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
Intro to Healthcare Careers: This new course is a 0.5 credit course that will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00am to 7:40am. This course is geared for the student who is considering a career in healthcare but has not decided on a specific role. Time will be spent with speakers from varied healthcare professions who will give students an understanding of the requirements of their profession and what a typical day might require them to be proficient in. Healthcare speakers will be from areas such as Doctor from Medicine or Surgery, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Respiratory Therapist, Physical Therapist, Nursing, and others depending upon class interests. Other time will be spent with hands-on activities that might be required to perform for basic healthcare. The majority of the material covered will be during interviews, hands-on activities, and class discussions. It is the objective of the course to help launch the student on a career path in healthcare.
Sports Medicine 1: Class will be held throughout the school year on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00-7:40am. we will meet in the High School Library unless otherwise noted. All students are expected to attend every class unless it is an excused absence typically approved by the school. Due to the fact that we only hold class two days per week, students are only allowed to miss a total of 6 classes. I will also be asking students to complete 15 observation hours throughout the year; about 5 hours per sport season. These hours will be completed after school during sporting events. I understand this will be a challenge for those students who also play a sport, but I will work with those individuals to make sure all hours are completed. There is also the option to shadow other healthcare professionals instead of myself. This course is designed to give students an idea of all the various fields within the Sports Medicine community. There are many avenues that can be explored!
Sports Medicine 2: The Sports Medicine and Athletic Training II course is a two (2) semester course designed for students who have already taken the Introduction to Sports Medicine and Athletic Training class (Sports Med 1). It is offered as a classroom and lab course to provide students with an avenue through which to explore these fields of study. This course focuses on the basic information and skills important in the preliminary rehabilitation of athletic injuries and an introduction to strength & conditioning programming. The course includes class work and hands-on application (one 40 minute class once a week & 14 hours of after school observation, if permitted later in the year). Half of one credit may be earned for successful completion of this course.
Independent Study in the Sciences: This course is a non-lab science elective available for students who have completed at least 2 years of high school science classes. Each student will work closely with a teacher to develop a course study in a field of special interest on a previously approved topic. Within the framework of the course, the student will determine a timeline for progress, self-evaluate progress, and develop a cumulative product for evaluation. Grading will include assessment by the student and the teacher. Independent Study in the Sciences is a pass/fail course with students receiving .5 credit. This course will not replace a third year of required science.