AP Biology – Full year

Requirements: Junior or Senior standing.

Prerequisite: Biology Honors

This course is open to Juniors or Seniors that have an exceptional work ethic, have performed well in Honors Biology, and who may have an interest in pursuing a possible biology-related field in college. Overall, the course curriculum will parallel an introductory college level biology course. Topics will include molecules and cells, genetics and evolution, and organisms and populations. This accelerated survey of biology will cover all of the topics required by the College Board in order to prepare students for the AP Exam. In addition, students will also complete the recommended AP Biology laboratory experiments. After the AP Exam, students will spend the remainder of the year working on special projects.

Two class blocks per four-day cycle will be scheduled for these students.

AP Chemistry – Full year

Requirement: Senior standing

Prerequisite: Chemistry Honors

This course is open to Seniors that have done well in science and math and are willing to put forth extra time and effort and are planning to pursue a science-related field in college. The course curriculum will include the following topics taught at the pace of a first year college-level chemistry course: stoichiometry, periodicity, chemical bonding, thermochemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, acid and bases, redox and organic chemistry. The course will include laboratories that are recommended by the College Board to prepare students for the AP exam. After the AP exam, students will spend the remainder of the year working on special projects.

Two class blocks per four-day cycle will be scheduled for these students.

Introduction to Environmental Science – Half year 

Prequisite: Successful completion of Biology course.

This course is a hands-on introduction to the study of the environment, how humanity has impacted it, and what we can do to repair and protect it. Students need to have successfully passed the Regents Biology exam to be eligible for this course.

Advanced Environmental Science: SUNY ESF – Full year

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Regents Chemistry Exam

This course starts with an in-depth examination of various types of renewable sources of energy. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing connections among different energy sources, challenges, and benefits among them. The course continues with a survey of aspects including population and demographics; agriculture and toxic substances; water resources and pollution; and climate change. Independent research projects on environmental science topic is required.

Anatomy and Physiology I – Half year

Prequisite: Completed or concurrent with Regents Biology

This course is not a prerequisite for the Anatomy & Physiology II course. This course is for students that want to broaden their knowledge of the human body with a specific emphasis on the skeletal, muscular, nervous and endocrine systems. It is extremely beneficial to those students who may be interested in planning a career in the health sciences. Among other laboratory activities, students can expect to carry out at least one animal dissection in the class. Most work is self-directed, so students taking this course need to be motivated and responsible in order to be successful.

Anatomy and Physiology II – Half year

Prerequisite: Completed or concurrent with Regents Biology

Students do not need to have taken the Anatomy & Physiology I course in order to take this class. This course is for students that want to broaden their knowledge of the human body with a specific emphasis on the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and excretory systems. It is extremely beneficial to those students who may be interested in a career in the health sciences. Among other laboratory activities, students can expect to carry out at least one animal dissection in the class. Most of the work is self-directed so students taking this course need to be motivated and responsible in order to be successful.

Forensic Science – Half year

Prerequisite: Completed or concurrent with Chemistry (Any level)

Forensic science is focused on the application of scientific methods and techniques to crimes and law. Recent advances in scientific methods have had an enormous impact upon law enforcement and the entire criminal justice system. In this elective, scientific methods specifically relevant to crime detection and analysis will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the science behind the techniques used in evaluating physical evidence. Several laboratory exercises will be included to demonstrate techniques commonly employed in forensic investigations.

Forensic topics will include:
● DNA analysis    ● Physical properties    ● Tool marks and impressions    ● Arson and explosives    ● Hair and fiber analysis    ● Firearms    ● Fingerprints    ● Chromatography    ● Pathology    ● Toxicology

SUPA Forensics – Full year

Requirements: Junior or Senior standing

Prerequisite: Completed or concurrent with Regents Chemistry

This course is focused upon the application of scientific methods and techniques to crime and law. Scientific methods specifically relevant to crime detection and analysis will be presented with emphasis placed upon the techniques used in evaluating physical evidence. Topics include 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 investigations. Laboratory exercises will include techniques commonly employed in forensic investigations.

Two class blocks per four-day cycle will be scheduled for these students.

Astronomy – Half year

This course is intended for students who have taken Earth Science. Students in this class will investigate the motion of the objects in our solar system more thoroughly. They will receive an introduction to Electromagnetic Radiation and the ways that light can be collected and interpreted to help us better understand the universe. Students will get an introduction to physics as they learn about the formation of stars, galaxies, and black holes.