Science

Non-Honors Science Courses

Biology: The Living Environment
Required for all Non-Honors Freshmen

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. Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science. 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 Non-Honors Sophomores

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, mole ratio, 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 State Regents Examination in Chemistry: The Physical Setting.

Environmental Science
Required for all Non-Honors Juniors

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. Students in the Environmental Science course will work with our Hydroponic Greenhouse using project based learning to experience hands-on the impact and importance of sustainable farming to our environment.

Honors Science Courses

Biology Honors: The Living Environment
Required for all Honors Freshmen

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.

Chemistry Honors (The Physical Setting)
Required for all Honors Sophomores

This course follows the New York State Syllabus for Chemistry: The Physical Setting to prepare students for the Regents Examination, which is taken at the end of the academic year. As an honors course, this class offers a select group of students to explore Chemistry at a deeper level and to understand nature and its marvels at a higher level. Topics covered will be the same as the Chemistry Regents course. All New York State Regents requirements for Laboratory courses will be covered.

Physics (The Physical Setting)
Required for all Honors Juniors

This is an introductory course in Algebra based high school Physics designed to provide students a basic understanding of Physics principles in the areas of mechanics, work and energy, electricity and magnetism, wave optics and modern Physics. This course follows the New York State syllabus for Physics: The Physical Setting to prepare students for the Regents examination in Physics, which is taken at the end of the academic year. The required practice component of this course includes all laboratory activities mandated by the New York State Department of Education and Regents.

Electives

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
Senior Elective; Departmental approval required

The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based investigations, as they explore content such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. Students should have successfully completed a general high school chemistry course and Algebra II. This course requires that 25 percent of instructional time engages students in lab investigations. This includes a minimum of 16 hands-on labs (at least six of which are inquiry-based). It is recommended that students keep a lab notebook throughout. All students must take the AP Exam in May. Students who receive a qualifying score on the AP Chemistry Exam may be able to take second-year chemistry coursework in their first year at their undergraduate institution. Or, their score may fulfill their institution's lab science requirements thereby freeing time for other courses.

Anatomy and Physiology
Senior Elective; Departmental approval required

Anatomy and physiology is a college level course. It is an in depth study of all the organ systems of the body. The biochemistry and anatomy of the cell starts the journey.

The Chemistry of Nutrition
Senior Elective; Departmental approval required

The Chemistry of Nutrition will be focused on the study of the basic concepts of chemistry applied to metabolism: carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids: enzymes and metabolic control; vitamins and cofactors. Emphasis is place on metabolic pathways, the interrelationships of major nutrients and the relation of metabolic processes to the overall nutritional health of an individual. Nutrition is the process of providing the body with the raw materials it needs to function and grow. There are three major macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) that function as the major building blocks and fuel for physiological processes.

Forensic Science
Senior Elective; Departmental approval required

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.

Hydroponics: Farming for the Future
Senior Elective; Departmental approval required

Using hydroponic techniques, students will grow plants in nutrient-rich water in our state of the art Greenhouse Classroom. They will learn the key components of hydroponics, including planting from seed, developing the perfect balance of nutrients and pH needed for each type of plant to grow successfully, and designing and building their own hydroponic system. Through ongoing, project-based learning, our students will build problem solving and critical thinking skills. Hydroponic gardening fosters innovation while increasing awareness of food and water issues, important skills needed for our planet’s future.

Issues In Science and Technology
Senior Elective; Departmental approval required

In this course, students will be given the opportunity to explore scientific issues that affect them not only as students of science but as citizens of planet Earth. Some topics covered include Scientific Literacy (including how to differentiate between “fake science” and real science), the Space Program and life on the International Space Station, Medical Ethics, Environmental Issues (such as fracking, the Gowanus Canal cleanup, and the water crisis in Flint, Michigan), as well as other important issues in science and technology.

The Development of Children (Syracuse University Project Advance Course)
Senior Elective; Departmental approval required

This course is an overview of the principles of development during infancy, childhood, and youth and the factors that contribute to children’s optimal development. The course provides students with an understanding of developmental theories, research methodology, developmental milestones, and the outcomes of developmental processes. In addition, students learn to apply the knowledge and skills they acquire in the classroom to applied settings in order to integrate these experiences. The course content covers theories and research on child development including biological development, physical development, language and cognitive development, social development, and personality development. In particular, the course examines societal, cultural, and other factors that influence children’s development. Upon completion of the course, students should have a greater understanding of children and their development that should be useful to parents and others who work with children and should be better prepared to pursue careers in childcare and educational settings. Students are able to receive 3 college credits from Syracuse University.

Science Research Program

St. Saviour High School’s Science Department is excited to offer select science students the opportunity to enter a three-course sequence research program. As a part of this program, students will develop scientific writing and presentation skills with an in-depth analysis of the scientific process. Students will be introduced to basic laboratory techniques with emphasis on the development of independent research. Students will develop independent research projects under teacher or research mentor supervision. Students will have the opportunity to enter research into local, state and national competitions, write a scientific research paper describing research results, and give a presentation of research results. Throughout the school year, students can attend field trips such as science presentations, research lectures and poster sessions.

The Science Research Program is in addition to the three science courses required for graduation at St. Saviour High School. Students involved in this program should be able to work well independently and have a proven ability to adhere to due dates. Students must abide to the Academic Honor Code Guidelines and must be in good academic standing while in the Science Research Program. The course meets once per six-day cycle. Students will submit the permission slip for the St. Saviour High School’s Science Research Program at the end of their freshman year to be considered for the program. Transfer students may also be considered. Admission to this program is based on departmental approval. For more information on the St. Saviour High School’s Science Research Program, please contact Ms. Ramkellowan at ramkellowan.r@stsaviour.org.