Science
Biology
1 year/1 credit
This course provides a core of broad, general understandings of the fundamentals of biology with an extension of these understandings in several specific areas. Students learn proper laboratory techniques while attaining an appreciation for the beauty of the many life forms that share our planet. Among the topics covered are the study of life, maintenance in plants and animals, reproduction and development, genetics, evolution and ecology. Extended areas of study include biochemistry, human physiology, and modern theories of evolution. Students meet six times in a four-day cycle. A portfolio of successfully documented and completed laboratory reports representing 1,200 minutes of hands-on (not simulated) laboratory experience is required before students take the June New York State Regents Examination.
Earth and Space
1 year/1 credit
This course explores concepts and principles about the dynamic nature of our planet and its environment in space. Understanding is developed through an investigative approach that emphasizes cooperative learning during laboratory activities. Students meet six times in a four-day cycle so that time for discovery is made available to these students. Topics include investigating processes of change, the Earth and its history, energy exchanges and budgets, the rock cycle, erosion and deposition, and the Earth’s changing environment. A portfolio of successfully documented and completed laboratory reports representing 1,200 minutes of hands- on (not simulated) laboratory experience is required before students take the New York State Regents Examination in Physical Setting: Earth & Space in June.
Chemistry
1 year/1 credit
This course is aligned with the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) for chemistry and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental chemistry concepts and practices. Students will explore topics such as the structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, energy, and matter and energy in organisms within ecosystems. Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on laboratory activities and investigations to help them develop scientific inquiry and data analysis skills. They will also be encouraged to make connections between the chemistry concepts they are learning and real-world applications. This course meets six times in a four-day cycle. A portfolio of successfully documented and completed laboratory reports representing 1,200 minutes of hands-on (not simulated) laboratory experience is required before students take the June New York State Regents Examination. Preferred Recommendation: The student must successfully complete the Biology and Earth & Space courses and Regents examinations.
Chemistry Advanced
1 year/1 credit (w)
This course is aligned with the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) for chemistry and is designed for those students who have demonstrated achievement and interest at a level well above average. In addition to the topics explored in Regents Chemistry, students will also learn about topics such as electron orbital notation and chemistry mathematics specifically dimensional analysis. Throughout This course, based on the New York State Regents Chemistry Curriculum, is designed for those students who have demonstrated achievement and interest at a level well above average. Emphasis is on the basic principles of chemistry, often described mathematically and derived from laboratory experiences. Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on laboratory activities and investigations to help them develop scientific inquiry and data analysis skills. They will also be encouraged to make connections between the chemistry concepts they are learning and real-world applications. This course meets six times in a four-day cycle. A portfolio of successfully documented and completed laboratory reports representing 1,200 minutes of hands-on (not simulated) laboratory experience is required before students take the June New York State Regents Examination. Preferred Recommendation: The student must successfully complete the Biology, Earth & Space courses, and their respective Regents examinations.
Physics
1 year/1 credit
This course is based on the New York State Regents Physics Curriculum. The application of problem-solving skills utilizing mathematical techniques is emphasized and used to reinforce concepts. Students learn many basic principles through their own laboratory experiences. Students meet six times in a four-day cycle. A portfolio of successfully completed and documented laboratory reports representing 1,200 minutes of hands-on (not simulated) laboratory experience is required before students take the June New York State Regents Examination. Preferred Recommendation: The student must successfully complete Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II (or must be currently enrolled in this course as a co-requisite). Successful completion of Biology, Earth & Space and Chemistry courses and their respective Regents examinations is also recommended.
Physics Advanced
1 year/1 credit
This course is based on the New York State Regents Physics Curriculum. It is designed for 11th and 12th grade students who have demonstrated achievement and an interest at a level well above average in both science and mathematics. This course emphasizes the basic principles of physics, which are frequently described quantitatively. Concepts are discovered through direct observations and the analysis of laboratory data obtained by students. In this course students will also explore in detail the optional topics in the New York State Regents Physics Curriculum. A portfolio of successfully completed and documented laboratory reports representing 1,200 minutes of hands-on (not simulated) laboratory experience is required before students take the June New York State Regents Examination. Preferred Recommendation: The student must successfully complete Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II (or may be currently enrolled in this course as a co-requisite). Successful completion of Biology, Earth & Space and Chemistry courses and their respective Regents examinations is also recommended.
AP Biology
(Grades 11 and 12): 1 year/1 credit (w)
AP Biology is an introductory, college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biological concepts through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as evolution, cellular processes, ecology and genetics. Students meet six times in a four-day cycle. An extensive laboratory program is an integral part of the course. Students must take the AP exam in May. Prerequisite: The student must successfully complete Earth & Space, Biology, and their respective Regents examinations. The student must either take Regents-level chemistry as a co-requisite or must have completed chemistry and its Regents examination.
AP Chemistry
(Grades 11 and 12): 1 year/1 credit (w)
AP Chemistry is a first-year, college-level course in chemistry. The course is designed for students who have completed a course in high school chemistry and have demonstrated superior ability in science. Students meet six times in a four-day cycle. An extensive laboratory program is an integral part of the course. Students must take the AP exam in May. Prerequisite: The student must successfully complete Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II with their respective Regents examinations and be enrolled in Precalculus. The student should also have successfully completed Biology, Earth & Space, Chemistry and their respective Regents examinations.
AP Physics I
(Grades 11 and 12): 1 year/1 credit (w)
AP Physics I is the equivalent of a first- semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy and power; and mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits. The science practices of this course enable students to establish lines of evidence and use them to develop and refine testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena. An extensive laboratory program is an integral part of the course. Students will take the AP exam in May. Prerequisite: The student must successfully complete Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II (can be taken as a co-requisite) with their respective Regents examinations. The student must also have successfully completed Biology, Earth & Space and Chemistry and their respective Regents examinations.
AP Physics II
(Grades 11 and 12): 1 year/1 credit (w)
AP Physics II is the equivalent of a second- semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and atomic and nuclear physics. The course allows students to develop a deep understanding of foundational physics principles through an inquiry-based instructional approach. An extensive laboratory program is an integral part of the course. Students will take the AP exam in May. Prerequisite: The student must successfully complete Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II and Precalculus (can be taken as a co-requisite) with their respective Regents examinations. The student must also have successfully completed Biology, Earth & Space, Chemistry and their respective Regents as well as AP Physics 1 examination.
AP Environmental Science
(Grades 10-12): 1 year/1 credit (w)
AP Environmental Science is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. The course is designed for students who have completed courses in high school Earth Science and Living Environment and have demonstrated superior ability in science. Students meet six times in a four-day cycle. An extensive laboratory/field investigation program is an integral part of the course. Students must take the AP exam in May. Prerequisite: The student must successfully complete Earth & Space, Biology and their respective Regents examinations (Chemistry should be taken as a co-requisite).
Anatomy and Physiology
(Grades 11 and 12): 1 year/1 credit
The human body is the focus of this course. It covers topics from the muscular and skeletal systems that move the body to the nervous and circulatory systems that control and maintain the body. Students may participate in the High School Scholars Program coordinated with LIU to earn college credit. Students become familiar with basic anatomical and physiological terminology and concepts and the structure and function of body cells, tissues, organs and systems. Many concepts are learned through practical application. Preferred Recommendation: The student must successfully complete Biology, Earth & Space and Chemistry. Physics can be taken as a co-requisite.
Environmental Science
(Grades 10-12): ½ year/½ credit
Environmental science is the study of the relationships between living things and their environments. It is designed to develop an understanding of the balance of nature; to identify and analyze environmental issues (such as man’s dependence on nature); to examine our widespread pollution problem; and to view problems associated with population. Field trips and laboratory investigations are an important part of this course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of one year of science and at least one science Regents examination.
Marine Science
(Grades 10-12): ½ year/½ credit
This course is a study of life in the oceans and the marine environment, which dominates 75% of our Earth’s surface. Marine Science includes the identification and study of various animals that live in our local waters. Field trips and laboratory exercises are an extensive part of the curriculum. Prerequisite: Successful completion of one year of science and at least one science Regents examination.
Forensic Science
(Grades 10-12): 1 year/1 credit
This course provides students with the scientific principles, techniques and skills used today to link a crime suspect with the victim and crime scene. It will also provide the opportunity to stimulate interest in science using the probing questions of crime scene investigators. Seeing science through the eyes of an investigator will allow students to apply the knowledge gained through their study of biology, chemistry, physics and earth science. Through their investigations, students will improve their critical reading and thinking skills and learn principles and concepts of chemical and drug analysis, as well as the techniques used in DNA typing. The nature of physical evidence will be emphasized along with practices relating to the proper collection and preservation of evidence. Microscopic investigation of hair, fibers and trace evidence will be conducted. Forensic aspects of arson, serology, entomology, fingerprints, weather-related fatalities, document and firearm investigation will be explored. Criminal case studies, as well as issues of a sensitive nature, will be discussed as part of the coursework. Prerequisite: Successful completion of two years of science and at least one science Regents examination.
Science Research
(Grades 9-12): 1 year/1 credit
Science Research is a rigorous course designed to give students who exhibit an extraordinary interest in the various fields of science an opportunity to conduct authentic scientific research in a field of the student’s choice. This course has varying levels of challenges based on the student’s year in the program. Students become familiar with laboratory equipment and materials and learn routine lab procedures that enable them to perform advanced scientific explorations. They access information from retrieval systems and collect and analyze data. Students choose an independent topic, write a scientific paper and do an oral presentation using presentation software. All students will be required to enter various county and state competitions in the spring of each year.
PLTW
Principles of Biomedical Science
(Grades 9-12) 1 year/1 credit
In this course, students explore concepts of biology and medicine as they take on roles of different medical professionals to solve real- world problems. Over the course of the year, students are challenged in various scenarios, including investigating a crime scene to solve a mystery, diagnosing and proposing treatment to patients in a family medical practice, tracking down and containing a medical outbreak at a local hospital, stabilizing a patient during an emergency, and collaborating with others to design solutions to local and global medical problems.
PLTW
Human Body Systems
(Grades 9-12) 1 year/1 credit
Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection and homeostasis in the body. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Maniken; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of medical professionals to solve real-world medical cases.