SCIENCE COURSES

PHYSICAL SETTING EARTH SCIENCE - (Regents)
Earth Science explores the sciences of meteorology, astronomy, and geology. The course provides an overview of earth processes and introduces/develops problem solving and critical thinking skills. Students will be required to perform laboratory work to satisfy the New York State laboratory requirement. The New York State Regents exam will be the final exam for the course.

LIVING ENVIRONMENT (BIOLOGY) - (Regents)
This course in biology is designed to provide a broad general understanding of the fundamental principles of biology. It will include units of Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Metabolic Activities, Ecology, Classification and Diversity, Survey of the Kingdoms, Human Biology, Plants, Reproduction and Development, Genetics, and Evolution.
Students will be required to perform laboratory work to satisfy the state laboratory requirement and will take the state Regents exam at the end of the course.

CHEMISTRY - (Regents)
Chemistry is the science about substances – their composition, structure, and properties. The character and behavior of matter are understood by knowing these basic concepts and by studying the way substances interact, transform, and change.
Regents Chemistry has a mandated laboratory component that includes one long-term project. Students must complete a full complement of satisfactory lab reports in order to be eligible to sit for the final exam. The New York State Regents exam will be the final exam for the course.

PHYSICS - (Regents)
This is the New York State Regents Physics course that meets the needs of the college-bound student. 50% of the student's time is spent in the classroom, 30% in the lab, and 20% in writing reports and solving quantitative problems. Concepts are introduced in the classroom and are investigated in the lab both qualitatively and quantitatively. Through such activity the student is expected to develop a scientific approach in seeking knowledge and the habit of critical thinking.
The major topics studied are mechanics, waves (sound, light, electromagnetic), electricity, magnetism, and atomic-nuclear physics.
Students will be required to perform laboratory work to satisfy the New York State laboratory requirement. The New York State Regents exam will be the final exam for the course.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (Non-Regents)
This course takes an in-depth look at the human body. Designed like a college course, the first semester is spent over-viewing the body and the second semester deals with how the body functions. It is an excellent course for those students who are thinking of entering a health-related field and/or those who would like to learn more about the human body and how it works.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (Non-Regents)
Environmental Science is a blend of Biology and Earth Science that focuses on major environmental issues that are threatening our environment. The ultimate goal of environmental science is to teach about creating and maintaining a sustainable environment. Topics discussed include endangered/extinct species, water consumption and water pollution, air pollution, biological clocks, alternative energy, invasive species and local environmental issues concerning Lake Champlain, Lake George, and the Adirondack Park.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
The A. P. Biology course is an introductory college level laboratory science with primary emphasis on developing an understanding of concepts rather than on memorizing terms and technical details. Essential to this conceptual understanding are the following: A grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology; and application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.
Topics covered in the course include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, botany, the cell, developmental biology, ecology, genetics, molecular biology, origin of life, evolution, and population biology. There are a total of twelve required labs that reflect the curriculum.
All students enrolled in the course are expected to take the A. P. Biology exam administered in May.

Pre-Requisites: Regents Biology and Regents Chemistry.
Co-Requisite: Regents Physics