Science

1.00 unit

40 weeks/class: daily; lab: 3 periods in a 6-day cycle

Grade Level: 8 (with recommendation), 9, 10, 11, and 12

Reading Level: Above average

Prerequisite: Science 8 or Science 7 Accelerated

Final Exam: Regents exam

Earth Science is an in-depth study of geology, meteor-ology, seismology, space, and the development and characteristics of the earth. Course goals include bringing students into contact with their environment to stimulate the desire to investigate and providing students with the methods and concepts to carry out the investigation. Earth Science can be counted as the first course in a science sequence, and it satisfies the science requirement for graduation. Pupils shall have successfully completed at least 1200 minutes of performing successful laboratory work in order to take the Regents exam. Course units include investigating processes of change, the Earth model, the Earth’s energy budgets, the rock cycle, and the history of the Earth. Recommended 8^th grade Accelerated students can also take this course for the same 1.0 high school credit.

1.00 unit

40 weeks/class: daily; lab: 3 days in a 6-day cycle

Grade Level: 9 (with recommendation), 10, 11, and 12

Reading Level: Average

Prerequisite: Earth Science, “90” or above on Regents Earth Science exam, and Teacher recommendation

Final Exam: Regents exam

Living Environment is the second course in a possible science sequence. Per course outcomes, students will be able to use scientific methods to solve problems and be able to explain the basic concepts of life processes and how these processes work in a variety of organisms. This course also covers modern genetics, evolution, and the interaction of the physical and biotic environments on Earth. There are three lab sessions per 6-day cycle. Lab requirements must be successfully completed or the student will be barred from taking the final exam. The final examination is prepared by the state and fulfills the Regents requirements. Students in the Living Environment Honors class are expected to gain more in-depth knowledge, learn at a faster pace and work more independently than students who take the regular Living Environment course.

1.00 unit

40 weeks/class: daily; lab: 3 periods in a 6-day cycle

Grade Level: 10 (with recommendation), 11 and 12

Reading Level: Average to high

Prerequisite: Geometry, Earth Science, and Living Environment

Final Exam: Regents exam

Regents Chemistry is the study of the structure of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. Emphasis is placed on careful observation, accurate measurements, and the application of chemical principles to our lives. Included in the 9 meetings per 6-day cycle are 3 lab periods. The lab requirement must be completed by the last class of the year or the student is not eligible to take the Regents examination. Course units include matter and energy, atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, mathematics of chemistry, phases of matter, kinetics and equilibrium, nuclear chemistry, chemistry of acids and bases, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry.

1.00 unit

40 weeks/class: daily; lab: 3 periods in a 6-day cycle

Grade Level: 10 (with recommendation), 11 and 12

Reading Level: Average to high

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation,

Geometry, Earth Science, Living

Environment, 90+ on Living

Environment Regents exam

Final Exam: Regents exam

Regents Chemistry is the study of the structure of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. Emphasis is placed on careful observation, accurate measurements, and the application of chemical principles to our lives. Included in the 9 meetings per 6-day cycle are 3 lab periods. The lab requirement must be completed by the last class of the year or the student is not eligible to take the Regents examination. Course units include matter and energy, atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, mathematics of chemistry, phases of matter, kinetics and equilibrium, nuclear chemistry, chemistry of acids and bases, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry. Students in the Chemistry Honors class are expected to gain more in-depth knowledge, learn at a faster pace and work more independently than students who take the regular Chemistry course.

1.00 unit

40 weeks/class: daily; lab: 3 days in a 6-day cycle

Grade Level: 11 (with recommendation) and 12

Reading Level: Average to high

Prerequisite: Algebra, Algebra II, prefer enrollment in 4^th year math

Final Exam: Regents Exam

This course is a study of the natural laws that govern the universe and dwells upon the major concepts centering on our physical world and matter and energy. Students completing this course should develop an understanding of the complex structure of the universe and the interdependency of existing relationships. Three lab periods are included in the 9 meetings per cycle. Credit for this course can be applied to a science sequence. The lab requirement must be completed by the last class day or the student cannot take the final exam. Course units include mechanics, wave phenomena, electricity, and atomic and nuclear physics.

1.00 unit

40 weeks/daily, plus lab 3/6 days

Grade Level: 11, and 12

Reading Level: High

Prerequisite: Chemistry, Trigonometry/Algebra 2, and teacher recommendation, and prefer Pre-Calculus and enrollment in Calculus

Final Exam: AP exam/local final

AP Physics 1 is a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics, but is taught over a full academic year, allowing time for AP teachers and students to develop deep understandings of the content and to apply that knowledge through inquiry-based labs. The full year also allows time for inclusion of Physics content specified by state standards. Note that by itself this course will not cover sufficient topics for students to succeed on the NYS Regents Exam in Physical Science: Physics, but that supplementation information after the AP exam will enable students to succeed on the Physical Science: Physics Regents exam. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum), work, energy, and power, mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits. Students can earn up to 4 college credits for taking this course, depending on the decision of the college they attend.

1.00 unit

40 weeks/daily, plus lab 3/6 days

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: High

Prerequisite: Physics 1 AP

Final Exam: AP exam

AP Physics 2 is a second-semester college course in algebra-based physics, but is taught over a full academic year to allow teachers and students to develop deep understanding of the content and to apply that knowledge through inquiry-based labs. The full year allows time for inclusion of physics content specified by state standards as well. The course covers fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Students can earn up to 4 college credits for taking this course, depending on the decision of the college they attend.

1.00 units

40 weeks/5 periods per week

Grade Level: 11 and 12

Reading Level: High

Prerequisite: Earth Science and Living Environment required; Chemistry recommended but not required

Final Exam: Per teacher

This course investigates the interactions and relationships between humans and the Earth. It provides the scientific foundation for analyzing today’s pressing environmental issues and solutions for a sustainable future. Students will gain an understanding and an appreciation of the impact of humans on other living organisms, water resources, air quality, and energy and mineral resources. In analyzing potential solutions to these environmental issues, students will evaluate the impact of their own choices on the Earth’s resources as well as the relative role of governments in setting sustainable policies. In the laboratory component of the course, students will learn scientific methodology, sampling procedures, and methods used to test environmental quality. Some of the labs include outdoor experiences. Students can earn up to 4 college credits for this course, depending on the policies of the college they attend. See ‘College and Dual Credit Courses’ for more information.

1.00 unit

40 weeks/5 periods per week

Grade Level: 10, 11, and 12

Reading Level: Average to Above Average

Prerequisite: Earth Science, Living Environment

Final Exam: Per teacher

Forensics is an applied science that uses chemistry, biology, physics, and math to analyze crime scenes. This covers explores crime scene forensics including evidence collecting, processing procedures, and evidence chain of custody. Students also learn the history of forensics

cause and time of death, and forensic anthropology.

0.50 units

20 weeks/5 periods per week plus lab

Grade Level: 11 and 12

Reading Level: High

Prerequisite: Chemistry highly recommended

Final Exam: Per teacher

General Biology will follow the basic areas that are covered in an introductory college biology course for science majors. Many of the topics discussed will coincide with the Living Environment course, only to a higher level of difficulty. Students will be required to obtain much of the material on their own through reading assignments and class projects. They will also be required to do research of printed materials, write papers, and give oral presentations. There are three lab sessions per 6-day cycle. This course can be taken for dual credit through FLCC for a fee. See your school counselor for details. Students can earn up to 4 college credits for taking this course, depending on the decision of the college they attend.

0.50 units

20 weeks/5 periods per week plus lab

Grade Level: 11 and 12

Reading Level: High

Prerequisite: Chemistry required or approval of teacher

Final Exam: Per teacher

This is an introductory course for Conservation majors at FLCC. It is the study of fish and wildlife as a valuable aesthetic, recreational, and economic resource. Ecological consideration, life histories, identification, populations, habits, habitat, characteristics and relationship to man of regional wildlife and fish are topics that will be covered. Special attention is paid to fish and mammals of New York State. This course can be taken for dual credit through FLCC for a fee. See your school counselor for details. Students can earn up to 3 college credits for taking this course, depending on the decision of the college they attend.

0.50 units each for Fall and Spring semester

20 weeks/5 periods per week

Grade Level: 11 and 12

Reading Level: Average

Prerequisite: Earth Science, Living Environment

Final Exam: Per Teacher

The class will cover a wide variety of topics that fit into the realm of Outdoor Education. Students will actively engage in developing many important skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. There will be a strong theme throughout the course that will emphasize the study of Ecology. Students will be expected to keep a field journal throughout the course to record their experiences. Some of the activities that students will be involved in may include day hikes and extended backpacking/camping trips, mapping with compass and GPS use, outdoor leisure sports that are fitting for the season and wildlife and plant identification and Ecology. The class will also include 2 book discussions that have an Environmental focus (i.e.: Into the Wild, A Walk in the Woods).

Units Covered to include: Backpacking/Camping, Compass and Map use, Orienteering, GPS use and geocaching, Edible Plant ID, Forestry and Land Management, Wildlife Ecology, Environmental Literature, Snowshoeing/Cross Country Skiing and Fisheries and Wildlife Techniques.