Academic Departments
Science
St. John's Science Department provides students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the natural world around them. Through an emphasis on collaboration, inquiry and critical thinking, we seek to both provide the necessary skills for and inspire students to pursue higher education in the fields of science and technology.
All of our science courses meet in the Kimsey Science and Technology Center, designed in consultation with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Kimsey Center includes five wet labs, three dry labs, six traditional classrooms and a computer lab. Within these state-of-the-art facilities, we provide students with cutting-edge equipment and probeware designed to interact with the 1:1 iPad program.
Course Offerings
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Honors Anatomy and Physiology
- Honors Biology
- Honors Chemistry
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics 1
- AP Physics C
- AP Environmental Science
- Astronomy
- Marine Biology
- Topics in Chemistry
- Topics in Physics
Course Requirements
Students are required to take biology, chemistry and physics in their first three years at St. John’s. Although only three years of science are required, 90% of our students elect to take a fourth year, with more than 15% taking five classes in their four years at SJC.
The Science Department provides opportunities to succeed for students of all skill levels. In addition to the general level classes, we also offer topics, honors and Advanced Placement courses. Topics classes are designed for students who require additional reinforcement of math skills, while honors and AP courses provide a more rigorous curriculum that prepares students for upper-level college science courses.
Extracurricular Opportunities
- Robotics Team: St. John’s Robotics Team competes in the U.S. First Regional Robotics Competition against other national and international teams. The Robotics Team meets weekly throughout the fall and daily in January and February to facilitate the design and construction of their team’s competitive robot. Most of the meetings are held in the Robotics room at the end of the 300 hallway. Any student with a passion for building, tinkering or programming should look into the team's opportunities. SJC Robotics also has a direct correlation to engineering careers for students who would like to study that field.
- Eco Club: Members plan and implement green initiatives on campus, coordinate Earth Day activities and help prevent colony collapse disorder by monitoring and maintaining St. John’s local beehives.
- S.H.R.E.D. Club: Students promote eco-mindedness and help
preserve natural resources by coordinating the St. John’s recycling program.
Science Faculty
List of 11 members.
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Brian McCarthy
Department Chair, Science; AP Environmental Science, Biology202-363-2316 x1952Catholic University - B.A.
University of Maryland - M.S. -
Connor Bliss
Honors Chemistry, Chemistry202-363-2316 x1959University of Notre Dame - B.S.
University of Notre Dame - M.Ed. -
Seth Brown
Biology, Marine Biology202-363-2316 x1955Salem International University - B.S.
Salem International University - M.B.A.
Salem International University - M.Ed. -
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David Hovan
AP Physics 1, Physics202-363-2316 x1963University of Maryland - B.A.
University of Maryland - B.S.
Johns Hopkins University - M.S.Ed.
University of Maryland - M.Ed. -
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Nickola Marks
Chemistry, Topics in Chemistry202-363-2316 x1960Rollins College - B.A. -
Colleen Morse
Biology, Honors Anatomy and Physiology202-363-2316 x1957Towson University - B.S. -
Daniel Rees
Chemistry, Physics202-363-2316 x1921Louisiana State University - B.S.
Tulane University - M.S. -
Bob Trubic
AP Chemistry, AP Physics C, Honors Chemistry202-363-2316 x1956Cornell University - B.A.
North Carolina State University - M.S.
