TOPICS OF STUDY FOR THE NEW JERSEY SCIENCE LEAGUE 2019 SEASON

All topics of study were updated October 2018

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BIOLOGY I : No AP or second year students in this category.

60 multiple choice questions per exam with emphasis on analysis. 

Each exam will consists of drawings, diagrams, graphs, as well as lab experiments with results. 

       

        JANUARY EXAM – Carbon Compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids)

and basic chemistry including the chemistry of water and pH,  Chemical Reactions,

Enzymes, Cell structure and function, Levels of Cellular Organization, Organelles,

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic, Cell membrane structure and function, Cellular and

Intracellular transport, Tonicity, Homeostasis, Cellular Energy Flow, Photosynthesis and Respiration

 

FEBRUARY EXAM – Cellular Division - Mitosis, Meiosis, Cell Regulation, Alterations of chromosome

numbers, Karyotyping, Mendelian genetics, one and two factor crosses, incomplete dominance,

codominance, pleiotropy, polygenic inheritance, sex-linked disorders, mutations and causes,

human genetic diseases including chromosomal analysis, Variation of Traits, Pedigrees,

Structure and function of nucleic acids, Experiments identifying DNA as the hereditary molecule,

DNA replication, Roles of DNA and RNA, Protein synthesis, Viral DNA, Gene regulation and expression,

Genetic engineering, DNA technology and genomics,

 Plus review of the Jan exam.

 

MARCH EXAM - Darwin’s Theory of natural Selection, Fossil records, Gene pool, Hardy Weinberg

equations and word problems based on Hardy Weinberg equations, Speciation and its causes,

adaptive radiation, Evidence for evolution: historical thought/experimental theories of evolution…..

Biogenesis/Abiogenesis, Comparative anatomy and comparative embryology, Taxonomy: Cladograms and

Phylogenetic Trees, Genetic change in a population, Patterns and causes of Evolution, Coacervate formation,

Miller/Urey experiment. Molecular evidence

(nucleotide sequence analysis, amino acid sequence analysis),

Plus review of the Jan and Feb exams.

 

APRIL EXAM  - Evidence of diversity, Adaptation of organism to the environment, Types of biomes,

Limiting factors in Biomes, Population density and dispersal patterns, Population structure and dynamics,

Carrying capacity of a population, Exponential Growth, Human population, Boom-and-bust growth cycles,

structural features of Communities, Interactions of autotrophs and heterotrophs, Flow of energy

through an ecosystem, Symbiosis, Food cycles and webs, Cycles of Matter-Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, and

Phosphorus cycles, Ecological succession, Ecosystem models of energy flow,

Ecological experimentation and analysis, Biomagnification and bioaccumulation,

Factors affecting biodiversity in a population, Human Influence on ecosystems,

Plus review of Jan, Feb, and March exams.

 

BIOLOGY 11 For AP and second year biology students. 

50 Multiple Choice

Question topics for each test will include questions which relate to the Big Ideas I –IV listed

below taken from the Advanced Placement Curriculum designed by The College Board.

Questions will involve science practices such as analysis of data and evidence to

support biological principles. All levels of life (molecules through ecosystems)

will be explored on each exam.  In addition, for each exam the

identified content (e.g. osmoregulation) is linked to the excretory system. 

For example students should be able to answer,

how does osmoregulation occur in the nephron in the excretory system.

 

Big Idea 1:  The process of evolution drives diversity and unity of life

Big Idea 2:  Biological Systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow,

reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis

Big Idea 3:  Living Systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential

to life processes.Big Idea 4:  Biological Systems interact, and these systems and their

interactions possess complex properties.

 

JANUARY:   Structure and function of Biological Molecules, Protein Folding,

Bonding in Polymers, Enzymes, Coenzymes, Cofactors, Lipid and their Properties, 

Carbohydrates.   Structure and function of Cells, Organelles and subcellular structures. 

Cell and tissue types, Germ layers and development. Free Energy and Gibbs Reactions,

Enthalpy in Biological Systems, Biological Applications to the Laws of Thermodynamics, 

Endothermic/Exothermic Reactions, Coupled Reactions,  Photosynthesis,  Cellular Respiration,

Endotherm/Exotherm in Body Temperature Regulation, Cell Types, Surface Area/Volume Ratios,

Fluid Mosaic Model of the Membrane, Properties of Water, Osmoregulation, Membrane Transport, 

Cellular Feedback Mechanisms, Metabolic Processes and Metabolism,  Communication; signaling,

reception, transduction and response. 

 

FEBRUARY:    DNA and replication, RNA and Protein Production, RNA Types, Cell Cycle

 and Controls, Mitosis,  Meiosis, Application of Mendel’s Laws, Mendelian and

NonMendieian Genetics,  Genetic Disorders, Cancer,  Genetic Engineering Techniques,

Nonnuclear Inheritance, Transposons, Crossover,  Gene Regulation,  Apoptosis,

Developmental Genes, Mutations,  Biotechnology,  Embryonic Development in

Plants and Animals, Signaling Mechanisms,  Transmission and Transduction Pathways,

 Polyploidy,  Sex Inheritance, Mutation Effects,  Viral Replication, 

Genetic Variation  Processes, Mating Types, Behaviors and Parenting,

Bacteria and Yeast Reproduction and use in Biotech, 

Review of Jan topics.  

 

MARCH:    Evolution, Natural Selection, Artificial Selection, Mechanisms for Evolution,

Hardy Weinberg Principles, Genetic Drift, Gene flow, Evidences for Evolution,

Blast Genomic Analysis, Cladogram , Evolutionary Trees, Evolution of the Domains, 

Adaptive Radiation,  Island Biogeography Theory, Speciation, Prezygotic and

Postzygotic Mechanisms, Energy in Reproductive Strategies Hypothesis on Origins of Life, 

Virus and Bacteria types and adaptations. 

Evolution of systems in plants and animals. 

Review of Jan and Feb topics.

 

APRIL:   Ecosystem Energy Pyramid Structure, Food Web Alterations, Organ and

System Specialization, Interactions and Coordination in Plants and Animals,

Organism Responses Adaptation to Environment, Ecosystem Transformations,

Components of a community, Transpiration, Population: Variation, Growth,

Dynamics and Distribution, Exponential and Logistic Population Growth Models,

Population Density, Limiting Factors, Species Richness, Species Diversity,

Competition, Bacteria, Fungi, Symbiotic Relationships, Food Webs,

Productivity, Energy Dynamics, Keystone species, Exotic and Alien Species

Biogeochemical Cycles, Energy  of Reproductive Strategies,  Behavioral and

Physiological Response to Environmental Stress,

Taxis and Kinesis, Tropisms, Biological Rhythms, Behavioral Biology. 

Review of Jan, Feb, and March topics.

 

CHEMISTRY 1   For Honor’s, Enriched or College Prep.

Not for AP or Second year students. 

25 multiple choice questions per exam.

JANUARY: scientific method, measurement, factor label conversions, properties,

graphing, mixtures, compounds, formulas, mole, weight percent, chemical reactions,

using the metal and non-metal activity series for writing chemical reactions,

types of reactions, stoichiometry, atomic structure and history which includes alpha,

beta, gamma radiation, but not electronic configuration.

 

FEBRUARY: Quantum Theory, Electronic structure, orbital notation, dot notation,

Coulomb’s Law, periodic behavior, specific heat, heat of phase changes,

 molar heat of fusion, molar heat of vaporization, graphs of phase changes, 

plus January topics.

 

MARCH: Chemical bonding, molecular structure, simple isomers,

intermolecular attractions, redox but not balancing redox equations,

kinetic theory, solids, liquids, gases, gas laws, gas Stoichiometry,

mole fraction as applied to gases,

plus January and February topics.

 

APRIL: solutions, use of solubility rules, reaction rates, chemical equilibrium,

entropy, reaction spontaneity, Keq, acids, bases, salts, net ionic equations, 

thermo chemistry, DH, Hess’s law, radioactive decay reactions,

plus January, February, and March topics.

 

CHEMISTRY 11  For all second year and

AP level students. 

25 multiple choice questions per exam. 

All Chemistry II topics align with the AP Chemistry Board.

 

JANUARY: matter and measurement, atomic theory

(sub-atomic particles, atomic masses), spectroscopy (Beer’s Law),

Mass Spectroscopy graphs of elements (not compounds),  chemical formulas,

chemical equations (precipitation reactions, ionic equations, solubility,

acid-base reactions,  gas forming reactions, oxidation reduction reactions,

balancing redox reactions by oxidation state method, activity series,

mole relationships, mass-mass problems¸ stoichiometry of redox solutions,

solutions stoichiometry, light , photoelectron effect, emission and absorption spectra,

electronic structure and periodic table/periodicity.

 

FEBRUARY: chemical bonding, bond order (no molecular orbital theory),

doping and semiconductors, paramagnetism, and diamagnetism, electronegativity,

Lewis structures, molecular geometry, polarity of molecules,

hybridization(sp, sp2, sp3), intermolecular forces (van der Waals forces,

 relations between boiling point and vapor pressure),

thermo chemistry (enthalpy, Hess’s Law, heats of formation, bond energies, calorimetry),

phase changes (not PT diagrams), gases and gas laws,

plus January topics.

 

MARCH: non-metals, metals (not unit cells), solutions, energetics of solution formation,

kinetics, reaction mechanisms, chemical equilibrium, descriptive chemistry of the elements,

plus Jan and Feb topics.  

 

APRIL: acids, bases, and salts (hydrolysis), pH, Ka, Kb, buffers, titration curves, 

solution equilibria, redox, voltaic cells, electrochemistry, thermodynamics

(DS, DH, and DG) , descriptive chemistry of the elements,

plus Jan, Feb, and March  topics.

 

EARTH SCIENCE  72 multiple choice questions per exam. 

Each exam (Jan, Feb, March, and April)

will consists of the following distribution of topics. 

This subject is open to all students.

 

GEOLOGY: Approximately 44 questions: minerals, rocks, structure, tectonics, fault/folding,

volcanisms, glaciation, rivers ground water, ocean shore, weathering, historical, maps,

projections/lat./long./time,

 

ASTRONOMY: Approximately 14 questions: sun, moon, earth/moon/sun system,

planets, stars, galaxies, cosmology.

 

METEORLOGY: Approximately 14 questions: temperature/air masses,

pressure/highs/lows, moisture in atmosphere, weather fronts, weather maps.

 

 

Environmental Science 65 multiple choice questions per exam. 

Open to all students.  

Each exam will have questions which require an understanding of general science practices

such as interpretation, evaluation & analysis of methods, readings, models, data tables and graphs

JANUARY TOPICS:

Ecosystem structure:  species types & interactions, competition, niche and habitats

Succession:  Primary, secondary, old field, hydrosphere and indicator species.

Forests & Federal Land Use:  Cutting methods, greenbelts, ecotones, land preserves

Convection currents in water, air & land; deep and surface currents.

“Spheres”   hydrosphere, geosphere, atmosphere: layers & composition

Biogeochemical cycles: carbon & hydrologic cycles; Biomes & their soil characteristics

Water   - Distribution,  ocean, estuary & river systems, upwelling, El and La Nino,

Salt water intrusion, thermohaline currents, Coriolis Effect, permeability & porosity of water in soil

 

FEBRUARY TOPICS:

Soil Dynamics – structure/development, profile and reading soil triangle, depletion of nutrients,

biogeochemical cycles. Succession: primary and  secondary

Water: ocean zones, streams and rivers, estuary areas and wetlands, testing methods.

Agriculture and Soil and Water:  traditional & sustainable; erosion, irrigation issues, pest controls,

salt water intrusion,; salinization, fertilizer issues, conservation

Population Dynamics:

I. Biological population dynamics: distribution, density, carrying capacity, niche

II. Reproductive strategies: r & K strategists , survivorship, interactions,

III. Human Population Dynamics: Demographic Transition Model, growth rates   

Pollution and Health/Disease issues related to the environment.  Plus January Topics.

 

MARCH TEST

Population Dynamics:

I. Biological population dynamics: distribution patterns, density, carrying capacity, niche

II. Reproductive strategies: r and K strategists , survivorship curves, species:

interactions, keystone, diversity

III. Changes in Population:   growth rates, doubling times, exponential growth,

counting techniques, interaction between species

Energy Concepts:  Productivity,  trophic levels, food chains and webs

Water Resources, Use, Pollution –zones, freshwater/saltwater concepts, 

eutrophication,  surface & groundwater issues, irrigation, marine concepts,  waterway issues

Waste-Wastewater treatment process, point & non-point, degradation & health issues

Mining, Fishing, Biodiversity: extinction, loss, habitat destruction, laws.   January & February Topics

 

APRIL TEST

Waste:  Wastewater treatment process

Stratospheric Ozone - Air Pollution – Sources, primary & secondary; major air pollutants;

heat islands, remediation and reduction strategies 

Climate Change - Greenhouse gases & effect; impacts of global warming;  

Energy – traditional and renewable forms of energy, power; conversions;

safety issues; radiation & health; radioactive wastes

Pollution:   Issues and ways to remediate   Plus Jan, Feb, and March topics.

 

High School PHYSICS  For all Honors and college prep students

who are taking regular high school physics or physics first.

(No APâ level students). 

25 multiple choice questions per exam.

 

JANUARY: scalars, vectors, kinematics, projectiles, mass, Newton’s Laws, forces

(mechanical, gravitational, frictional, centripetal),

 

FEBRUARY: impulse, linear momentum and its conservation,

elastic and inelastic collisions, work, potential and kinetic energy and

its conservation of energy, power, plus January Topics

 

MARCH: Simple harmonic motion of simple pendulae and mass-spring systems. 

Wave propagation, standing waves, sound, plus January and February topics.  

.

APRIL: electrical charges, fields and force, Coulombs Law,

voltage sources and resistances, series/parallel networks, magnetism.

Optics: light, index of refraction, color, lenses, mirrors, interference phenomena,

plus January, February, and March Topics.

 

PHYSICS I (not physics first) for all students currently enrolled

in AP physics I. 

25 multiple choice questions per exam.

All topics in AP Physics I align with the AP College Board. 

 

JANUARY: Kinematic, Dynamics, Circular Motion, Universal Gravitation.

 

FEBRUARY: impulse and linear momentum and conservation of linear momentum:

Work and Energy, Conservation of Energy, Collisions, Plus review of Jan topics

 

MARCH:  Rotational kinematics, torque, rotational dynamics, Conservation

of angular momentum, Simple Harmonic motion: simple pendulum, Mass-spring systems

Plus review of Jan and Feb topics

 

APRIL: Introductory electrostatics: Concepts of electric charge:

Conservation of electric charge, Coulomb’s Law, DC circuits (resistors only)

Mechanical waves and sound,

Plus review of Jan, Feb, and March topics.

 

PHYSICS II: for all students currently enrolled in

AP physics II. 

25 multiple choice questions per exam.

All topics in Physics II align with the AP College Board.

           

JANUARY: Fluid Statics and Dynamics; Heat & Thermodynamics: 

laws of thermodynamics, ideal gases, and kinetic theory, PV diagrams,

 

FEBRUARY: Electrostatics: electric force, fields, & potential, DC Circuits and RC Circuits,

plus January Topics

 

MARCH: Magnetics and Electromagnetic induction, Geometric & Physical optics,

plus Jan and Feb Topics

 

APRIL Quantum physics, atomic and nuclear physics,

plus Jan, Feb and March topics.

 

PHYSICS C: For all students taking Physics C

who are currently enrolled in a Physics C course.  

25 multiple choice questions per exam

 

JANUARY: kinematics in one and two dimensions; Newton's laws including

resistance forces and dynamics of circular motion; vector algebra

(mostly assumed as needed); energy and its conservation including potential energy

and conservative forces, momentum and its conservation including

two-dimensional situations.


FEBRUARY: angular mechanics including rotational equilibrium,

rotational dynamics, rotational energy, and angular momentum;

oscillatory motion including kinematics, dynamics, energy, and damping;

gravitation including kinematics and dynamics of planetary motion,

angular momentum, and energy as applied to gravitation.

Plus Jan topics


MARCH: electrostatics including electrostatic forces, electrostatic field,

electrostatic field flux and Gauss's Law; electrostatic potential and potential energy;

dc electrical circuits including multi-loop circuits and power; capacitors, dielectrics,

and circuits with capacitors. 

Plus Jan and Feb topics


APRIL: Magnetic Fields and Forces including the applications of the Lorenz force,

 the Law of Biot-Savart, Ampere's Law, magnetic field flux and Faraday's Law,

Lenz's Law for electromagnetic induction; magnetic materials, applications of

electromagnetic induction, and circuits with inductors.

Plus Jan, Feb, and March topics

 

TESTING DATES FOR THE NEW JERSEY SCIENCE LEAGUE

Dates for 2019 Season

Thursday January 10, 2019    Thursday February 14, 2019

Thursday March 14, 2019     Thursday April 11, 2019

All schools must complete the April exam and mail in the results by April 30th, 2019

  No area may take the April exam during the first week of April or the first week of May

 

New Jersey Science League

PO Box 65 Stewartsville, NJ 08886-0065

Phone # 908-213-8923  fax # 908-213-9272  email newjsl@ptd.net    Web address http:entnet.com/~personal/njscil/html/