Science

LIVING ENVIRONMENT HONORS (2310)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Pass Earth Science Honors Regents 80%+ or Science 8 with a 90, plus teacher recommendation
Living Environment Honors is an enriched Living Environment Regents course open to honors-level students. The topics covered are presented from a more theoretical point of view, and greater emphasis is placed on reasoning and problem solving. The classroom and mid-year examinations are different from those in the Regents classes. The final examination is the New York State Living Environment Regents. Laboratory: The Regents examination contains a specific area in which the student must demonstrate fundamental laboratory skills pertaining to measurement. The State mandates a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with mandatory written laboratory reports. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

LIVING ENVIRONMENT REGENTS (2311)

1 Credit
Regents Living Environment provides the student with an awareness of the natural world, basic scientific concepts, and an understanding of biological processes and generalizations. The course covers the topics found in the New York State Regents Living Environment Syllabus: Scientific Method, Biochemistry, Human Physiology, Reproduction and Development, Modern Genetics, Ecology, Evolution. Laboratory: There are l6 specific laboratory skills which must be mastered, and will be evaluated at the end of the course. The Regents examination has a specific area on laboratory related questions. The State mandates a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with mandatory written laboratory reports. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

EARTH SCIENCE HONORS (2320)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Living Environment Honors and exam with an 80% or Living Environment Regents exam with a 90%
Earth Science Honors is an enriched course open to honors-level students. This is a demanding course requiring good math skills. This course covers the topics found in the New York State Regents Earth Science Syllabus:

• The Planet Earth
• The Lithosphere
• The Atmosphere and the Hydrosphere
• Earth’s Crust Earth History (Geologic Time)
• The Universe

Laboratory: The Regents examination contains a specific area in which the students must demonstrate fundamental laboratory skills pertaining to measurement. The State mandates a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with mandatory written laboratory reports.

EARTH SCIENCE REGENTS (2321)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Living Environment Regents
Regents Earth Science is designed for the grade 9 or 10 student. This is a demanding course requiring good math skills. This course covers the topics found in the New York State Regents Earth Science Syllabus:

• The Planet Earth
• The Lithosphere
• The Atmosphere and the Hydrosphere
• The Earth’s Crust Earth History (Geologic Time)
• The Universe

Laboratory: The Regents examination contains a specific area in which the student must demonstrate fundamental laboratory skills pertaining to measurement. The State mandates a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with mandatory written laboratory reports. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

EARTH SCIENCE A (2322)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Pass Living Environment Regents and Regents Exam
This course is for the student who historically has had difficulty with science and math. This course will meet the physical science requirement for graduation. Earth Science A will cover plant & Star Astronomy; weather variable & trends; climate studies; plate tectonics; earthquakes; natural disaster preparedness; Latitude and Longitude Coordinates; other topics as time allows. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

CHEMISTRY HONORS (2330)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Pass Living Environment and Earth Science Regents course and exam with 80%+   Co-requisite: Algebra 2 CC.
Chemistry Honors is an enriched Chemistry Regents course open to honors level students. The topics covered are presented from a more theoretical and mathematical point of view than Chemistry Regents. Greater emphasis is placed on reasoning and problem solving. The classroom and mid-year examinations are different from those in the Regents level classes. The final examination is the New York State Chemistry Regents. Laboratory: Laboratory work will involve study and application of the topics covered in class discussion. The State mandates a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with mandatory written laboratory reports. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

CHEMISTRY REGENTS (2331)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Pass Living Environment and Earth Science course & Regents
Chemistry Regents presents a modern view of science and is suitable for college-bound students of average ability. This course covers the topics found in the New York State Regents Chemistry Syllabus:

• Matter and Energy
• Acid-Base Theory
• Atomic Structure
• Electrochemistry
• Chemical Bonding
• Organic Chemistry
• Periodic Table
• Nuclear Chemistry
• Stoichiometry
• Industrial Applications
• Kinetics and Equilibrium
• Laboratory Techniques

Laboratory: Laboratory work will involve study and application of the topics covered in class discussion. The State mandates a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with mandatory written laboratory reports. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

CHEMISTRY (2332)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Successfully complete Regents Living Environment and Regents Earth Science
Chemistry is designed for the average student in grades l0-l2 who is interested in a less theoretical, more practical, study of the subject. The course will cover the topics found in the New York State Chemistry Syllabus.

• Similarities and Dissimilarities of Matter
• Structure and Properties of Simple Organic
• Compounds
• Chemistry in the Home
• Water and Air Pollution
• Modern Materials and Their Uses
• Chemical Analysis

Laboratory experiences will be provided. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

PHYSICS HONORS (2340)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Pass Algebra 2 CC Course & Regents, Living Environment  Earth Science and Chemistry Honors course and exam with an  80%+
Physics Honors is an enriched Physics Regents course open to honors level students. The topics covered are presented from a more theoretical and mathematical point of view. Greater emphasis is placed on reasoning and problem solving. The classroom examinations are different from those in the Regents level classes. Additional topics, not included in NYS, but frequently found on SAT II will be covered as appropriate if time permits. The final examination is the New York State Physics Regents. Laboratory: The State mandates a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with mandatory written laboratory reports. Questions based on lab exercises will be included on the Regents exam. Laboratory reports are also mandated. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

PHYSICS REGENTS (2341)

1 Credit, Prerequisite:  Pass Living Environment and Earth Science Regents, Algebra 2 CC. Regents course.
Recommended: Strongly recommend students complete Regents Chemistry prior to taking this course.
The Regents Physics course is designed for the college-bound student of average ability. Physics is a rigorous mathematical description of the universe. The major areas of interest are the study of the motion of bodies, matter, and energy and their interactions. Emphasis is placed on reasoning and problem-solving. The course has a moderate level of abstract material and there is a higher order of mathematical complexity to the problems. This course covers the following required topics found in the New York State Regents Physics:

• Mechanics
• Energy
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Wave Phenomena

The fundamental relationships in each area and their mathematical relationships are studied through lectures, teacher demonstration and student laboratory work. A sound foundation in mathematics is required. Laboratory: The state mandates a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with mandatory written laboratory reports. Questions based on lab exercises will be included on the Regents exam. Satisfactory laboratory reports are also mandated. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

PHYSICS (2342)

1 Credit, Pre-Requisite:  Pass Living Environment and Earth Science Regents. Pass Algebra 1 Regents. 
Physics is a non-regents based course designed for students to learn about Physics in the world around us.  The class will use less extensive mathematics and expose students to various topics of physics while performing and carrying out experiments.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1 (2350) AND 2 (2351)

1/2 Credit each, Prerequisite: 1 Unit H.S. Science
Environmental Science is designed to give the student an awareness of the environment, its cyclic nature and human impact on these cycles. Field studies are an integral and required part of the course, involving students intimately with the science. Students should also plan to participate in class and to work on several major projects per year. Some of the discussion will center around current environmental problems such as: air and water pollution, population growth, pesticides, energy, zoning, land use, and ethics. This course covers the material found in the New York State Environmental Science Syllabus. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

OCEANOGRAPHY (2355)

1/2 Credit, Prerequisite:  Passing grade in Earth Science
This course will provide students with a solid overview of the importance of our world’s oceans and how the physical properties of these bodies of water affect the earth’s biological, atmospheric, and geographical systems. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

ASTRONOMY (2356)

1/2 Credit, Prerequisite:  Passing grade in Earth Science
This course is a scientific exploration of the human place in the universe. Students study the origin and history of the Universe and the formation of the Earth and the solar system. Students compare the Earth’s properties with those of the other planets and explore how the heavens have influenced human thought and action. This course includes study of the properties of light and matter and the tools astronomers use to measure radiation from celestial sources. The course also covers exciting contemporary topics such as black holes, the expansion of the universe and the search for extraterrestrial life, human exploration of space and space travel. The course will require the use of junior level mathematics. Astronomy covers the following topics:

• Astronomical measurements and instruments
• Archaeoastronomy
• The Earth and Moon
• The Sun
• The Planets and their moons
• Asteroids and Comets
• The Stars
• Galaxies
• The Universe and its history
• Space Flight
• Moon Landings
• Unmanned space probes
• The influences and impact of Astronomy on cultures and societies throughout history and the present

(This course is NCAA Approved.)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CHEMISTRY (2353)

1 Credit, Prerequisite:  Pass Chemistry Honors course 80%+ OR Chemistry Regents course 90%+
Pass Algebra 2 CC Regents course with 80%+, and teacher recommendation.
AP Chemistry is designed to provide high school students with a lab course equivalent to first year college chemistry offerings. Course content, methods, challenge, and expectations are college level. AP Chemistry is mathematically rigorous and at times abstract. Students should be intrinsically motivated, interested in the exploration which is chemistry, skilled in mathematics, and devoted to study. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Chemistry Examination. Many colleges and universities grant credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination, and/or exemption from first year chemistry lab class. There is a fee to the students for the AP exam. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) BIOLOGY (2352)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Living Environment R/H & Chemistry H 80%+ or Chemistry R 90%+, and teacher recommendation.
The textbook and laboratory exercises are of college caliber. The course terminates with the required Advanced Placement Biology Examination. Some colleges and universities grant credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination. There is a fee to the students for the AP exam. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (2354)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Pass Earth Science and Living Environment. Chemistry H 80%+ or Chemistry R 90%+, and teacher recommendation.
Advanced Placement Environmental Science will provide students with a knowledge of the scientific principles, concepts and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships that exist in the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. The laboratory component exposes students to required field studies equivalent to an introductory field science course at the college level. The course terminates with the required Advanced Placement Environmental Science Examination. Some colleges and universities grant credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination. There is a fee to the students for the AP exam. This is an elective course intended for students in grades 11-12. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) PHYSICS C (2360)

1 Credit, Prequisite: Pass Honors Physics with 80% or higher, teacher recommendation. Co-requisite: AP Calculus
This course is a second-year Physics course. Topics include mechanics & electromagnetism as found on the Collegeboard website. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

SCIENCE RESEARCH 1 (2370) | SCIENCE RESEARCH 2 (2371) | SCIENCE RESEARCH 3 (2372)

1 Credit per year
Prerequisites: Science Research 1 — Pass 1 unit H.S. science, should be a sophomore
Science Research 2 — Pass Science Research 1 with 85% & teacher recommendation
Science Research 3 — Pass Science Research 2 with 85% & teacher recommendation
This program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to conduct original research on a topic that interests them. The course is an outreach program of the State University of New York at Albany, aimed to benefit high school students in the New York region and throughout the country. The course begins in the student’s sophomore year. Students entering this program should plan to participate for the remainder of high school (sophomore, junior, and senior years). During their three years, students will work with professional scientists who act as mentors during their research. The students’ research will be presented at the symposium in June of their senior year and, where appropriate, entered into competitions. After the first year, students may also choose to take the course for college credit through the State University of New York at Albany. Students opting for college credit will need to comply with the university requirements and pay the going fee for undergraduate credits. This course is not designed to replace any existing science requirements.

HEALTH (2338)

1/2 Credit, Prerequisite: None
New York State mandates one half year of Health be taught in grades 9-12. Each course consists of a combination of topics found within the following sub-groups: Physical Health, Mental and Emotional Health, Social Health, and Environmental and Community Health. Some specific topics are: Nutrition and Fitness, Smoking, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Mental Illnesses and Diseases, Relationships, Sexual Reproduction, Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer.

 PLTW OPTIONS…

PRINCIPLES OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE (2390)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Open to 10th-12th grade students. 9th-grade students must have successfully completed Living Environment Honors and Teacher Recommendation
In the introductory course of the PLTW (Project Lead The Way) Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems. (This course is NCAA Approved.)

HUMAN BODY SYSTEMS (2391)

1 Credit, Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Sciences
Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection and homeostasis. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Maniken®; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world medical cases. 

MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS (2392)

1 Credit
Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; evaluate cancer treatment options; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.