1 Credit
Grade 9
This course presents the principles necessary to develop an up-to-date story of the
earth as a planet and its environment in space. Factors, which have shaped the earth in
the past and their relationship to the current processes of change, are discussed. A
number of basic concepts in the earth sciences are presented and interrelated. A
laboratory requirement is part of this course. Students are required to take the Regents
exam.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in Algebra IA or higher
1 Credit
Grade 9
This course covers the same topics as Earth Science A, but the Regents Exam is not
required. A laboratory requirement is part of this course.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in Algebra I
1 Credit
This is a course of study designed to create an understanding of complex
interrelationships between living organisms and among living systems. Major topics
include concepts of life, biochemistry, comparative anatomy of plants and animals,
human body systems, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Each unit is enriched with
hands-on laboratory experiences offering greater conceptualization of the material.
Students are required to take the Regents exam.
Prerequisite: Department recommendation
1/4 Credit
All sophomore students are required to participate in and successfully complete at
least two STEAM Challenges. Should a student fail to complete a STEAM Challenge,
that student will not receive credit for the STEAM Challenge and will have to complete
another STEAM Challenge successfully in order to receive credit. Criteria for grading
each project will be shared at the beginning of the project and may include submission
of a brief background research, project proposal, project design and construction,
project performance, and final presentation. The project must meet the minimum
requirements as described in the project description.
Prerequisite: Mandatory participation for members of grade 10
1 Credit
This course presents an introduction to chemistry. Major topics include atomic theory,
periodicity of the elements, chemical bonding, equation manipulation, simple organic
chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. A laboratory experience is a part of this course.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry, one Regents science exam, and
department recommendation
1 Credit
This course provides a thorough introduction to general chemistry. It includes an up-to-date
treatment of modern chemical theory enriched by historical background and
development. It reveals the changing nature of chemistry as an evolving and expanding
science. Topics included are atomic structure, periodicity of the elements, chemical
bonding, kinetic theory, reaction rates and chemical equilibrium, and organic and
nuclear chemistry. The laboratory portion of the course includes both quantitative and
qualitative methods of analysis.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry H or Geometry A, the Geometry
Regents exam, one Regents science exam, and department recommendation
1 Credit
Chemistry Honors is a Regents course that goes beyond the material required in the
core curriculum. Topics go into much greater depth and detail to provide the Honors
student with a deeper understanding of the science of Chemistry. Major research work
is expected on the part of the student beyond the normal course work. The laboratory
portion of the course includes both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry H or Geometry A, the Geometry
Regents exam, two Regents science exams, and department recommendation
1 Credit
This class is intended to be a hands-on course with the majority of class time spent in
the lab utilizing forensic techniques. The major areas of course work include problems
with eyewitness testimony, fingerprints, hair, and fiber and blood spatter analysis.
Prerequisite: Regents Chemistry and department recommendation
1 Credit
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a general chemistry course that would
be taken by a first-year college student. Structured around the “Six Big Ideas”
determined by the College Board, the course works to develop math skills and problem
solving through working with complex and difficult chemistry concepts. This course
also involves a laboratory component that helps to develop problem solving skills by
the inclusion of inquiry-based laboratory experiments where students must develop
and test their own procedure to solve a scientific problem. Students will have the
opportunity to take the Advanced Placement Chemistry exam in May. The cost of the
exam is approximately $90.
Prerequisite: Completed Chemistry Regents or Honors and Algebra IIA or Honors, at
least 85 on Regents Chemistry Exam, and/or Department Recommendation.
1 Credit
Grade 12
Advanced Placement Biology is a college-level course open to seniors who have
achieved above-average grades in science each previous year, over a three-year
period. Students who select this course should be college bound and possess
analytical skills. The Advanced Placement Biology Course is designed to be the
equivalent of a college introductory biology course with labs. The curriculum includes
these general topics: molecules and cells, genetics and evolution, organisms and
populations, anatomy, and physiology. A research project is required each semester.
Students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement Biology exam in
May. The cost of the exam is approximately $90.
Prerequisite: Based on department recommendation and/or approval.
1 Credit
As inhabitants of the earth, it is our responsibility to use earth’s resources responsibly
and to minimize the impact we have on the planet. In this course, students will examine
some of the issues surrounding humans’ impact on the environment, possible solutions
to reducing the impact, and the social, economic, and political ramifications of these
actions. Additionally, students will explore their personal environment and discover
some of the dangers that they face in their everyday life and ways to reduce the risk
from these hazards. This course is designed to be a senior elective for those students
interested in science beyond the required courses.
Prerequisite: Chemistry (Regents or General) and department recommendation
1 Credit
The study of physics is concerned with the relationship between matter and energy.
This course is both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Topics include mechanics,
energy, electricity and magnetism, wave phenomenon, and modern physics. The
laboratory portion of the course reinforces the relevancy of the various topics. The
Physics Regents Exam is not required.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra IIA or Honors, Chemistry Regents, or
Chemistry Regents Honors and department recommendation