Science

This course is designed to encourage students to investigate the scientific world through hands-on and problem-solving techniques. Topics covered include geology, mineralogy, petrology, topography and meteorology. Laboratory work is an important part of this course. A lab period is required.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Regents exam

Living Environment I: Biology

This is the first year of a two-year course that counts towards the Living Environment Commencement level requirements and meets New York State science standards toward earning a Regents diploma. This course is aligned to the Living Environment Core Curriculum  units based on the New York State Learning Standards. It emphasizes interaction and interdependence, ecology and human influence on the physical and living environment. Students also learn about methods used to conduct scientific research and measure. The course focuses on using a variety of activities to develop the reading, writing and math skills necessary to understand the content. Students demonstrate proficiency through multiple activities, tests, quizzes, and projects. 
Grade 9
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
School exam

Living Environment II: Biology Regents

This course is designed for the Living Environment Core Curriculum based on the New York State Learning Standards at the commencement level. It emphasizes the seven ideas of Standard Four which includes: interaction and interdependence, genetics, evolution, reproduction and development, homeostasis, ecology and human influence on the physical and living environment. Students also learn about methods used to conduct scientific research to fulfill Standard One and Two requirements. Students demonstrate their proficiency through essays, positions, statements, lab reports and projects. A lab period is required.
Grade 10
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Regents exam
Prerequisite: Living Environment I

Biology Regents

Regents Biology (NYS High School Life Science) is based on the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards.  These standards are based on the Framework for K–12 Science Education developed by the National Research Council and the Next Generation Science Standards. The framework outlines three dimensions that are needed to provide students with a high-quality science education. Dimension 1 is Science and Engineering Practices, Dimension 2 is Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Dimension 3 is Crosscutting Concepts.  The integration of these three dimensions provides students with a context for the content of biology, how biology knowledge is acquired and understood, and how the sciences are connected through concepts that have universal meaning across the disciplines.  Students demonstrate their proficiency through multiple activities, lab reports, tests, quizzes and projects. A lab period is required.

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Regents exam

Advanced Placement
Biology

This college level course examines the following units: Chemistry of Life, Cell Structure and Function, Cellular Energetics, Cell Communication and the Cell Cycle, Heredity, Gene Expression and Regulation, Natural Selection & Ecology. A strong background in biology and chemistry is recommended. Students read, take notes, write essays, work collaboratively, do research, ask questions, experiment, analyze data, create graphs, write lab reports, and make presentations. A lab period is required. All students are required to sit for the exam in May. Students must pay the exam fee by the November due date. Waivers can be arranged for students enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program.

Grades 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
A.P. exam ($99.00)
Prerequisite: Biology R and Chemistry R

Chemistry

This course is designed to enable students to make informed judgments on crucial issues that are of current concern worldwide while providing a basic understanding of chemical principles and practices. The aim is to guide students to the knowledge that humans live in a chemical environment and that chemistry effects every aspect of our lives. Students begin to see that without some understanding of chemistry, it is impossible to fully understand environmental issues such as ozone depletion, global warming, air and water pollution, and the hazards of radioactivity.
Grades 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
School exam

Chemistry Regents

This course focuses on the study of basic chemical principles with special emphasis on the topics required by the NYS Physical Setting/Chemistry core curriculum. Topics of study include the composition of matter, atomic structure, periodic table, the mole concept, acids and bases, chemical kinetics and equilibrium, redox, nuclear and organic chemistry. Mathematical computation and analysis is an integral part of this course. Students planning to take this course should have a strong background in mathematics. A lab period is required.
Grades 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Regents exam

 Advanced Placement Chemistry

This rigorous college level course allows students an in-depth look at the topics covered in their previous Regents chemistry course. Emphasis on chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of principles requires a strong mathematics and science background. Students cover topics in atomic structure, bonding, reaction kinetics and equilibrium, gas laws, thermochemistry, stoichiometry and electrochemistry. A lab period is required. All students are required to sit for the exam in May. Students must pay the exam fee by the November due date. Waivers can be arranged for students enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program.
Grades 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
A.P. exam ($99.00)
Prerequisite: Chemistry R

Physical Science

Physical Science is the study of the physical world around you. This course is an introduction and an investigation into Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science concepts. Students learn the basic laws required for scientific reasoning and thinking. Emphasis is placed on inquiry-based learning through the process of observation, data collection and analysis. Students will be required to research, write, and present a final project that demonstrates an understanding of subject under investigation.
Grade 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Final exam and/or project with presentation

Physics

This course offers a working background in mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity, and modern physics for students interested in technical studies. Emphasis is given to practical applications. Laboratory experiences relate class activities to investigations and procedures in the use of scientific apparatus.
Grades 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
School exam

Physics Regents

Physics is fundamental to an understanding of the Natural World. This course includes such topics as mechanics, wave phenomena, electricity and modern physics. Laboratory work taken from these topics provides practical experiences to reinforce classroom concepts. Class demonstrations serve to compliment class discussions. Attention is given to a thorough application of skills. Valuable insights into basic physical principles will find application within the advanced courses. A lab period is required.
Grades 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Regents exam
Prerequisite: Geometry R

Advanced Placement
Physics 1: Algebra Based

This course will combine the ability to earn credit in an Advanced Placement course with the basic level of a Regents physics course. It is the equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics spread out over a much longer period of time to limit the difficulty of the course compared to other AP Physics courses. It will provide a systematic introduction to the main principles of physics and emphasis the development of problem solving ability and in-depth understanding of topics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; and mechanical waves and sound at a AP level. It will also introduce electric circuits at an AP level. Static electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves, and modern physics will be covered at a Regents Physics level. A lab period is required. All students are required to sit for the exam in May. Students must pay the exam fee by the November due date. Waivers can be arranged for students enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program.
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
A.P. and Regents exam ($99.00) and individual project
Prerequisite: Algebra 2/Trig R

Advanced Placement
Physics C

The AP C level physics course is a calculus-based course. It includes a mechanics portion and an electricity and magnetism portion of an introductory college course. As the course progresses, the amount of calculus involved increases. Students must have successfully completed a previous year of physics. This course is comparable to a first-year class for a science and/or engineering major. Two separate advanced placement exams are given consecutively. All students are required to sit for the exam in May. Students must pay the exam fee by the November due date. Waivers can be arranged for students enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program.
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
A.P. exams: Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism ($99.00)
Prerequisite: A.P. Physics 1

Human Anatomy And Physiology

This course is designed to be similar to a college-level lecture course for students interested in studying the structures and functions of the human body in scientific detail. Students may participate in a dissection. Video of actual surgeries will be shown.  Current issues are discussed for each system. A research paper will be assigned.  There is a great deal of required independent college level reading and note-taking.
Grades 11,12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Prerequisite: Regents Chemistry

Astronomy

This course is designed to help answer some of the intriguing and fascinating topics that have mystified astronomers for millennia. Students will explore our nearest neighbor, the Moon, and take a journey that will explore all of the other members of the solar system. The outer reaches of the cosmos and some of the current advancements in astronomy will be probed. Students will be given the opportunity to explore, first hand, topics of study during mandatory observation sessions.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1 semester subject
½ unit of credit
School exam

Environmental Science

In this class, students will develop a greater understanding and appreciation for ecology and the environment. Topics include biomes of the world, ecosystems and biodiversity, the dynamics of population growth, energy from fossil fuels, nuclear power and renewable resources. Students will apply knowledge gained in other science classes in the analysis of environmental issues such a pollution, atmospheric changes and the depletion of natural resources. 
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
1 semester subject
½ unit of credit
Final project/presentation

Forensic Science
Syracuse Univ. - CHE 113

This elective course, offered through Syracuse University’s Project Advance, is an introduction to forensic science. This course is focused on the application of scientific methods and techniques to crime and law and is intended to be an introduction to understanding the science behind crime detection. Emphasis is placed on the techniques used in evaluating physical evidence. Topics included are blood analysis, organic and inorganic evidence analysis, microscopic investigations, hair analysis, DNA, drug chemistry and toxicology, fiber comparisons, paints, glass compositions and fragmentation, fingerprints, soil comparisons and arson investigation, among others. Grades are based on hourly exams, comprehensive final examination, and the laboratory. Students are required to register for the course through Syracuse University (SUPA).  Teachers will assist in the registration process at the beginning of the year. Information on financial assistance can be found here.
Grade 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Prerequisite: Chemistry R
$466.00 Syracuse University tuition. Upon successful completion of the course, students will earn four Syracuse University credits