Science Courses

Science 9 - Jr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
Skills ideas, concepts and fact: are emphasized through laboratory experiences, classroom discussions, media demonstrations, mathematical analyses, notebook work and textbook assignments. As knowledge of basic principles in earth and physical sciences is attained, it is applied to the understanding of astronomical, geological, meteorological and oceanographic phenomena and technology. Information about science oriented jobs and professions is presented in this course. Five periods per week. School examination. Regents Competency Test.

General Biology - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
This non-Regents course follows the New York State General Biology course of study and is intended for students of average ability who do not need or desire a Regents credit in biology. Six periods per week. School examination.
Recommended: Not less than a final average of 70% in previous science course.

Biology R - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
This Regents course incorporates the investigative laboratory approach in the study of most topics. The curriculum emphasizes the basic unit of life, physiology, classification, ecology, genetics, biochemistry, and evolution. Seven periods per week. Regents examination.
Required: Must have passed Science 9 or Earth Science R.
Recommended: Endorsement of Science 9 teacher or not less than final grade of 75% in Earth Science R.

Biology H (Honors) - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
An enriched Regents course which follows the State curriculum in biology, but in which students are expected to handle more sophisticated concepts and probe more deeply into recent research findings than in Biology R. Seven periods per week. Regents examination.
Open to selected students based on departmental recommendation.

Earth Science R - Jr. & Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
This is a laboratory oriented Regents science course which emphasizes the development of skills, ideas, principles and concepts important to the understanding of the basic earth sciences. Astronomy, meteorology, oceanography and geology are studied. Seven periods per week. Regents examination.
Required: Jr. High students should take Math I concurrently.  Senior high students: Math I and Math II or IIB.

Earth Science H (Honors) - Jr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
Honors Regents Earth Science is open to those nominated by their 8th grade science instructors and approved by the Science chairperson. Topics studied are the same as those in the Earth Science R course, but with enrichment. Students will do independent research study and project work. Seven periods per week. Regents examination.

General Chemistry - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
A laboratory course intended for students of average ability who do not need or desire a Regents credit in chemistry. The curriculum includes basic principles of chemistry and emphasizes the application of this knowledge to science-related problems in society. Student activities stress individual involvement in decision making and problem solving. Six periods per week. School examination.

Chemistry R - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
A Regents course emphasizing interactions between matter and energy at the atomic and molecular levels. Atomic structure, the Periodic Table, bonding, chemical kinetics, and equilibrium are among the topics included in the curriculum. The course is a theoretical, quantitative course. Seven periods per week. Regents examination.
Required: Math I and II or IIIB or IIIT (Math II, IIIB or IIIT may be taken concurrently)
Recommended: Not less than a final grade of 75% in previous science and math courses.

Principles of Physics - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
A course intended to provide a conceptual understanding of the basic idea of physics. Emphasis will be placed on the meaning and implications of physical principles rather than on their mathematical treatment. Recommended for students who do not expect to major in physics or engineering, but who do desire to study physics at a level less intensive than that of Physics R.

Physics R - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
A basic Regents course in physics that emphasizes the following areas: mechanics, energy, electricity, magnetism, wave phenomena and nuclear physics. This course emphasizes physical principles and their application to a variety of situations. Mathematics is used extensively. Recommended for seniors who are planning to attend college or technical schools, AND for juniors who are

RCT (Remediation) - Sr. High, No Credit
This program is designed to provide instruction to students to prepare them to retake the Regents Competency Test (RCT) in Science. This remediation program is required for and available only to those students who have failed the RCT. There is no credit offered for participation in this program.

College Biology (SUPA) Project Advance (Bio 121) Honors - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
A college course which is identical to the course in freshman biology taught at Syracuse University. Under a Project Advance agreement with the University, a special tuition and materials fee is charged for eight hours credit. Topics covered include: the diversity of life and adaptations, cell physiology, biochemistry, plant and animal functions, reproduction, genetics and ecology. Much lecture material is contained in audio tapes, slides and other visual aids. Emphasis is placed upon individual leaming. Enrollment is limited. Seven periods per week, Students may elect to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Biology.
Required: Regents Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (one of the latter two may be taken concurrently) and departmental recommendation.

Chemistry AP Honors - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
This course is intended for students who desire to study in depth the facts, concepts, and principles of Regents chemistry. In addition to topics included in the Regents chemistry syllabus, this course includes the following topics: structure and states of matter, reaction types, stoichiometry, equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Seven periods per week. Regents examination and Advanced Placement Examination.
Required: Departmental recommendation, Math I, II, III (Math III may be taken concurrently).
Recommended: Not less than a final grade of 90% in previous math and science courses.   The AP Examination must be taken in order for transcripts to reflect this distinction. (See Q&A question 13)

Physics AP-B Honors - Sr. High, 1 year, 1 unit
This course is for students who intend to major in science or engineering at highly competitive colleges and universities. In addition to topics included in the Regents physics syllabus, this course includes the following topics: angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration coefficient of friction, thermodynamics, torques, special relativity, rotational kinetic energy, simple harmonic motion, capacitance in series and parallel circuits, and internal resistance. Seven periods per week. Regents examination and Advanced Placement Examination.
Required: Departmental recommendation and completion of, or enrollment in Pre Calculus.
Recommended: Not less than final grade of 90% in previous science course. The AP Examination must be taken in order for transcripts to reflect this distinction. (See Q&A question 13)

Independent Study Science Research Course (Pending approval by Board of Education) - Sr. High, 3 years, 3 units
This program affords students the opportunity to participate in scientific research and scholarship. Students choose a research topic, read scientific literature, recruit mentors and carry out scientific investigations. Students make presentations to their class and the school community. Students write a research paper for submission to the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. They also enter the junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Students may elect to gain university credit for work during the sophomore/junior summers and the junior/ senior years. Class meets formally a minimum of five times every two weeks; other meetings are individually scheduled with the teacher.
Required: Must possess basic computer skills, be well organized and able to work independently. Retrieval and completion of form from Guidance Counselor stating intent and rationale for taking the course. This form must be submitted to the Counseling Office no later than the second day in March. Student rationale for taking the course will serve as apart of the selection criteria for use by the instructor during an interview to determine enrollment. Must be recommended by ninth grade science teacher.

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