SCIENCE
Requirement
Students
are required to successfully complete three units and one Regents Exam in
science to graduate with a Regents diploma. Of the three units, one must be
from the Living Environment curriculum and one from the Physical Setting.
Students in pursuit of an Advanced Regents diploma are required to pass two
Regents Exams (one Physical Science and one Life Science).
Progression
9th
Grade Course Options:
Physical Science ̵=
1; 9 &=
nbsp; 1 Year 1 Unit
Physical Setting/Earth
Science Regents &nb=
sp; 1
Year 1=
Unit
Physical Setting/Earth
Science Honors =
; 1
Year 1=
Unit
10th Grade Course Options:
Living Environment/Bio=
logy
Regents =
; 1 Year 1 Unit
Living Environment/Bio=
logy
Honors &=
nbsp; 1 Year 1 Unit
11th Grade Course Options:
Physical Setting/Chemi=
stry
Regents =
; 1 Year 1 Unit
Physical Setting/Chemi=
stry
Honors &=
nbsp; 1 Year 1 Unit
Chemistry Advanced Pla=
cement &=
nbsp; 1
Year 1=
Unit
Environmental Science<=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:3'> &=
nbsp; 1 Year 1 Unit
12th Grade Course Options:
Everyday Physics &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; 1 Year 1 Unit
Physical Setting/Physi=
cs
Regents =
1
Year 1=
Unit
Physics Advanced Place=
ment –
B =
1 Year 1 Unit
Forensic Science &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; 1 Year 1 Unit
Environmental Science
Advanced Placement &=
nbsp; 1
Year 1=
Unit
Biology Advanced Place=
ment &=
nbsp; 1 Year 1 Unit
The scie=
nce
department strongly recommends that students graduate with four years of
science. We believe that taking four years of science in high school will
better prepare our students for the future, regardless of their planned
pursuits.
Physical S=
cience
– 9:
1 Year 1 Unit
Physical Science – 9 is designed to provide
students with an opportunity to complete the Physical Science credit requir=
ed
for graduation in an atmosphere that emphasizes direct instruction of essen=
tial
content and curriculum in a hands-on, interactive way. This is a rigorous, non-regents sc=
ience
course that fulfills one of the
Physical
Setting/Earth Science Regents:
1 Year 1 Unit
Earth Science Regents follows the New York State Co= re Physical Setting/Earth Science Curriculum. Skills, ideas, concepts and = facts are emphasized through laboratory experiences, classroom discussion, media demonstrations, mathematical analyses, notebook work, and textbook assignme= nts. Topics of study include Astronomy, Meteorology, and Geology. Students will collect, organize, a= nd analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laboratory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per week. The accompanying Regents exam will function as a final ex= am for this course, representing 20% of the student’s final grade.
Physical
Setting/Earth Science Honors:
1 Year 1 Unit
Earth Science Honors follows the New York State Core Physical Setting/Earth Science Curriculum as well as a number of enrichment topics. Skills, ideas, concepts and facts are emphasized through laboratory experiences, classroom discussion, media demonstrations, mathematical analy= ses, notebook work, and textbook assignments. Topics of study include Astronomy, Meteorology, and Geology. Stu= dents may be required to do independent research study or project work. Students = will collect, organize, and analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laboratory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per week. The accompanying Regents exam will function as a final exam for this course, representing 20= % of the student’s final grade.
Minimum Math Recommendation: Completion of Math 8H = or taking Algebra One concurrently.
Minimum Science Recommendation: 90% Final average in Science 8
Living
Environment/Biology Regents:
1 Year 1 Unit
Biology Regents follows the New York State Core Liv= ing Environment Curriculum. Emphasis is placed on scientific inquiry, testing a= nd analyzing proposed explanations using conventional and invented methods, examining similarities and differences among living things, reproduction and development, the basic unit of life, physiology, classification, ecology, genetics, biochemistry, and evolution.&nbs= p; Students will collect, organize, and analyze data using a computer, = the Internet and other laboratory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per week. The accompanying Regent= s exam will function as a final exam for this course, representing 20% of the student’s final grade.
Minimum Science Recommendation: A passing grade in = the Physical Setting/Earth Science Regents course.
Living
Environment/Biology Honors:
1 Year 1 Unit
Biology Honors covers the New York State Core Living Environment Curriculum as well as various enrichment topics. Students are exposed to more sophisticated concepts and probe more deeply into recent research findings than in Biology Regents.= Students may be required to do independent research study or project work. Students will collect, organize, and analyze data using a computer, t= he Internet and other laboratory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per wee= k. The accompanying Regents exam will function as a final exam for this course, representing 20% of the student’s final grade.
Minimum Science Recommendation: A final average of = 85% in Earth Science Honors or 90% in Earth Science Regents and a score of at leas= t 85% on the Physical Setting/Earth Science Regents Exam.
Physical
Setting/Chemistry Regents:
1 Year 1 Unit
Chemistry Regents follows the New York State Core Physical Setting/Chemistry Curriculum and is recommended for students plann= ing on attending a four-year college. Topics of study include matter, energy, atomic and molecular structure, the periodic table, bonding, kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base theory, organic, and nuclear chemistry. This course = is theoretical and quantitative. Students will collect, organize, and analyze data using a computer, = the Internet and other laboratory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per week. The accompanying Regent= s exam will function as a final exam for this course, representing 20% of the student’s final grade.
Minimum Math Recommendation: Successful Completion = of Extended Geometry A.
Minimum Science Recommendation: A final average of = 75% in both Earth Science Regents and Biology Regents as well as passing grades on both the Living Environment/Biology Regents Exam and the Physical Setting/E= arth Science Regents Exam.
Physical
Setting/Chemistry Honors:
1 Year 1 Unit
Chemistry Honors follows the New York State Core Ph= ysical Setting/Chemistry Curriculum as well as various enrichment topics. This cou= rse is recommended for students who desire a more in-depth and quantitative stu= dy of the topics covered in Chemistry Regents. Students may be required to do independent research study or project work. Students will collect, organize, and analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laboratory equipm= ent. Classes meet seven periods per week. The accompanying Regents exam will function as a final exam for this course, representing 20% of the student’s final grade.
Minimum Math Recommendation: Successful Completion = of Geometry.
Minimum Science Recommendation: A final average of = 85% in both Earth Science Honors = and Biology Honors or 95% in both Earth Science Regents and Biology Regents as = well as scores of at least 85% on both the Physical Setting/Earth Science Regents Exam and the Living Environment/Biology Regents Exam.
Chemistry =
Advanced
Placement:
1 Year 1 Unit
AP Chemistry is designed to be a college course that integrates introductory Regents level work with college level requirements.= It is intended for the student who has gone beyond the memorization of facts a= nd has developed the skills of logic and persistence needed to understand the mathematics and models of chemistry. In addition to the topics listed under Chemistry Regents, the course includes such topics as crystal lattices, rate laws, solubility equilibria, and titration of buffered solutions. Students = will simultaneously complete Regents and college level assignments in order to be adequately prepared for the AP exam given in early May. Students will colle= ct, organize, and analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laborat= ory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per week. The AP Exam must be taken. The accompanying Regents exam will function as a final exam for this course, representing 20% of the student’s final grade.
Minimum Math Recommendation: Successful Completion = of Geometry.
Minimum Science Recommendation: A final average of = 95% in both Earth Science Honors and Biology Honors as well as scores of at least = 85% on both the Physical setting/Earth Science Regents Exam and the Living Environment/Biology Regents Exam.
Environmen=
tal
Science:
1 Year 1 Unit
This course is designed to introduce students to the various aspects of our environment and to the interdependence of life on ea= rth. Topics of study include ecology, biodiversity, climatic changes, pollution, mineral resources, energy, and waste management. It consists of student-centered lab activities in addition to interactive and web-based research and analysis. Students will relate assigned readings to meaningful class discussion. This course can be used as the thi= rd unit of science, which is necessary for graduation with a Regents diploma. Students will collect, organize, and analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laboratory equipment.&n= bsp; Classes meet seven periods per week. A school exam is administered in J= une.
Minimum Science Recommendation: Successful completion of one unit = of Physical Science (Earth Science, Chemistry, or Physics) and one unit of Life Science (Biology).
1 Year 1 Unit
This program is designed to integrate Mathematics, Science, and Technology in a hands-on, project-based curriculum. It was developed by the Science, Technology, and Math Departments in response to the nationwide call for a m= ore science–literate workforce with the skills necessary for anticipated high–tech 21st century jobs. Topics of study include, but are n= ot limited to, projectile motion, logic, nanotechnology, and energy. Students will collect, organize, a= nd analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laboratory equipment. A school exam is administered in June.
Minimum Science Recommendation: Successful completion of one unit = of Physical Science (Earth Science, Chemistry, or Physics) and one unit of Life Science (Biology). For more information about this new and innovative program, please = see page
Everyday P=
hysics:
1 Year 1 Unit
This course is intended to provide a conceptual understanding of the basic concepts of Physics through exploration of every= day activities and things. Topics= of study include, but are not limited to, the physics of sports, flight, and visual arts. Emphasis will be placed on the meaning and implications of physical principles rather than o= n their mathematical treatment. Stude= nts will collect, organize, and analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laboratory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per week. A school exam is administered in J= une.
Minimum Math Recommendation: Completion of or enrol= lment in Geometry or Extended Geometry.
Physical
Setting/Physics Regents:
1 Year 1 Unit
Physics Regents follows the New York State Core Phy= sical Setting/Physics Curriculum. Topics of study include mechanics, energy, electricity, magnetism, wave phenomena, and modern physics. This course emphasizes the meaning and implications of physical principles as well as t= heir mathematical treatment. Stude= nts will collect, organize, and analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laboratory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per week and a midte= rm exam will be administered during January Regents week. The accompanying Regents exam will function as a final exam for this course, representing 20% of the student’s final grade.
Minimum Math Recommendation: Math A/B and Math B (t= he latter may be taken concurrently).
Minimum Science Recommendation: A final average of = 75% in Chemistry Regents and a passing grade on the Physical Setting/Chemistry Reg= ents Exam.
Physics Ad=
vanced Placement
– B:
1 Year 1 Unit
This course is intended for students who plan to ma= jor in science or engineering at highly competitive colleges and/or universities. Topics of study include those listed for Physics Regents, as well as, two dimensional collisions, torque and rotational statics, simple harmonic moti= on, Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, complex resistance circuits, capacitance in series and parallel circuits, internal resistance, electrical vector fields, electrical potential, magnet= ostatics, electromagnetic induction (Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws), Doppler Effect calculations, physical and geometric optics, the photoelectric effect and nuclear physics including mass defect calculations. Students may be required to do independent research study or project work. Students will collect, organize, and analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laboratory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per week and a midterm exam will be administered during January Regents week. The AP Exam (B version) must be taken. The accompanying Regents exam will function as a final exam for this course, representing 20% of the student’s final grade.
Minimum Math Recommendation: Completion of or enrol= lment in Pre-Calculus.
Minimum Science Recommendation: A final average of = 90% in Chemistry Honors or 80% in AP Chemistry and a score of at least 85% on the Physical Setting/Chemistry Regents Exam.
Forensic S=
cience
1 Year 1 Unit
This
course is designed to introduce students to the various aspects of forensic=
science
and its connections to earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics. Topics of study include crime scene
investigation, chemical analysis including drugs/toxicology, and biological
evidence such as
Minimum
Science Requirements: Seniors who have obtained mastery (a final course gra=
de
of at least 85%) in previous Regents level science courses (Earth Science,
Chemistry, and Living Environment) or 80% in previous Honors level science =
courses
(Earth Science, Chemistry, and Living Environment).
Environmen=
tal
Science Advanced Placement
1 Year 1 Unit
This
course will provide students with scientific principles, concepts and
methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural
world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human
made, to evaluate risks associated with these problems and to examine
alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Topics of study include geology,
biology, chemistry, social studies and economics. This course can be used as the thi=
rd
unit of science, which is necessary for graduation with a Regents diploma.<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Students will collect, organize, a=
nd
analyze data using a computer, the Internet, and other laboratory
equipment. Classes meet seven
periods per week. The AP Exam must be taken.
Minimum
Science Requirements: Seniors who have obtained mastery (a final course gra=
de
of at least 85%) in previous Regents level science courses (Earth Science,
Chemistry, and Living Environment) or 80% in previous Honors level science =
courses
(Earth Science, Chemistry, and Living Environment).
Biology Ad=
vanced Placement:
1 Year 1 Unit
AP Biology is a senior elective which is designed t= o be a college level course. It is intended for students who plan to continue their study of science beyond the first year of College Biology. The goals of this course include helping students to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology, gain an appreciation of science as a process, and prepare students to take the AP E= xam in Biology. Topics of study i= nclude molecules, cells, heredity, evolution, organisms, and populations. Students may be required to do independent research study or project work. Students will collect, organize, a= nd analyze data using a computer, the Internet and other laboratory equipment. Classes meet seven periods per week. The AP Exam must be taken.
Minimum Science Recommendation: A final average of 90% in previous Science courses (Must include Earth Science Honors, Biology Honors, and Che= mistry Honors) or a final average of 85% in Chemistry AP. Students who are accelerated in sci= ence are expected to complete Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics bef= ore enrolling in AP Biology.