introduces students to the concepts that provide the foundation for physics, chemistry, and biology. Students will explore the ideas that unify the sciences, such as energy and matter, and examine these core ideas from the perspective of each discipline.  Students will use an inquiry-based approach with an emphasis on acquiring the background knowledge and perspective to develop research problems.  Through exploration of the central themes of the course, students will additionally become familiar with the basic principles of scientific reasoning.  The primary goal of the course is to provide students with a well-informed introduction to science that prevents common misconceptions and that prepares students for high-school and AP-level laboratory sciences. Prerequisite: Inquiry-based Physics (JP001) or placement  Syllabus

High School

OC005 - Honors Chemistry

Honors Chemistry is a year-long seminar-style course that introduces the fundamental language, ideas and tools used in the study of chemistry. This advanced introductory high school chemistry course covers key topics such as chemical nomenclature, stoichiometry, the periodic table, chemical bonding, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, nuclear chemistry, and common laboratory practices. Emphasis is placed on the use of chemistry in the natural world, the physical world and our daily lives. The course fosters skills necessary to describe chemical processes and behaviors and to solve numerical and verbal problems in chemistry. Through both at-home and virtual lab work, students learn useful chemistry laboratory techniques, gain the ability to formulate experimental questions, design scientific experiments, effectively articulate scientific findings, conduct error and statistical anaylsis, and strengthen understanding of course material. Upon completion, students will have a solid foundation in chemistry and will be prepared for AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and college-level chemistry courses.  Prerequisite: Middle-school or high-school science course; Corequisite: Intermediate Algebra (OM012)  Syllabus

Related course: Students also have the option of doing additional laboratory work during the OHS residential summer program at Stanford University (see OCL05 – Honors Chemistry Lab).

OCL05 - Honors Chemistry Lab (OHS Residential Summer Program at Stanford)

Honors Chemistry Lab is an OHS summer course held on the Stanford campus that allows students to explore college-level introductory chemistry topics through hands-on experimentation. Experiments correspond with topics covered in Honors Chemistry (OC005). Students gain a variety of skills needed in a cutting-edge research lab, including experience with modern tools and techniques and effective communication of results. Examples of experiments that may be performed include metal-ligand titration, calorimetry, nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, micro- and thin layer chromatography, and extraction and purification of chlorophyll and carotene from plants. Prerequisite: Honors Chemistry (OC005)

OC010 - AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry is a year-long seminar-style course that teaches students the fundamental ideas and tools of modern chemistry and covers college-level introductory chemistry topics. Students become fluent in the language, symbols, laboratory skills, and concepts of chemistry. They learn to describe chemical names, the periodic table, types of reactions, chemical reactivity, structure, bonding, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry. Throughout the course they are exposed to applications of chemistry in organic chemistry, materials science, environmental chemistry and biochemistry.  This course stresses problem solving in chemistry using verbal descriptions and mathematical relationships to describe chemical ideas and processes.  AP Chemistry gives students hands-on laboratory experience by requiring students to perform experiments at home using lab equipment and reagents purchased from a chemical supplier or household chemicals.  This course prepares students for the AP Chemistry exam. Prerequisite: Honors Chemistry (OC005) or passing score on AP Chemistry placement exam  Syllabus

Related course: Students also have the option of doing additional laboratory work during the OHS residential summer program at Stanford University (see OCL10 – AP Chemistry Lab).

OCL10 - AP Chemistry Lab (OHS Residential Summer Program at Stanford)

AP Chemistry Lab is an OHS summer course held on the Stanford campus that allows students to explore college-level introductory chemistry topics through hands-on experimentation. Experiments correspond with topics covered in AP Chemistry (OC010). Students will gain a variety of skills needed in a cutting-edge research lab including experience with modern tools and techniques and effective communication of results. Examples of experiments that may be performed include chelation titration, calorimetry, nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, silver plating, synthesis/purification of aspirin, micro- and thin layer chromatography, extraction/purification of chlorophyll and carotene from plants, and UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Prerequisite: AP Chemistry (OC010) or equivalent

OB010 - AP Biology

AP Biology is a year-long seminar course that covers college-level introductory biology topics in molecular and cellular biology; anatomy, physiology, and diversity of plants, animals, and microbes; and ecology and evolution. Emphasis is placed on the themes that unify biology, including regulation of biological processes, energy transfer, continuity and change, evolution, the relationship between structure and function, emergent properties, interdependence in nature, the scientific process, and the relevance of biology in our everyday lives. Through at-home and virtual lab work, students learn useful biological techniques, gain the ability to design scientific experiments, effectively communicate results, and strengthen their knowledge of material presented in lecture.  This course prepares students for the AP Biology exam. Prerequisite: Honors Chemistry (OC005), AP Chemistry (OC010), or consent of instructor  Syllabus

Related course: Students also have the option of doing additional laboratory work during the OHS summer program at Stanford University (see OBL10 – AP Biology Lab).

OBL10 - AP Biology Lab (OHS Residential Summer Program at Stanford)

AP Biology Lab is an OHS summer course held on the Stanford campus that allows students to explore college-level introductory biology topics through hands-on experimentation. Experiments correspond with topics covered in AP Biology (OB010). Techniques utilized to explore these topics may include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis of nucleotides or proteins, ELISA, and microscopy. Emphasis is placed on understanding the process of science, experimental design and interpretation, and the relevance of biology to our everyday lives. Students gain experience with modern biological techniques currently used in molecular biology and medical diagnostic labs, as well as learning to effectively record and communicate results. Prerequisite: AP Biology (OB010) or equivalent

OB011 - Research Topics in Biology Seminar

Research Topics in Biology is a year-long seminar course that explores a variety of biological concepts in depth through discussion of scientific research. Topics are chosen from the breadth of the discipline and build on the foundation of knowledge acquired in AP Biology. Students study molecular and cell biology, genetics, plant biology, medicine, evolution and ecology by reading both current and seminal research publications and discussing these works as a group. Not only do students gain an appreciation of relevant research topics in modern biology, but they also learn about valuable research tools and the skills necessary to understand the frontiers of the science. Prerequisite: AP Biology (OB010) or consent of instructor  Syllabus

OP005 - Honors Physics

Honors Physics is a year-long seminar-style course that introduces the fundamental language, ideas and tools used in the study of physics. This advanced introductory high school physics course covers key topics such as kinematics (displacement, velocity, acceleration, vectors), dynamics (inertia, momentum, force, Newton’s laws, kinetic and potential energy), wave phenomena, electric fields and forces, magnetism, and optics. Emphasis will be on introducing and developing those concepts, skills, and methods necessary to excel in physics, thus providing the foundation for more advanced study of physics. Through both at-home and virtual lab work, students learn useful experimental techniques, gain the ability to formulate experimental questions, design scientific experiments, effectively articulate scientific findings, and strengthen understanding of course material. Upon completion, students will have a solid foundation in physics and will be prepared for AP Physics B or C (depending on mathematics background). Corequisite: Honors Beginning Algebra (OM011) or equivalent

OP010 - AP Physics B

AP Physics B is a year-long non-calculus-based physics course that covers a broad range of introductory physics topics. The first semester covers mechanics, including study of kinematics, force, circular motion, momentum, energy, rotation, gravitation, and simple harmonic oscillation. During the second semester, the main focus is on electricity and magnetism, including exploration of electrostatic force, electric fields, electric potential, simple circuits, magnetism, and EM Waves. The second semester also covers basic thermodynamics, optics, and nuclear physics. By completing lab work (a combination of at-home labs and virtual labs), students reinforce their understanding of concepts, gain hands-on experimentation experience, and develop their written communication skills. A strong background in algebra is required, and some knowledge of trigonometry is recommended. This course prepares students for the AP Physics B exam. Prerequisite: Honors Physics (OP005) or equivalent or passing score on AP Physics placement exam; Corequisite: Honors Intermediate Algebra (OM012) or equivalent

Related course: Students also have the option of doing additional laboratory work during the OHS residential summer program at Stanford University (see OPL10 – AP Physics B Lab).

OPL10 - AP Physics B Lab (OHS Residential Summer Program at Stanford)

AP Physics B Lab is an OHS summer course held on the Stanford campus that allows students to explore college-level introductory physics topics through hands-on experimentation. Experiments correspond with topics covered in AP Physics B (OP010). Students gain a variety of skills needed in a cutting-edge research lab including experience with modern tools and techniques and effective communication of results. Prerequisite: AP Physics B (OP010) or equivalent

OP051 - AP Physics C: Mechanics (Fall only)

AP Physics C: Mechanics is a semester-long calculus-based physics course designed to be equivalent to an introductory university-level physics course when taken in conjunction with AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism (OP053). In this course, students explore mechanics, including study of kinematics, force, circular motion, momentum, energy, rotation, gravitation, and simple harmonic oscillation. By completing lab work (a mixture of at-home labs, on-site labs as part of the OHS residential summer program, and virtual labs), students reinforce their understanding of concepts, gain hands-on experimentation experience, and develop their written communication skills. This course prepares students for the AP Physics C Mechanics exam, though the scope of the course is not limited exclusively to the AP curriculum. Prior completion of AP Physics B and/or AP Calculus BC is advantageous but not required. Prerequisite: Honors Physics (OP005) or equivalent or passing score on AP Physics placement exam; Corequisite: Calculus C (OM42C) or equivalent   Syllabus

Related course: Students also have the option of doing additional laboratory work during the OHS residential summer program at Stanford University (see OPL50 – AP Physics C Lab).

OP053 - AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism (Spring only)

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a semester-long calculus-based physics course designed to be equivalent to an introductory university-level physics course when taken in conjunction with AP Physics C: Mechanics (OP051). In this course, the main focus is on electricity and magnetism, including exploration of electrostatic force, electric fields, electric potential, simple circuits, magnetic fields, induction, and EM Waves. By completing lab work (a mixture of at-home labs, on-site labs as part of the OHS residential summer program, and virtual labs), students reinforce their understanding of concepts, gain hands-on experimentation experience, and develop their written communication skills. This course prepares students for the AP Physics C Mechanics exam, though the scope of the course is not limited exclusively to the AP curriculum. Prior completion of AP Physics B and/or AP Calculus BC is advantageous but not required. Corequisite: Calculus C (OM42C) or equivalent   Syllabus

Related course: Students also have the option of doing additional laboratory work during the OHS residential summer program at Stanford University (see OPL50 – AP Physics C Lab).

OPL50 - AP Physics C Lab (OHS Residential Summer Program at Stanford)

AP Physics C Lab is an OHS summer course held on the Stanford campus that allows students to explore college-level introductory physics topics through hands-on experimentation. Experiments correspond with topics covered in AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. Students gain a variety of skills needed in a cutting-edge research lab including experience with modern tools and techniques and effective communication of results. Prerequisite: AP Physics C: Mechanics (OP051) and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism (OP053) or equivalent

OB001 - Health

The OHS Health and Wellness course is a self-paced course for students without a previous health class or AP Biology at OHS. In this course, students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain a long and healthy life by identifying and avoiding dangerous environments and risky behavior and by preventing common communicable and chronic diseases. Students also gain an appreciation for how the body and mind work and learn about the changes to be expected in the future. Finally, students learn about the role individuals play in public health and maintaining the health of a community. Using the course workbook as a guide, the course can be completed in less than a semester.

University Level

UP055 - Light and Heat

Light and Heat is a directed study course that the student completes at his or her own pace, but is designed to be completed within one semester. The course is an introduction to university-level optics and thermodynamics. Topics include temperature, properties of matter, introduction to the kinetic theory of matter, light and electromagnetic waves, reflection and refraction of light, lens systems, interference, and diffraction. Prerequisite: AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism (OP053) and consent of the instructor

UP070 - Modern Physics (Directed study: 7.5 units)

Modern Physics is a directed study course that the student completes at his or her own pace, but is designed to be completed within one semester. The course is an introduction to the ideas of modern physics. Topics include key concepts in special and general relativity, quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, high-energy particle physics, and cosmology. Prerequisite: Light and Heat (UP055) and consent of instructor )

UP110, UP111 - Intermediate Mechanics I & II

Intermediate Mechanics I & II are two directed study courses taken in sequence that the student completes at his or her own pace, but is designed to be completed within one semester each. Together, the courses provide a thorough exploration of the mechanics of systems of particles and rigid bodies. Topics include coordinate transformation and vectors, Newtonian mechanics, linear and nonlinear oscillations, Hamilton’s principle, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, non-inertial reference systems, rigid-body dynamics, coupled oscillations, and introductory fluid mechanics. Prerequisite: Modern Physics (UP070) and Differential Equations (UM53A) or equivalent and consent of instructor