SCIENCE

This course provides the student with an understanding and an appreciation of this planet. Some of the topics covered are: Earth dimensions, minerals and rocks, the dynamic crust, earthquakes, landscapes, glacial geology, the Earth’s history, meteorology, water cycle and climate and environmental awareness.   The student should have a background in the skills of observation and interpretation and analysis of data. The course is a Regents course. Minimum laboratory time is 1200 minutes. An acceptable written report is required for each laboratory investigation. Prior to the written portion of the Regents examination, students will be required to complete a laboratory performance test. The final exam is a Regents exam.

This course will give the students an understanding of the living environment. The student will apply scientific concepts, principles and theories pertaining to the living environment and recognize the historical development of these ideas. 1200 minutes of laboratory work plus a satisfactory written report of each laboratory investigation are required prior to being admitted to the Regents exam in June. Some topics covered are: similarities and differences among living and nonliving things, inheritance of genetic information, changes in organisms and species over time, continuity of life, dynamic equilibrium in living organisms, dependence of plants and animals on each other, the effect of human decisions and activities on the physical and living environment. The final exam is a Regents Exam in June.

 

The Regents Chemistry course is designed for the student who has an interest in modern Chemistry and the effect that it has on his/her life. Some of the topics covered are: matter and energy, atomic structure, bonding, Periodic Table, mathematics of Chemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry and organic chemistry. Prerequisites: Completion of Math Course 2 and the approval of the current science teacher. The Chemistry student is required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of lab and have an acceptable written report on file for each laboratory investigation before being admitted to the Regents examination. Lab will include use of PASCO Explorer GX to record and analyze data.

 

This course covers the concepts of motion, light and sound waves, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. Emphasis is on mathematical analysis. Laboratory includes use of new PASCO technology. A minimum of 1200 minutes of lab and an acceptable written report on each laboratory investigation are required for admission to the Regents examination. Prerequisites: Approval of current science teacher, successful completion of Regents Chemistry, and be in (or have completed) Algebra 2 / Trigonometry.

These courses involve a more intensive approach to the Regents course of study. The more highly motivated students are recommended for these courses. Prerequisite: Department approval.

This is an advanced elective course offered to students who have completed Regents Biology and Chemistry with an average of 90 or above. The AP course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory Biology course taken by Biology majors. Areas covered are cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, and plant and animal form and function. Lab work with acceptable reports is required. The AP examination is mandatory at the end of the year at a fee of ~$85.00. (St. John’s University credit is also available.) Each student must purchase his/her textbook, workbook and lab book. The cost is approximately $150.00. Department approval is required for admission to this course. The student who does best in this course loves Biology and has a strong work ethic.

 

This is an advanced elective course that includes the study of environmental science both locally and globally. Topics will include ecological principles, population dynamics, economics, law, philosophy, resource management and sustaining society. Classroom work will be supplemented with regular lab work, which will require write-ups. Each student must purchase an Environmental Science textbook. The AP examination is mandatory at the end of the year. A fee of ~$85.00 for the AP exam is also required. Department approval is required for admission to this course.

 

This year long course will provide the student with an understanding of the major concepts of traditional physics, including measurements and mathematics, mechanics, energy, electricity and magnetism, waves and light, and the modern physics topics of quantitative mechanics, relativity, and nuclear physics. This is not a Regents course, so no lab work will be required. Instead, students will be assigned quarter projects. This course is intended to be a fourth year science elective.

 

This is an advanced two-semester course offered to seniors. This college-level course is designed to explore the fundamental laws and principles of chemistry. Concepts of chemistry that are covered include stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, properties of matter, inorganic chemical reactions, kinetics and equilibrium, electrochemistry, and acids and bases. Laboratory exercises will further demonstrate course topics and help develop appropriate lab techniques. College credit is available through St. John’s University. Students must purchase their own textbook / lab book. Departmental approval is required for admission to this course.