Academics

Departments

Science

Main Number: (415) 334-0525   Fax Number: (415) 334-9726

Name/Title/Profile	E-mail	Ext.
Henriette Howett Department Chair / Teacher Teaching Credential, San Francisco State University BS, Cal State University Hayward Visit Mrs. Howett's Website		x351
Lily Mattson Teacher State of California Lifetime Teaching Credential BA, San Francisco State University		x334
Kirsten Oliver Teacher		x305
Laurie Kerrigan Teacher MS, San Francisco State University California Teaching Credential BS, UC Davis		x333
Carol Nurisso Teacher/Class Scheduler California & Illinois Teaching Credentials MS, Northern Illinois University BS, Northern Illinois University Visit Mrs. Nurisso's Website		x223

 

Department Profile

Philosophy

The Science Department faculty strives to act with integrity, honesty, fairness, and concern toward each other and our students. We hope to provide a caring environment within the classroom.

 

We work to enrich and expand our academic preparation, keep updated and in touch with current trends through attendance at classes, workshops and conferences, and through educational reading.

 

We strive to help each student reach her own academic potential by providing challenging, college-preparatory courses. We place special emphasis throughout the course sequence on our role as custodians of the earth and its goods. Also, we emphasize the role of women scientists, support, and encourage our students to pursue careers in the sciences, and prepare them to meet the challenges of our technological society.

 

General Information

Mercy High School requires a minimum of one year of a physical science and one year of a biological science. However, most of our students take three or four years of science; others elect to take five years of science by taking two courses in their junior or senior year.

 

Laboratory work is a major part of all our courses. All courses are year-long. Because we have a wide variety of courses, students may choose whichever course they are qualified to take in each subject. Placement is based on interest and previous academic record.

 

Courses Offered

Integrated Physical Science

This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of physics, chemistry and environmental issues. In this course, students investigate various aspects of the earth, including modern-day environmental issues such as pollution and global warming; explore forces, electricity, and magnetism; and, learn about atoms, compounds and their interactions. Students will see how the scientific method works and develop basic science skills that will prepare them for future science courses.

 

Biology/Honors Biology/AP Biology

These courses study cells, plants, animals, genetics, evolution of life, biotechnology, and the relationship of plants and animals to their environment.

 

Chemistry/Honors Chemistry/AP Chemistry

These courses deal with the substances that make up our environment. Students entertain such questions as” “What is pH balanced?” “Why do atoms bond?” and examine issues of biological, industrial, organic, and nuclear chemistry that challenge our world.

 

Physiology

This upper-division elective course studies the anatomy and physiology of the human body, stressing form and function, the pathology of diseases affecting each system, and the maintenance of a healthy body.

 

Physics/Honors Physics/AP Physics

These courses explore various phenomena of energy and matter, including light, sound, heat, electricity, magnetism, and laws of motion. Students entertain such questions as: “What is sound?” “Can we travel faster than the speed of light?” “What is electricity?”

 

Possible Course Sequence

• Freshman Year: Integrated Physical Science or Biology
• Sophomore Year: Biology, Honors Biology or Chemistry
• Junior Year: Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physiology, or AP Biology
• Senior Year: Physics, AP Physics, Physiology, AP Chemistry, or AP Biology