Science courses offered in
the Curriculum Guide
** Regents science courses
all have a laboratory requirement that must be satisfied in order to take
the regents exam.
Regents Earth Science (1
credit)
This course gives students
the information they will need to understand the planet they inhabit. Some
of the topics covered include astronomy, geology, meteorology and the
environment. Students will spend five periods per week on classroom work
and an additional period every other day in lab class. The Regents Exam
has two parts; Laboratory Performance Test and a written test. The
Laboratory Performance part will be completed in lab period by the end of
the semester. The written part is scheduled during Regents Week.
Regents Science Prep (1
credit)
This course is designed for
those students who have been identified by their middle school science
teachers as needing assistance in order to be successful in a Regents
science course. It is essentially a general science course in which
students will be expected to master required regents science lab skills,
including interpretation of data, graphing, construction of data tables,
hypothesizing, and reasoning. All major sciences (earth science, biology,
chemistry, and physics) will be investigated.
Living Environment (1
credit)
This course is a graduation
requirement for all students. Major areas of study include similarities of
living organisms, inheritance of genetic information, evolution,
reproduction and development, maintenance of dynamic equilibrium within
living things, ecology, and human impact on the physical and living
environments. Scientific inquiry and the development and testing of
hypotheses will also be stressed, particularly in laboratory sessions.
Class meets five days a
week with additional required lab sections on alternating days.
Regents Chemistry (1
credit)
This course presents a
modern view of Chemistry suitable for pupils with a wide range of skills
and abilities. The topics covered in this course develop and unify the
major underlying principles of Chemistry. These principles are basic to
the understanding of our environment. Included as part of the course are
an additional lab period every other day, which provide the student with a
variety of laboratory experiences in order to reinforce the chemical
principles studied.
Prerequisite: Successful
completion of Math A/B and successful completion of, or concurrent
enrollment in, Math III or Math B.
Applied Chemistry (1
credit)
This course explores the
fundamentals of chemistry and how these basic ideas apply to everyday
experiences and to modern technology.
Prerequisite: Successful
completion of Math A is highly recommended.
Regents Physics (1 credit)
Regents Physics is a modern
view of physics with major emphasis placed on fundamental concepts that
are the foundation of this basic science. Higher order problem-solving
skills are developed through major areas of study that include: Mechanics,
energy, electricity and magnetism, waves and modern physics. Class meets
five (5) periods per week with an additional period every other day for
lab work.
Prerequisite: Successful
completion of the Math B.
Principles of Technology I
(Applied Physics) (1 credit)
Principles of Technology
focuses on the important physical concepts of modern technology and the
basic ideas that control and shape technology. Topics covered in PT I
include: force, work, rate, resistance, power, and energy in the areas of
mechanical systems, electrical systems and thermal systems. Each unit
builds on earlier units, and together they are used to develop insights
into complex systems that form the basis for modern technology. It is a
hands-on laboratory based course in applied physics.
Prerequisite: Successful
completion of at least 1 Unit of math.
Principles of Technology II
(1 credit)
Principles of Technology II
continues the hands-on exploration of modern technical concepts begun in
PT I. Topics include: force transformation, momentum, waves and vibration,
energy conversion, light and optical systems, and time constants. It is a
hands-on laboratory based course in applied physics. At the completion of
both PT I and PT II, students will be prepared to take the Regents Physics
exam given in June.
Prerequisite: Successful
completion of Principles of Technology I and at least 2 Units of math (or
instructor's permission).
Math, Science, Technology 1 (1
credit) in one area (science or technology)
This math, science, and
technology course is designed to give students the opportunity to apply
concepts studied in traditional courses in physical science and math. The
philosophy for the course is hands-on and minds-on projects addressing
commencement level standards in all areas.
The course is set up with
hands-on activities that reflect the real world problem solving, teaming,
leadership roles, decision- making, and application of math and science
through engineering design. Students will make connections between
disciplines and see the relevance to their school studies and
relationships to the real world.
Students will use a digital
camera, scientific equipment, and computers that include programs like
Microsoft Office 2000 and Front Page 2000 to support the selected
activities. At the end of the course each student will receive a
multimedia electronic portfolio on a CD to take with them that will play
on a Macintosh or any PC of all work completed during the class.
Career standards will be
infused throughout this course. Every student will complete a full day job
shadow of a career they are interested in pursuing.
Prerequisite: Math: Math A/B
or Geometry and instructor permission
Science: 1 regents science
class
Math, Science, Technology 2
(MST 2) (1 credit)
This course offering is
primarily geared to those students interested in expanding their
backgrounds in biology beyond the Living Environment. Investigations in
areas such as biophysics, ecology, pollution, crime, health, bioethics,
and genetics will be explored and conducted, with an emphasis on the
technological advances involved.
Although primarily a
lab-based course, class discussions and assignments will focus on relating
an ever-expanding knowledge of biology and its effects on our modern
world.
Prerequisite: Math
A/B or Geometry and two years of
regents science (physical setting and living environment) or permission of
the instructor
Health ` (1/2 credit)
Health is a required
one-semester course for all Senior High students. Topics to be covered are
physical, mental, and environmental health, disease and disease control,
smoking, alcohol, drugs, family life and sexuality, nutrition, and first
aid. Presentation is done through discussion groups, films, guest speakers
and written reports.
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