Science

Environmental Science
Required for all Freshmen
This course will make connections between Science, Technology, Economics, Policy, People and the environment. It will build skills in problem solving and communication and improve students’ awareness of local environmental problems and their solutions as well as global issues. Upon successful completion of this course students receive New York State Regents’ credit.

Biology
Required for all Sophomores
This course follows the New York State Syllabus for the Living Environment to prepare students for the Regents’ Examination, which is taken upon completion of the course. It builds on the Environmental Science course to allow students to gain scientific insight into the world of living things. Topics covered include evolution, taxonomy, biochemistry, cellular structure, life functions, body systems, reproduction, genetics, and biotechnology. The required practical component of this course includes all laboratory activities mandated by the New York State Department of Education.

Chemistry (The Physical Setting)
Required for all Juniors
The Chemistry course is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of the nature of matter and its interactions which underlie all other scientific disciplines, preparing students to undertake more advanced study in these fields. Topics include matter and energy, atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, stoichiometry, solutions, kinetics and equilibrium, acids and bases, redox reactions and electrochemistry, organic chemistry and nuclear chemistry. The required practical component of this course includes all laboratory activities mandated by the New York State Department of Education. Upon completion of this course students take the New York States Regents Examination in Chemistry: The Physical Setting.

Advanced Biology
Senior Elective; Departmental approval required
Advanced Biology is a college level study of human anatomy and physiology. A general overview of the biochemistry and anatomy of the cell starts the journey through the human body.

Advanced Placement Chemistry
This course covers the same topics as college chemistry, levels 1 and 2. Topics essentially the same as the regular course, but with more rigor and in greater depth. All students must take the AP Exam in May.

Physics
Senior Elective; Departmental approval required
A study of the fundamental laws and principles of mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism. The objective is to illustrate the universality of these laws and to provide perspective on physicists’ search for universal laws. This course is designed for students who wish to gain a better understanding of the concepts upon which physics is based. Laboratory exercises accompany topics.

Forensic Science
Senior Elective; Year Course
As part of this course, the student will learn about the role of science in the criminal justice system and gain insight into the techniques and procedures used by forensic scientists to detect, collect, and analyze evidence. The course includes laboratory experience in analyzing fingerprints, hair analysis, shoeprint casting, chromatography, analysis of documents, and other techniques used in solving crimes.

Biology Honors
This course follows the New York State Syllabus for the Living Environment to prepare students for the Regents’ Examination, which is taken upon completion of the course. As an honors course, this class offers a select group of students to delve into the topic of Biology at a slightly deeper level, allowing a greater understanding of our living world. We will cover the same topics as the Biology Regents course, including all state mandated laboratory activities.