313 Unified Biology 2 (P)

NCAA Approved Course for .5 credit only

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Unified Biology 1 and all laboratories associated with Unified Biology 1.

The Unified Biology 2 course is the second year of a two-year program and focuses on topics found in the second half of the Biology-R/H curriculum, but is a modified version of the course. Support and assessments are designed to measure instructional objectives and to allow for the special needs of each student. This program, in conjunction with the Unified Biology 1 course the previous year, culminates in the NYS Regents Exam in Life Science. This course requires the completion of laboratory investigations and the NYS Regents Exam in Life Science.

322 Biology R/H (P)

NCAA Approved Course 

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisite: Recommendation of 8th grade science teacher.  

This course is based on the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards in Life Science. For more information regarding these standards, read more on the following link: https://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/parent-resources-science. This course will cover the following topics: Structure and Function of Organisms, Inheritance and Variation of Traits in Organisms, Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems, Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, Natural Selection and Evolution.  This course requires the completion of laboratory investigations, and the New York State Regents Examination in Life Science.

All students enrolled in 322 Biology will be afforded the opportunity to earn “Honors” status through the completion of additional project based work throughout the school year.  Projects will consist of more extensive studies on selected topics and must be completed before the end of the school year. Students who satisfactorily complete the project work will be considered “Honors” students and their final course designation will be changed to reflect the honors course (322H) on their transcript.

332 Physics R (P)

NCAA Approved Course 

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisite: FSM of 75 in Chemistry R, FSM of 75 in Common Core Algebra 2 (232), concurrent enrollment in Math Precalculus (245).

Physics is a consideration of energy as the unifying factor in the study areas of Mechanics, both Static and Dynamic, Wave Mechanics, Optics, Electricity, Magnetism and Modern Physics. The approach taken is a quantitative one with an emphasis on the conceptual aspects of physics common to the areas under study. This course requires the completion of laboratory investigations, and the NYS Regents Examination in Physics. Students will be exposed to right triangle trigonometry in this course and may not have learned that topic in their respective math class yet.  

335 Environmental Science (P)

NCAA Approved Course 

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisite: FSM of 75 in Regents Biology and a FSM of 75 in Regents Chemistry. Successful completion of the Regents exam in Biology and Chemistry.

In this course, special attention will be given to the basic concepts needed to understand the many environmental and technical concerns facing humankind today. Such topics as the study of ecosystem cycles and population, energy, and pollution will be discussed. It will be necessary for students to have acquired fundamental mathematical skills in order to understand and appreciate various topics under investigation. Also it will be necessary for students to have acquired a certain proficiency in reading, writing and interpreting newspaper and or magazine articles/papers in order to be able to evaluate the latest environmental issues. After the basic concepts and theories have been presented and learned, they will be applied in the study of such issues as alternative energy sources, nuclear energy, air/water pollution and solid waste disposal. Laboratory sessions will be incorporated into regular class periods.

340 Forensics (P)

NCAA Approved Course 

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisite: Students enrolled in this course must be in 12th grade and have successfully completed at least 3 years of science as well as passed at least 1 Regents Exam in science. Successful completion of Chemistry R is recommended.

Forensics is designed to be an overview of various concepts relating to forensic science and crime scene investigation. This course is inquiry-based and investigative in nature, placing a heavy emphasis on analysis and problem-solving skills. Topics include Fingerprint Analysis, Hair Analysis, Blood Analysis, DNA Analysis, Forensic Pathology, Forensic Anthropology, Toxicology and Document Analysis. Class size is limited. This course is subject to enrollment limitations. If the number of qualified students exceeds the maximum enrollment for the program, a random lottery will be run to determine final student entry. Qualified students denied entry based on the lottery may select another science course, as long as space allows in that particular course.

342 Chemistry R (P)

NCAA Approved Course 

Full Year 1 Unit 

Prerequisite:  FSM of 75 or better in Common Core Geometry (222). FSM of 75 or better in Earth Science R and passing grade on the respective Regents Exams. 

Recommendation: FSM of 80 or better in Geometry (222). FSM of 80 or better in Earth Science R.

This course is the study of matter and energy, including the structure, composition, properties, and changes of matter. Applications of chemical principles and mathematical problems are integrated into each unit. This course requires the completion of laboratory investigations, and the NYS Regents Examination in Chemistry.

344 Advanced Placement Biology (P)

NCAA Approved Course 

Full Year  1 ½ Units (double period)

Prerequisite: FSM of 93 in Regents Biology (or 90 in honors Biology), 90 in Regents Chemistry (87 in honors Chemistry) and a 75 in Regents or Honors Physics. 

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. The AP Biology course is designed to be taken by students after the successful completion of Biology R, Chemistry R and Physics R. It aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. The course consists of three major areas: Molecules and Cells; Heredity and Evolution; and Organisms and Populations.  Students are required to complete the laboratory portion of the course which will address the thirteen labs required by the College Board. The Advanced Placement Examination is required of all students enrolled in the course. A fee is charged by the College Board and must be paid or the student may be placed in another science course. 

Students requesting this course are considered applicants to the program. Therefore, students will be reviewed by the Science Supervisor, in conjunction with teachers, and may be subject to removal based on student academic credentials, overall effort, and continued success in their current courses. Any student who wishes to enroll in this program and does NOT meet all prerequisites for this course at the time of their request must fill out a “Request for Prerequisite Waiver” form found on the NCCS Science Learning Community webpage. In addition, this course is subject to enrollment limitations. If the number of qualified students exceeds the maximum enrollment for the program, a random lottery will be run to determine final student entry. Qualified students denied entry based on the lottery may select another science course, as long as space allows in that particular course.

347 Advanced Placement Environmental Science (P)

NCAA Approved Course 

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisite: FSM of 85 in Regents Biology and an 85 in Regents Chemistry. 

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science.  This course is intended to enable students to undertake, as first-year college students, a more advanced study of topics in environmental science.  The course will address the following themes: Science is a process; Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes, the Earth itself is one interconnected system, Humans alter natural systems, Environmental problems have a cultural and social context, and Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. The course includes a strong laboratory and field investigation component. The goal of this component is to complement the classroom portion of the course by allowing students to learn about the environment through first-hand observation. The Advanced Placement Examination is required of all students taking this course. A fee is charged by the College Board and must be paid or the student may be placed in another course. 

Students requesting this course are considered applicants to the program. Therefore, students will be reviewed by the Science Supervisor, in conjunction with teachers, and may be subject to removal based on student academic credentials, overall effort, and continued success in their current courses. Any student who wishes to enroll in this program and does NOT meet all prerequisites for this course at the time of their request must fill out a “Request for Prerequisite Waiver” form found on the NCCS Science Learning Community webpage. In addition, this course is subject to enrollment limitations. If the number of qualified students exceeds the maximum enrollment for the program, a random lottery will be run to determine final student entry. Qualified students denied entry based on the lottery may select another science course, as long as space allows in that particular course.

349 UHS Physics (P)

NCAA Approved Course 

Full Year 1 Unit

Prerequisite: FSM of 93 in Regents Chemistry (or 93 in Chemistry H), FSM of 93 in Common Core Algebra 2 (or 90 in H)

The UHS Physics program includes topics in both classical and modern physics. Knowledge of algebra and 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 principles involved, and the ability to apply these principles to solve problems are major goals of the course. Laboratory work is required and will be an integral part of the course as discovery learning is the major methodology employed throughout the year. The NYS Regents examination is required of all students taking this course. Students in this course will have the opportunity to enroll in the University in the High School program and can earn up to eight (8) Siena credits upon successful completion (4 credits available per semester). Students electing to enroll in the program will be charged a fee from Siena college.  

Students requesting this course are considered applicants to the program. Therefore, students will be reviewed by the Science Supervisor, in conjunction with teachers, and may be subject to removal based on student academic credentials, overall effort, and continued success in their current courses. Any student who wishes to enroll in this program and does NOT meet all prerequisites for this course at the time of their request must fill out a “Request for Prerequisite Waiver” form found on the NCCS Science Learning Community webpage. In addition, this course is subject to enrollment limitations. If the number of qualified students exceeds the maximum enrollment for the program, a random lottery will be run to determine final student entry. Qualified students denied entry based on the lottery may select another science course, as long as space allows in that particular course.

356 Astronomy and Severe Weather

NCAA Approved Course 

Full Year 1 Unit

Semester 1 begins with a discussion about the universe and works inward toward our star (sun) and planet Earth.  Semester 2 is focused on Earth, and discusses in detail how severe weather works on the surface of the Earth.  Each of these semesters are based on a single Earth Science unit, but contain much more detail that is not covered in the regents Earth Science curriculum.  Therefore, this course is open to students in grades 11 and 12 who have completed their life science credit(s) even if they have formerly taken Earth Science.