AP Biology

AP Biology is intended to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology, to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process and to work to prepare those students for the rigors of college courses.  The primary emphasis is on developing an understanding of concepts rather than on memorizing terms and technical details.  Therefore, a grasp of science as a process; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology; application of biological knowledge, analytical skills, and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns will be stressed.  Laboratory experience will be the equivalent of those done by college students. Students MUST sit for the AP Exam in order to be eligible for a passing grade.  The AP Examination usually takes place in mid-May.

• Grade: 11 and 12
• Prerequisites: Living Environment, Earth Science, and Chemistry.
• * Students are strongly encouraged to take Physics whenever possible.  This can be before AP Biology, or can be taken concurrently with AP Biology, with the permission of the Science Facilitator.
• Length: 40 weeks
• Final Evaluation: AP exam and local final
• Credit: 1

Chemistry | Regents

This course meets five days per week for one period with a lab period every other day.  Chemistry is the study of matter, the changes in matter, and the mechanics of chemical change.  Topics include, but are not limited to, atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, radiochemistry, organic chemistry, oxidation-reduction, and kinetics.  Chemistry includes a laboratory requirement and submission of lab reports to qualify for the final examination.  We strongly recommend this course for college bound students.

• Grade:  10/11
• Prerequisites: successful completion of Regents’ Living Environment and Earth Science
• Length: 40 weeks
• Final Evaluation: Chemistry Regents Exam
• Credit: 1

Earth Science | Regents

Classes of high school Earth Science meet every day for one period and every other day there is one period of lab.  Specific course content covers the four major branches of Earth Science: astronomy, geology, oceanography and meteorology.  Within these major branches, some sub-topics covered include earth’s motions, energy and its exchange in the atmosphere, rock formation, geologic history, water and climate, landscape development, and environmental change.

• Grade: 10
• Prerequisites:  successful completion of Living Environment
• Length: 40 weeks
• Final Evaluation: Regents
• Credits: 1

Living Environment – Biology | Regents

Classes of high school Living Environment meet everyday for one period and every other day there is one period of lab.  Laboratory work must be successfully completed with evidence in the form of 30 passing lab grades in order to qualify for the Regents examination.  Specific course content covers:  Evolution; Energy, Matter and Organization; Maintaining a Dynamic Equilibrium; Reproduction, Growth, and Development; Interaction and interdependence.

• Grade: 9
• Prerequisites: completion of 8th grade science; Accelerated students take Living Environment in 8th grade based on teacher recommendations; must have a MINIMUM of a 90% average in Science in 7th grade and must be enrolled in Accelerated Math
• Length: 40 weeks
• Final Evaluation: Regents
• Credits: 1

Environmental Science

Environmental Science is the branch of science concerned with the relations between organisms and their environment. Major topics that are included in the course are, studying Earth, weather, as well as the forces that affect it. Biomes, ecological interactions, Evolution, Zoology, Botany/ Dendrology, Forestry, classification and identification, Taxonomy, Aquatic Resources and studies, environmental careers, human impact-as well as resource management.

The class is designed to expose the student to various environmental science fields, through hands-on experimentation, research, writing, reading, and use of the Internet. The course allows students to develop skills of observation and helps to hone abilities of data interpretation and judgment of information sources. The course allows for the opportunity to meet with professionals in various environmental fields, and allows the students to design and conduct independent research.

• Grade: 11 and 12
• Prerequisites:  successful completion of Living Environment and Earth Science
• Length: 40 weeks
• Final Evaluation: Local Final
• Credits:  1

Physics | Regents

This course includes the study of the broad concepts involved in the fields of Mechanics, Waves, Electricity and Atomic Theory with special emphasis on the energy exchanges that occur in each area.  There is a mandatory laboratory requirement of at least two periods per week spent doing experiments and the submission of a formal report for each experiment.  Labs must be successfully completed in order to take the Regents examination.  This course is strongly recommended for college-bound students.

• Grade:  11 and 12
• Length: 40 weeks
• Prerequisites: successful completion Regents level Chemistry
• Final Evaluation: Regents
• Credits: 1

Physics of Toys

Students of science should do more than memorize definitions and formulas.  To make sense of science, students must be given opportunities to make connections between scientific phenomena and their own world.  This class delves into the mysteries of such toys as the Push-n-Go, bottle rockets, paper airplanes, ‘Operation,’ and Mousetrap.  The students will experience the minds-on, hands-on learning that will improve their problem-solving skills while also improving their science content knowledge.

• Grade: 11 and 12
• Length: 20 weeks
• Prerequisites: Successful completion of at least one science credit
• Final Evaluation: Cumulative Test/Project
• Credits: ½

Forensics

Forensic science is a multidisciplinary science, which includes concepts in many areas including biology, chemistry, zoology, anatomy, genetics, physics, math and statistics, earth science, sociology, psychology, and communications. Topics for this half-year course may include: types of evidence, evidence collection, fingerprints, and impressions, DNA evidence, blood and blood spatter, drug testing, handwriting analysis, muscle and bone analysis, and time of death. Students may not enroll in Forensics if they enroll in the Public Safety program at SC BOCES due to an overlap in curriculum.

Class requirements:

1. Students must maintain a notebook, which will include all tests, quizzes, labs, complete notes, homework and any additional information, in chronological order.
2. Each student must present to the class two major projects. Most work will be done independently. Computer access is necessary.
3. Students must have the ability to work independently as well as within groups.

• Grades: 11 – 12
• Prerequisites: Successful completion of at least one science credit
• Length: 20 weeks
• Final Evaluation: Cumulative Test/Project
• Credits: ½