Science Department Course Descriptions

Course Number: 520
Microbiology (advanced biology course)

Full year
Credit: 1 high school credit and an optional 4 undergrad college credits through Clinton Community College CAP program
Target audience: seniors and advanced juniors
Prerequisites: living environment and either chemistry or physics
This course  meets every day with an extra period every other day for lab activities.  Some of the major areas of study include: (1)prokaryotic and eucaryotic cell structure and function; (2)microbial growth and metabolism; (3)viruses; (4)bioinformatics(use of computers to assemble DNA sequences and locate genes); (5)biotechnology; (6)microscopy and specimen preparationg. Students who want college credit must pay tuition to Clinton Community College.
Assessment: includes grades based upon quizzes, tests, labs and homework.
Culminating Activity: Final Exam

Course No. 502
Regents Chemistry

Full year, with double periods on alternate days
Credit: 1 science credit
Target Audience: students who have previously completed Earth Science and Biology
Prerequisites-it is recommended that students have successfully completed two years of science and math course 1 and 2
The core curriculum for regents chemistry is designed as an introduction to chemistry for all students.  Topics include but are not limited to; organic chemistry, atomic structure, states of matter and laboratory activities.  New York State requires 1200 minutes of laboratory work.
Culminating Activity: The regents examination is the final examination for the course.  Assessment during the school year is based on homework, laboratory activities and unit examinations.  Students who have not completed the required laboratory work are not allowed admittance to the regents examination.

Course No. 501
Advanced Placement Chemistry

Full year, with double periods on alternate days
Credit: 1 science credit
Target Audience: Students who are academically self motivated and math/science oriented.
Prerequisites: it is recommended that students have successfully completed course in regents earth science, biology, chemistry, math course 1 and 2, and be concurrently enrolled in math course 3 or higher.
The course is equivalent to a first year college chemistry course.  Specific areas covered are more diverse and covered in much greater depth than those in regents chemistry.
Culminating Activity: A College Board AP Examination is administered in May of each year.  Students electing to take this exam may be eligible for college chemistry credit if they score 3 or higher on the exam.  Assessment during the school year is based on homework, laboratory activities and unit examinations.

Course No. 503
Environmental Chemistry

Full year, with double periods on alternate days
Credit: 1 science credit
Target Audience: Students who wish to take a third year of science but do not want to challenge the regents examination at the end of the course.
Prerequisites-none
Environmental chemistry relates concepts in chemistry to concerns in the community using a wide variety of topics.
Culminating Activity: The course may be assessed by either a teacher generated examination or a final project.  Assessment during the school year is based on homework, laboratory activities and unit examinations.

Course No. 500
Physics R

Full Year
Credit: 1 unit
Target Audience: Typically students 9-12 to satisfy the Physical Setting science requirement.
Prerequisites: Course 1 Math or Course Math A
Physics is the branch of science that studies the physical world, matter and energy and their relationships.  Major areas of study include: motion, electricity, optics, and modern physics. Classes meet each day in a six-day cycle with an extra period every other day for lab activities.  New York State requires 1200 minutes of laboratory work to complete the course and be admitted to the regents examination.
Assessment: Assessment includes class grades based on; tests, quizzes, labs, and homework.  Final assessment is the regents exam in June.

Course No. 550
AP Physics B

Full Year
Credit: 1 unit
Target Audience: Typically students 11-12 to satisfy the Physical Setting science requirement.
Prerequisites: Course 3 Math: should be concurrently enrolled in math 12 or calculus.
AP Physics B is a one-year, non-calculus, survey course in physics.  Major areas of study include: motion, internal energy, sound, electricity, electromagnetic applications, optics, nuclear energy and modern physics.  The course is at a higher mathematical level than the regents physics course Classes meet each day in a six-day cycle with an extra period every other day for lab activities.  New York State requires 1200 minutes of laboratory work to complete the course and be admitted to the regents examination.
Assessment: Assessment includes class grades based on; tests, quizzes, labs, and homework. 
Final assessment is one or both of the following: -AP Physics B exam in May -The regents exam in June.

Course No. 505
Living Environment

Full Year
Credit: 1 unit
Target Audience: Tenth Grade
Course Prerequisites: None
The Living Environment is the study of living things and life processes, including growth, structure, reproduction, genetics, ecology and evolution.  This course is designed to provide students with a background in life sciences with which they will be able to: 1. Interpret more effectively the increasing amount of scientific information being disseminated by the mass media.  2. Develop an increased awareness of the consequences that can result from the ways we interact with our environment.  3. Consider career opportunities that are evolving as a result of accelerating technological advances.
Classes meet five days per week with an extra period every other day for lab activities.  New York State requires 1200 minutes of laboratory work to complete the course and to be admitted to the regents examination.
Assessment: Based upon quizzes, chapter exams, lab write-ups and final exam, which is the Regents Exam in June.

Course Number: 515
Living Environment/CTM-regents

Full year
Credit: 1 unit (regents)
Target audience: 10th graders-teacher and guidance placement.
Resource personnel recommendation also required.
This course follows the same general guidelines as living environment course #505.
Culminating Activity: Regents final exam

Course No. 506
Environmental Science

Full Year
Credit: 1 unit
Target Audience: This Is An Elective For Students Who Have Met Their Regents Requirements For Graduation
Prerequisites: Regents-Level Science Requirements- For Graduation Should Be Met (This Is Not A Regents Course)
Environmental Science engages the students in learning about their ecological surroundings by exploring the real world through readings and outdoor activities.  Students will develop insights into various environmental issues that stem from human activities and develop an increased level of appreciation for the environment.
Assessment:  Final Exam and a final project

Course No. 509
Physical Setting/ Earth Science

Full Year
1 unit
Target Audience:  9th grade
No prerequisites
The overall objective of this course is to develop an understanding in the four major areas of specialization in earth science.  These are the following:  1) Astronomy: the study of cosmic objects or objects in the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere. 2) Meteorology: the study of weather and the forces and processes that cause it.   3) Geology: The study of Earth, its materials, and the processes that form and change it.  4) Oceanography: The study of Earth’s oceans.
Classes meet every day of the week with an extra period every other day.  Students must have successfully completed 30 laboratory activities to be able to be admitted to the regents examination, which is the final examination for the course.

Course No. 507
Physical Setting/Earth Science (CMT) -Regents

Full Year
Credit: 1 unit (Regents)
Target Audience:  9th Graders-Teacher Placement Only.  Recommendation Of Middle School Teacher And High School Resource Personnel Is Required
This course follows the same general guidelines as Physical Setting/Earth Science # 509
Assessed: Regents

Course No. 575
I-Team - Industrial Technology, Engineering And Management Class (I-Team)-Non Regents

Full Year
Credit: 3 units (1 Science; 1 English; 1 Technology)
Target Audience: 11th or 12th Graders
Prerequisites: None
This course is both an interdisciplinary course and an innovative business-educational partnership.  It enhances learning by providing a pre-engineering curriculum approved through Clinton Community College for college credit and by using technology, teamwork and creativity to solve real-world business problems (case studies).  These case studies are provided by local business or government agencies and resolved with the cooperation and participation of a team of Clarkson University graduate students through Clarkson University’s Business-Educational Partnership Program.  This class meets for a double period daily and students can receive college credit in addition to three high school credits in the areas of science, English and business/technology.