BIOLOGY - Regents

Who Should Take Biology Regents?

Any student who has successfully completed Physics 9 and Chemistry should enroll in Biology Regents. Students should have average or above average reading skills and should have a solid knowledge of chemistry. Vocabulary is an important part of the Biology curriculum.

What Will We Be Studying In Biology Regents?

Biology Regents follows a course of study that is built upon the NYS Living Environment curriculum. In addition to the syllabus of that course, the course involves biochemistry, molecular biology, and the anatomy and physiology of living organisms.

What Will Be Expected Of Me?

You will be expected to take notes regularly, to perform lab investigations, and to write lab reports. You may expect that to adequately complete homework and lab assignments you will need to spend a minimum of two hours per week on preparation outside the classroom.

How Is The Course Taught?

Lectures, group work, videos, and labs.

What Are The Completion Requirements?

Students will be required to take the NYS Living Environment Regents in June. Students must complete 1200 minutes of laboratory work, which must be submitted, graded, recorded, and stored at school in order to sit for the Regent examination.
1 unit of credit Prerequisite: Physics-9 and Regents Chemistry or Physics 9 and Living Chemistry.

BIOLOGY - Advanced Placement

Who Should Take A. P. Biology?

The Advanced Placement course in Biology is a challenging college level course designed for students who have a firm mastery of the factual information and the concepts of high school biology and chemistry and who have demonstrated ability in critical thinking and in mathematical and laboratory skills.Consider enrolling if you identify with all of the following predictors of success: grades of "A" in the Regents sciences, a "B” or better in other core academic studies, above grade level reading and writing skills, ease in working individually in laboratory investigations, and solid problem solving skills.

What Will We Be Studying In A. P. Biology?

The course is designed to be the equivalent of a full year of introductory college biology, usually taken during the first college year. Topics studied include biological chemistry, cells, energy transformations, molecular genetics, and ecology. Laboratory work is experimental and quantitative, rather than descriptive. Assigned reading includes a widely used college text, Biology by Campbell, as well as selected reprints from Scientific American and other journals and books. This is a vocabulary heavy course.

What Will Be Expected Of Me?

Major emphasis will be placed on understanding of biological concepts and the development of biological thought. You will be expected to demonstrate your understanding both orally and in expository essays. You must be prepared to spend a minimum of four-six hours per week on independent work outside of the classroom to adequately complete the reading and writing assignments (which include extensive written lab reports). In addition, you will be expected to complete after school any laboratory work which could not be completed during the allotted laboratory time. Grading is based upon mastery of the A.P. curriculum.

How Is The Course Taught?

Both lecture and laboratory formats will be used in this fast-paced class. Lecture will require aural concentration and attentiveness, note taking, and the ability to conceptualize and to formulate connections. Laboratories are an integral part of the course and will include experimental work which will sometimes extend beyond the double lab period. The weeks following the A. P. exam will be devoted to the completion of individual extended projects.

What Are The Completion Requirements?

Students will be required to prepare for and take the Advanced Placement examination in Biology in May and the Biology Regents in June if not previously completed. Students must complete 1200 minutes of laboratory work, which must be submitted, graded, recorded, and stored at school in order to sit for the Regents examination.
1 unit of credit Prerequisites: Physics 9, Chemistry Regents, and Department recommendation.
Those not receiving the department recommendation will be required to meet with counselor, department head, and parents to ensure full awareness of the high level of commitment and skill required to succeed in AP Biology.

Astronomy

Who Should Take Human Astronomy?

Any student who has completed Living Environment 10/Regents Biology can be recommended for this course.  

What Will We Be Studying In Astronomy?

This is a single period, elective course.  This course provides an introduction to the study of the physical principles involved in Astronomy.  The class includes investigation of the universe as a whole, our solar system, other galaxies and cosmology, and stars and stellar evolution.  

What Will Be Expected Of Me?

Students will be expected to engage in a variety of learning experiences.  Teacher directed instruction, creation and execution of laboratory activities, various levels of group work, projects and presentations, and discovery based learning are the norm.  The course is investigative in nature and students are often expected to work in groups.  Students will also be expected to take notes and participate in class discussions.  Students may be required to read and report on current events pertaining to class material.  Students are required to have a fully charged iPad and other required materials. Students should expect to prepare for class every day.

How Is The Course Taught?

A variety of methods will be employed, including direct instruction, the use of demonstrations, model making, videos, graphical analysis, investigations, and a great deal of hands-on laboratory and group work.  Students will also participate in flipped classroom activities which move the introduction of the content to structured videos, watched outside of class, leaving room for hands-on activities and modeling with the teacher in class.

What Are The Completion Requirements?

Students must successfully complete the required coursework for Astronomy.  

1 unit of credit: Prerequisite:  Living Environment10/Biology Regents and Department recommendation.

Human Impact and Environmental Relationships

Who Should Take Human Impact and Environmental Relationships?

Any student who has completed Living Environment 10/Regents Biology can be recommended for this course.  

What Will We Be Studying In Human Impact and Environmental Relationships?

This is a single period, elective course.  The curriculum is structured around learning relevant environmental studies as well as the effects of humans on changes in the environment.  Environmental justice, ecology, ecosystems, global climate and biomes, biodiversity, population dynamics, systems and resource use, consumption, pollution, climate change, and sustainability will all be covered.  

What Will Be Expected Of Me?

Students will be expected to engage in a variety of learning experiences.  Teacher directed instruction, creation and execution of laboratory activities, various levels of group work, projects and presentations, and discovery based learning are the norm.  The course is investigative in nature and students are often expected to work in groups.  Students will also be expected to take notes and participate in class discussions.  Students may be required to read and report on current events pertaining to class material.  Students are required to have a fully charged iPad and other required materials. Students should expect to prepare for class every day.

How Is The Course Taught?

A variety of methods will be employed, including direct instruction, the use of demonstrations, model making, videos, graphical analysis, investigations, and a great deal of hands-on laboratory and group work.  Students will also participate in flipped classroom activities which move the introduction of the content to structured videos, watched outside of class, leaving room for hands-on activities and modeling with the teacher in class.

What Are The Completion Requirements?

Students must successfully complete the required coursework for Human Impact and Environmental Relationships.  

1 unit of credit: Prerequisite:  Living Environment10/Biology Regents and Department recommendation.

Science in Our World

Who Should Take Science in Our World?

Any student who has completed Living Environment 10/Regents Biology can be recommended for this course.  

What Will We Be Studying In Science in Our World?

This is a non-laboratory elective course which deals with issues of current concern to society. Topics discussed in class are based on student interest as well as current issues.  While there are prepared topics to share with students, students are also encouraged to bring articles and other materials to support and guide the discussion. This course is an extension of current events and a good deal of the activities in this class will be based on current issues that are impacting our society.

What Will Be Expected Of Me?

Students will be expected to engage in a variety of learning experiences.  Teacher directed instruction, engineering challenges, creation and execution of laboratory activities, various levels of group work, and discovery based learning are the norm.  The course is investigative in nature and students are often expected to work in groups.  Students will also be expected to take notes and participate in class discussions.  Students will also be required to read and report on current events pertaining to class material.  Students are required to have a fully charged iPad and other required materials. Students should expect to prepare for class every day.

How Is The Course Taught?

A variety of methods will be employed, including direct instruction, the use of demonstrations, model making, videos, graphical analysis, investigations, and a great deal of hands-on laboratory and group work.  Students will also participate in flipped classroom activities which move the introduction of the content to structured videos, watched outside of class, leaving room for hands-on activities and modeling with the teacher in class.

What Are The Completion Requirements?

Students must successfully complete the required coursework for Science in Our World.  

1 unit of credit: Prerequisite:  Living Environment10/Biology Regents and Department recommendation.