Science Department

The Science Department is designed to reach the student’s individual needs in the study of science through inquiry and laboratory procedures. The general fields are Living Environment, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Physiology, A. P. Biology, A. P. Physics that may be pursued according to the following sequences:

REGENTS LIVING ENVIRONMENT – Grade 9
This course follows the New York State Regents curriculum for Biology:  The Living Environment.  Six important themes will be covered.  They include:  1) Evolution 2) Energy, Matter, and Organization 3) Maintaining a Dynamic Equilibrium 4) Reproduction, Growth, and Development 5) Genetics and Molecular Biology 6) The Interaction and Interdependence of Organisms.  Students participate in both lecture and lab and are required to take in June the NYS Regents Exam in Biology:  The Living Environment.
        PREREQUISITE:  None

LIVING ENVIRONMENT I – Grade 9
This course covers selected topics in Biology:  The Living Environment and follows the New York State Regents Curriculum for Biology:  The Living Environment.  Lecture and Lab are an integral part of this course as they aid in concept clarification and help relate concepts to reality through scientific inquiry.  Upon completion students will go on to Living Environment II.
        PREREQUISITE:  None

LIVING ENVIRONMENT II – Grade 10
This course is a continuation of Living Environment I and follows the New York State Regents curriculum for The Living Environment.  Students participate in both lecture and lab and are required in June to take the NYS Regents examination in The Living Environment.
        PREREQUISITE:  Living Environment I

 CHEMISTRY REGENTS  – Grades 10-11
This course follows the New York State Regents Core Curriculum for Chemistry--The Physical Setting .  Topics are covered in depth and include matter and energy, atomic structure, chemical bonding, the periodic table, mathematics of chemistry, kinetics and equilibrium, acids and bases, redox and electro-chemistry, organic and nuclear chemistry.  This course includes both lecture and laboratory oriented work.  The students are required to take the NYS Regents Examination in Chemistry in June.
        PREREQUISITE:   Regents Living Environment or Living Environment I and II with an 80% or above /
                                          Math A exam 75% or above

CHEMISTRY Non-Regents – Grade 10-11
This course follows New York State Regents Core Curriculum for Chemistry--The Physical Setting.  The topics listed above are all covered but not as in depth as in a Regents course.  The students are not required to take the NYS Regents Examination in June.
         PREREQUISITE:  Regents Living Environment or Living Environment I and II with a 65% or above / Math A Regents
                                          with a 65% or above

EARTH SCIENCE REGENTS – Grades 11-12
This course follows the New York State Regents curriculum for Earth Science--The Physical Setting.  Topics include minerals, rocks, earth, motion, dimensions and history, earthquakes, oceanography, astronomy, meteorology, the water cycle and climates, atmospheric energy, landscape development and environmental change, deposition, weathering and erosion.  Laboratory exercises are also an integral part of the course that gives hands-on experience on mineral identification and testing.  The students are required to take the NYS Regents examination in Earth Science in June.
        PREREQUISITE:  Regents Living Environment and Regents Chemistry 75% or above / Math A Regents or Intermediate Algebra
                                        with 70% or above

EARTH SCIENCE NON-REGENTS - Grades 11-12
This course follows the New York State Regents curriculum for Earth Science--The Physical Setting.  The same topics are covered but not as in depth as in a Regents course.  The students are not required to take the NYS Regents examination in June.
        PREREQUISITE:  Living Environment and Chemistry with 65% or above / Math  A Regents or Intermediate Algebra with 70%
                                        or above

PHYSICS REGENTS – Grades 11-12
This course follows the New York State Regents curriculum for Physics--The Physical Setting.  The main areas covered include mechanics, energy, electricity and magnetism, wave phenomena, motion, forces, heat, light, sound, nuclear physics and relativity.  Lecture, laboratory experiments, problem-solving, and record keeping are an integral part to this course.  Upon completion, students are required to take the NYS Regents examination in June.  Limited to 25 students.
        PREREQUISITE:  Regents Living Environment, Regents Chemistry, and Math A Exam 80% or above, Chemistry Regents average
                                         80% or above.   Approval must be obtained from the department chairperson (NO EXCEPTIONS)

PHYSIOLOGY – Grade 12 Elective
A course designed to present more detailed explanations of some of the functions of the human body beyond those already covered in a first-year biology course.  It also provides basic knowledge represented by the latest advances in the various areas of the subject.
        PREREQUISITE:  65% or above in Regents Living Environment; Chemistry; Earth  Science / 65% or above in Living
                                        Environment I and II; Chemistry

LIVING ENVIRONMENT REGENTS STANDARDS
This course will be offered to students who have not yet passed the Living Environment Regents.  It will be a one-semester course with no credit.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY - Grade 12 Elective
The Advanced Placement Program is a cooperative education endeavor with the College Entrance Examination Board.  A course in Advanced Placement Biology is designed to provide able and highly motivated students with an opportunity to pursue college-level biological studies while still in high school.  Candidates for this course must have successfully completed courses in Regents Biology or Living Environment, Chemistry, and Physics.  There is a strong emphasis on laboratory work both structured and of an original nature, designed by the students themselves.  Topics include molecules, cells, genetics, evolution, organisms, populations, and ecology.  Laboratory investigations include diffusion, osmosis, enzymes, plant pigments, photosynthesis, physiology, genetics, cell structure, respiration, reproduction, and bacteriology.  In addition, there will be extensive reading assignments to enhance students’ learning.  Many colleges will grant credit and appropriate placement to students who do well in the examination.  This special examination will be given in May, and a fee is required by the College Entrance Board.
        PREREQUISITE:  Regents grades of 85% or above in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.  Approval of chairperson
       FEE:                        Approximately $82 for testing

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS – Grade 12
The Advanced Placement Physics B course includes topics in both classical and modern physics.  Five general areas of physics will be covered:  Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and atomic nuclear physics.  Knowledge of algebra and basic trigonometry is required for the course; the basic ideas of calculus may be introduced in connection with physical concepts, such as acceleration and work.  Understanding of the basic principles involved and the ability to apply these principles in the solution of the problems should be the major goals of the course.
        PREREQUISITE:  Living Environment Regents, Chemistry Regents, Physics Regents; all must have grades of 85% or higher.
                                        Approval must be obtained from the chairperson.
       FEE:                         Approximately $82 for testing

For those considering an Advanced Placement Course in Biology and/or Physics, the following points are important:

1. Carefully read the course description.

2. Students who qualify according to the course descriptions may seek admission by teacher recommendation, department approval, and discussion of the expectations of the course with the Advanced Placement instructor.

3. High motivation to take an Advanced Placement course is extremely important for student success.

4. Because of the nature of Advanced Placement courses, the class size will be limited to 18 students.

5. Other factors used in consideration of the applicants include attendance records, SAT or PSAT scores, and writing ability.

6. A student who applies for and is accepted into the Advanced Placement course is expected to prepare for, pay for, and take the Advanced Placement exam in May.

7. The fee for the AP examination is approximately $82.
   

 

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