SCIENCE

A minimum of 3 units of Science credits are required for high school students to graduate in New York State Distributed as Follows: Life Science (1); Physical Science (1); Life Science or Physical Science (1). The Science Department is strongly encouraging more students to work toward earning an Advanced Regents Diploma which requires students to have two lab science regents exams (1 Life Science (Biology) and 1 Physical).

Grade 9 only

· Biology (1 Credit) (Life Science)

· Freshman Chemistry(1 Credit) (Physical Science)

· Freshman Earth (1 Credit) (Physical Science)




Grade 10-12 Pre-Requisites

· Biology (1 Credit) (Life Science)

· Earth Science (1 Credit) (Physical Science)

· Chemistry (1 Credit) (Physical Science)

· Pre-IB Chemistry (1 Credit) (Physical Science)

· Physics CHS (1 Credit) (Physical Science)

· Environmental (1 Credit) (Physical)

· First Aid and Sports Medicine (1 Credit) (Life Science)

· Forensics (1 Credit) (Physical)

· STEAM Communications (.5 Credit)

· STEAM Research & Design Seminar (.5 Credit)

· Botany & Horticulture (.5 Credit) (Life Science)

· Microbiology & Biotechnology (.5 Credit) (Life Science)

Grade 11-12 Pre-Requisites

· Biology IB HL 1 (1 Credit) (Life Science)

· Biology IB HL 2 (1 Credit) (Life Science)

· Sports Exercise & Health IB SL (1 Credit) (Life Science)

· Anatomy & Physiology (.5 Credit) (Life Science)

· Nutrition Science (.5 Credit) (Life Science)

Some courses can count for science credit that fall outside of the science department:

Technology Courses

· Electronics (1 Credit) (Physical) (Prerequisite—student must have successful passed a science regents or be enrolled in a fundamentals)

· Robotics (.5 Credit) (Physical) (Prerequisite—student must have successful passed a science regents or be enrolled in a fundamentals)

SCIENCE COURSES

BIOLOGY

(1 CREDIT) LIFE SCIENCE (REGENTS)
A separate lab class is a required component of the course with a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience successfully completed to be eligible to site for the Regents Exam.

Living Environment Regents course is built on the knowledge, understanding, and ability to do science that students have acquired in their earlier grades. Instruction is focused on understanding important relationships, processes, mechanisms, and applications of concepts with less emphasis on the memorization of specialized terminology and technical details. The assessments test students’ ability to explain, analyze, and interpret biological processes and phenomena more than their ability to recall specific facts. The course is expected to prepare students to Explain the most important ideas about our living environment. It is accomplished through lectures, large and small group discussions, text readings and lab activities. Laboratory experiences provide the opportunity for students to develop the scientific inquiry techniques, the use of information systems, the interconnectedness of content and skills and the problem-solving approaches (The Living Environment Core Curriculum) A lab class is a required component of this class. Successful completion of the lab portion is required to sit for the Living Environment: Biology Regents exam

FRESHMAN CHEMISTRY

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE (REGENTS)

Open to 9th grade only
A separate lab class is a required component of the course with a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience successfully completed to be eligible to site for the Regents Exam.

Prerequisite: A minimum of 85% on Algebra I Regents exam or recommendation by both algebra and 8th grade science teachers

Freshman Chemistry presents a modern view of chemistry suitable for Pupils with a wide range of skills and abilities. Topics include; matter and energy, atomic structure, bonding, periodic table, mathematics of chemistry, kinetics and equilibrium, acid-base theory, and organic chemistry. A lab class is a required component of the course.

FRESHMAN EARTH SCIENCE

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE (REGENTS)

Open to 9th grade only
A separate lab class is a required component of the course with a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience successfully completed to be eligible to site for the Regents Exam.

Regents Earth Science considers the following topics: the earth in relation to the universe, galaxy and solar system, energy in earth processes, surface heating, weather, oceanic dynamics, forces which mold and modify surface features, erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes and deposition, and the identification of rocks and minerals. A lab class is a required component of the course. Students must have completed or currently be enrolled in Algebra and passed Biology.

EARTH SCIENCE

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE (REGENTS)

Open to grades 10, 11, and 12. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Passing grade on the Living Environment Regents Exam. Students must have passed Algebra, or be in Geometry and passed Biology. Also open to 9th graders who passed the Living Environment Regents exam in 8th grade
A separate lab class is a required component of the course with a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience successfully completed to be eligible to site for the Regents Exam.

Regents Earth Science considers the following topics: the earth in relation to the universe, galaxy and solar system, energy in earth processes, surface heating, weather, oceanic dynamics, forces which mold and modify surface features, erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes and deposition, and the identification of rocks and minerals. A lab class is a required component of the course. Students must have completed or currently be enrolled in Algebra and passed Biology.

CHEMISTRY PRE-IB

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE (REGENTS)

Open to grades 10 and above. Prerequisite: successful completion of Biology, Physics, 80 or above on Living Environment Regents, or the recommendation of the teacher.
A separate lab class is a required component of the course with a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience successfully completed to be eligible to site for the Regents Exam.

This course will be an extension of our current Regents Chemistry Course. It will prepare students for the science component of the International Baccalaureate Program, in addition to preparing for the NYS Regents exam in Chemistry. The course will also include an introduction to laboratory work that will familiarize students with the type of laboratory work that will be carried out in the IB program. A lab class that meets separately from the regular class is a required in this class.

CHEMISTRY

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE (REGENTS)

Open to grades 10, 11, and 12. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Regents Biology or Regents Earth Science or Algebra.

A separate lab class is a required component of the course with a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience successfully completed to be eligible to site for the Regents Exam..

Regents Chemistry presents a modern view of chemistry suitable for Pupils with a wide range of skills and abilities. Topics include; matter and energy, atomic structure, bonding, periodic table, mathematics of chemistry, kinetics and equilibrium, acid-base theory, and organic chemistry. A lab class is a required component of the course.

PHYSICS (CHS)

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE (REGENTS)

Open to grades 11 and 12

Prerequisite: The successful completion of both Regents Algebra I and Geometry.
A separate lab class is a required component of the course with a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory experience successfully completed to be eligible to site for the Regents Exam.

Regents Physics is a college preparatory course structured using the Regents standards for Physics. The Unit Topics that will be covered but not limited to are: Mechanics (Motion and Forces), Conservation of Energy & Momentum, Modern Physics, Waves, Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Radiation. Students will be expected to be able to describe physical phenomena conceptually and solve physics problems mathematically, using algebra and simple trigonometry, and support their conclusions through effective scientific writing.

GENERAL CHEMISTRY

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Prerequisite: 11-12 grade. successful completion of one regents science course

Conceptual Chemistry courses are practical, nonquantitative chemistry courses designed for students who desire an understanding of chemical concepts and applications.

GENERAL PHYSICS

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Prerequisite: 11-12 grade. successful completion of one regents science course

Conceptual Physics courses introduce students to the use of chemicals, characteristic properties of materials, and simple mechanics to better describe the world and nonliving matter. The courses emphasize precise measurements and descriptive analysis of experimental results. Topics covered may include energy and motion, electricity, magnetism, heat, the structure of matter, and how matter reacts to materials and forces

ENVIRONMENTAL

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Prerequisite: Received credit for one year of Regents Science OR successfully passed one science regents exam.

Environmental Science is designed to be an introductory course to environmental studies. The goals of this course are to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to:

1. Understand the interrelationships of the natural world;

2. To identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man-made; and

3. To evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.

Topics to be covered include Ecosystems, biodiversity, human impact on ecosystems, natural resources, pollution, energy sources, environmental justice, sustainability and personal responsibility.

FIRST AID AND SPORTS MEDICINE

(1 CREDIT) LIFE SCIENCE

Prerequisite: Received credit for one year of Regents Science OR successfully passed one science regents exam.

This semester course is designed to give students a solid background in First Aid. It will include prevention and care of athletic injuries and current topics in sports medicine. All students may have the opportunity to be certified in First Aid and CPR upon successful completion of the class. This class is open to all students who have completed the Living Environment course

FORENSICS

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Prerequisite: Received credit for one year of Regents Science OR successfully passed one science regents exam.

In Forensic science is the application of science to solving crimes in the criminal justice system. This course will investigate Criminalistics, the application of science in the services of a crime laboratory. Students will become familiar with biological evidence such as DNA fingerprinting, hair analysis, drug analysis and identification. Exposure to career pathways in the criminal justice system and hands-on learning are integrated into the study of solving crimes. Labs will be incorporated into the class to facilitate learning.

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

(.5 CREDIT) LIFE SCIENCE

Prerequisites: 11-12 grade. Successful completion of Living Environment/Biology

Usually taken after a comprehensive initial study of Biology, Anatomy and Physiology courses present the human body and biological systems in more detail. In order to understand the structure of the human body and its functions, students learn anatomical terminology, study cells and tissues, explore functional systems (skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, reproductive, nervous, and so on), and may dissect mammals.

BOTANY & HORTICULTURE

(.5 CREDIT) LIFE SCIENCE

10-12 grade

Botany courses provide students with an understanding of plants, their life cycles, and their evolutionary relationships. The Horticulture part of the course focuses on studying the art of cultivating plants in gardens to produce food and medicinal ingredients, as well as for comfort and ornamental purposes.

MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

(.5 CREDIT) LIFE SCIENCE

10-12 grade

Microbiology courses provide students with a general understanding of microbes, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and the three domain systems. Additional topics covered may include bacterial control, cell structure, fungi, protozoa, viruses and immunity, microbial genetics, and metabolism.

NUTRITION SCIENCE

(.5 CREDIT) LIFE SCIENCE

Prerequisites: 11-12 grade. Successful completion of Living Environment/Biology

Nutrition Science courses focus on the examination of individual nutrients; their structure and function in the human body; nutrient composition of food; and selection of food to meet nutrient needs, maintain health and provide satisfaction. Topics covered include digestion, absorption, and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins; vitamins and minerals; physical activity; nutritional needs throughout the life cycle; and evaluation of nutritional claims.


STEAM COMMUNICATIONS

(.5 CREDIT)

10-12 grade

The STEAM Communications course combines more than one branch of science into a cohesive study or may integrate science with another discipline. General scientific concepts are explored, including the principles underlying the scientific method and experimentation techniques. The course encourages students to explore and understand the ways in which science and technology shape culture, values, and institutions and how such factors, in turn, shape science and technology. Topics covered may include how science and technology enter society and how they change as a result of social processes and communication.

This is a problem based course that ends with a capstone presentation.

STEAM RESEARCH & DESIGN SEMINAR

(.5 CREDIT)

Prerequisite: 10-12 grade. Student should express interest in independent research in the sciences

In STEAM Research and Design courses, students conceive of, design, and complete a project using scientific inquiry and experimentation methodologies. Emphasis is typically placed on safety issues, research protocols, controlling or manipulating variables, data analysis, and a coherent display of the project and its outcome(s).

This is a problem based course that ends with a capstone presentation.

SPORTS EXERCISE AND HEALTH SCIENCE (IB)

(1 CREDIT) LIFE SCIENCE

Open to grades 11 and 12.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of a Regents level Science exam (85 or higher in course). Chemistry and/or Physics is recommended

Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) SL is an experimental science that combines academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigative kills. Moreover, the subject matter goes beyond the traditional science subjects to offer a deeper understanding of the issues related to sports, exercise and health in the 21st century. Apart from being worthy of study in its own right, SEHS is a good preparation for courses in higher or further education related to sports fitness and health, and serves as useful preparation for employment in sports and leisure industries. Students sit for three exams in May as well as completing an Internal Assessment which is equivalent to another exam grade

CHEMISTRY IB SL

(1 CREDIT) PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Prerequisite: 11/12th grade, 80% on Algebra Regents, successful completion of 2 high school science classes, enrollment in a previous chemistry class recommended and current enrollment in (or past completion of) Geometry.

This IB course will be an extension of our current Regents Chemistry course. Topics include: Stoichiometric relationships, Atomic structure, Periodicity, Chemical bonding and structure, Energetics/thermochemistry, Chemical kinetics, Equilibrium, Acids and bases, Redox processes, Organic chemistry, Measurement and data processing. A lab class that meets separately from the regular class is a required component of the course. Students will be prepared for the Regents Chemistry exam, and the IB Standard Level exam that is administered in May, which fulfills the IB science requirement for the IB Diploma

BIOLOGY IB HL 1 (CHS)

(1 CREDIT) LIFE SCIENCE

4 CHS CREDITS, SCCC, (BIO 141)

Prerequisites: Successful completion of a Regents level Science exam (65 or higher)

IB/UHS Biology is a rigorous, Group IV higher level course that is taught over two years. During the first year, students develop a broad understanding of the field of biology, explore Current topics relating to the field, and participate in research-related activities. A lab class that meets separately from the regular class is a required component of the course. This course is available to both Diploma Program and Certificate students

BIOLOGY IB HL 2 (CHS)

(1 CREDIT) LIFE SCIENCE

4 CHS CREDITS, SCCC, (BIO 142)

Satisfactory progress on IB Biology Internal Assessment at time of scheduling (verified by Year 1 instructors.)

In Year 2 Biology (Group IV subject) students perform further study in a broad range of topics relating to Biology. The IB Biology Exam is administered in May, and this course fulfills the Experimental Sciences requirement for the full IB Diploma. A lab class that meets separately from the regular class is a required component of the course. This course is available to both Diploma Program and Certificate students

ENVIRONMENTAL SYS & SOCIEITES IB SL

(1 CREDIT)

Open to grades 11 and 12.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of a Regents level Science exam (85 or higher in course).

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS IB) is an interdisciplinary course that combines many different sciences and subjects into one umbrella including Geography, Ecology, Environmental Science and Chemistry. Topics range from investigating ecosystems and biomes like tropical rainforests and deserts to studying biodiversity and endangered species, and climate change. ESS IB also examines the human population and main human impacts on a local and global level. Through studying environmental systems and societies (ES&S) students will be provided with a coherent perspective of the interrelationships between environmental systems and societies; one that enables them to adopt an informed personal response to the wide range of pressing environmental issues that they will inevitably come to face. It provides students with vast knowledge about some of the most popular topics and issues today.

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS IB) is an interdisciplinary course and because of this students can study this course and have it count as either an “individuals and societies” or a “science” course, or both. Available only at standard level (SL). This course will enable students to satisfy the requirements of two groups (group 3 and group 4) while studying one course