Science
Science 7: This course is designed to expose the students to general concepts in biology. The course includes the following topics: living things, cells, evolution and classification, plant structure and function, human body systems, human development, genetics, and ecology.
Science 7-A: This course gives a student a background in biological and physical science. This course will prepare a student for the accelerated track in the Regents Science Program. The course covers the curriculum of Science 7 and Science 8.
Science 8: This course is based on physical, chemical and earth science. The course is designed to introduce students to concepts in the scientific method, properties matter, energy transformations, forces and motion, atomic model, chemical and physical changes, earth structure, geology, weather, and astronomy.
Earth Science 9: This course is designed to prepare a student for Physical Science/Earth Science. This course will cover basic concepts in Earth Science. (Full-year, 1.0 credit)
Physical Setting/Earth Science: The Physical Setting/Earth Science course is offered to 8th grade accelerated students and 9th grade students. The core curriculum includes nine units: Earth Dimensions, Rock & Minerals, Dynamic Crust, Surface Processes & Landscapes, Earth’s History, Meteorology, Climate & Water Cycle, Astronomy, and Environmental Awareness. These units are based on the new standards and assessments in New York State. A Regents Exam culminates this full year, 1.0 credit course.
Living Environment/Biology: This course provides students with a basic understanding of biological processes and activities. This course includes the following topics: Similarities and Differences among Living Organisms, Homeostasis in Organisms, Genetic Continuity, Reproduction and Development, Evolution, Ecology, Human Impact on Ecosystems, and Scientific Inquiry and Skills. These units are based on standards and assessments in New York State. Emphasis is placed on students being able to make connections between biological processes and activities in writing. A Regents Exam culminates this full-year, 1.0 credit course.
Infectious Diseases: This course will provide to students an overview of infectious diseases – their causes, how they are spread, how they are studied, how they are prevented and/or treated, and how they have impacted human society in the past and continue to do so now.
After reviewing relevant terms from the Living Environment course (e.g., homeostasis, disease, pathogen, etc.), we will more deeply study different categories of pathogens and, where safely possible, learn the techniques used to study the pathogens. Skills in microscopy, bacteriology, and basic virology will also be studied and practiced. We will learn about the history and methods of epidemiology, and about techniques such as vaccine production and other biochemical means of preventing or treating infection. The role of the medical establishment and government organizations such as the CDC and the NIH will be discussed, as well as specific diseases and epidemics from human history including the Black Plague, smallpox, the Spanish Influenza of 1918, typhoid, HIV/AIDS and current emerging infectious diseases. (.5 credit, A/C or B/D day)
Prerequisite: Living Environment
Human & Social Biology: Human & Social Biology is a non-lab science elective available for students who have completed at least 2 years of science classes. The course will be presented in modules of study. Each module will include a topic in which students examine various aspects of how individuals find their place in society. This course can be used as 3rd year of Science. (Full year, 1.0 credit)
Physical Setting/Regents Chemistry: This course provides students with a modern view of the fundamental concepts in Chemistry. This course includes the following topics: matter, the atom, formulas & equations, the mathematics of chemistry, physical behavior of matter, the periodic table, bonding, solutions, kinetics and equilibrium, oxidation-reduction reactions, acids and bases, organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, problem solving, scientific inquiry and skills. These units are based on the standards and assessments in New York State. A Regents Exam culminates this full-year, 1.0 credit course.
Physical Setting/Physics: This course provides students with a modern view of the fundamental concepts of Physics. Instruction focuses on mathematical relationships, processes, mechanisms and the application of basic physic concepts, including mechanics, energy electricity, magnetic waves and modern physics. The content of the course is based on the New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology. A Regents Exam culminates this full-year, 1.0 credit course.
AP Biology - Grades 11-12: The course of study provides a modern view of biology and is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college course. The textbook range and depth of topics, laboratory work, and the time and effort required of students make this course much more difficult than regents biology. It is required that each student enrolled takes the A.P. Biology exam. (Full-year, 1.0 credit)
Prerequisite: Completing a summer project and completion of Chemistry
AP Chemistry - Grades 11-12: This course is an advanced level; 1.0 credit course designed to prepare students for the AP exam in May and is based on the College Board Curriculum. The course covers the equivalent of one full year of college-level General Chemistry. The course is a rigorous math-based course, with a strong laboratory component. Students are expected to complete at least one hour of outside work per night. Outside work may consist of homework, practice problems, reading, lab work and studying. AP Chemistry topics include: chemical calculations, modern atomic theory, molecular bonding and hybridization, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics, chemical equilibrium (acids and bases, aqueous, precipitation), reduction and oxidation reactions, and electrochemistry.
Prerequisite: a summer project and completion of / or enrollment in Physics