• SCIENCE

    Below are the typical Science course selections at each grade level. Check course descriptions for course details and prerequisites. Please contact the department chairperson if you have any questions.

    Chairperson: Tony Thompson
     
     
    Grade 8Grade 9Grade 10Grade 11Grade 12
    Phy. Set. Earth Science R
    Phy. Set. Earth Science R
     
    Living Environment R
    Living Environment R
     
    Phy. Set. Chem R
    Phy. Set. Chem R
     
    Phy. Set. Physics R
    Phy. Set. Physics R
     
    Biology AP
    Electives  Forensic Science
    Anatomy & Physiology    		Forensic Science
    Anatomy & Physiology
     
     
    PHYSICAL SETTING/EARTH SCIENCE R - 1 year, 1 credit
    This course provides an inquiry-oriented approach to the study of Earth Science. Investigations are made in the following areas: minerals and their uses, rocks and their changes, erosion and its effects, the nature of soils, life in the past, the record of rocks, topographic maps, the atmosphere, weather and its causes, climates and microclimates, astronomy, and the oceans. Satisfaction of the New York State Science lab requirement is necessary in order to take the Regents Examination.

    LIVING ENVIRONMENT R - 1 year, 1 credit
    Prerequisite: Earth Science
    This course is designed to give the student an understanding of life in all its aspects: its similarities and its differences, its stability and its change, its individuality and relationship to the living and non-living environment. Laboratory experiences are an integral part of this course. Satisfaction of the New York State Science lab requirement is required to take the Regents Examination.

    BIOLOGY AP - 1 year, 1 credit
    Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Earth Science. Living Environment, Chemistry, and Physics R or Physics H
    The Advanced Placement Biology program is designed to be the equivalent of a college biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. The course is designed to provide the students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly change science of biology. After showing themselves to be qualified on the Advanced Placement examination, some students, as college freshman, are permitted to undertake upper-level courses in biology or to register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite. Other students may have fulfilled a basic requirement for a laboratory-science course and will be able to enroll in other courses to pursue their major. This college-level course in biology differs significantly from the usual first high school course in biology with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and depth of the topics covered, the kind of laboratory work done by the students, and the time and effort required of students. Course content and laboratory work reflect a college-level experience. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination, This course is intended for students who have consistently demonstrated a high level of achievement in Science. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination.

    PHYSICAL SETTING/CHEMISTRY R - 1 year, 1 credit
    Prerequisite: Earth Science. Living Environment R or H
    This course presents the modern view of a variety of topics in chemistry. The topics include, but are not limited to: Matter, Energy, Chemical Reactions, Properties of Gases, Acids, Bases and Solutions, Electrochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry. The unifying principles of chemistry that are basic to an understanding of the environment and the chemical principles of life are integrated into these topics. Laboratory work is an integral part of the course and is designed to encourage the search for relationships among theory, practice, observable data and proposed hypotheses. Critical thinking and quantitative skills are integrated throughout the course. Satisfaction of the New York State science lab requirement is necessary to take the Regents Exam.

    PHYSICAL SETTING/PHYSICS R - 1 year, 1 credit
    Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Earth Science, Living Environment, Chemistry
    This course will follow the Regents course of study with its core units of mechanics, energy, electricity and magnetism, wave phenomena, and modern physics. Laboratory experiences are the core of the program.
    Satisfaction of the New York State Science lab requirement is necessary to take the Regents Exam.

    FORENSIC SCIENCE - Full year, ½ credit
    Prerequisites: Earth Science, Living Environment, Chemistry Regents or Applied Science
    This course is offered to juniors and seniors who are also signed-up for Legal Issues concurrently. Forensic Science will explore the identification, examination, and evaluation of crime scenes using accepted scientific principles in the field. Joint assignments between Forensic Science and Legal Issues will occur throughout the semester and at the end of the year.
     
     
     
    NEW YORK STATE LAB REQUIREMENT FOR ALL HONORS AND REGENTS SCIENCE COURSES

    Laboratory experience is required for all Accelerated and Regents Science classes at AHHS. To be eligible for the Science Regents examination in June, each student must prepare satisfactorily written reports that represent their performing a minimum of 1,200 minutes of lab experience. All labs are to be completed with respective lab reports submitted during each marking period, as per teacher guidelines, to satisfy course and Regents Requirements. Pursuant to Section 207 of the Education Law, Section 8.2 (c) of the Rules of the board of Regents states:

    "Only those persons who have satisfactorily met the laboratory requirements as stated in the State syllabus for Science shall be admitted to the Regents Examination in such Science."

    These lab reports are kept on file by each Science Teacher. The deadline for final submission of 4th quarter lab reports is June 1. This will allow Science Teachers the opportunity to review and evaluate each student's labs. Students who do not satisfy the laboratory requirements are not eligible to take the Regents Exam in June. This means the student will not earn Regents credit for the course. An “Incomplete” will be given on their transcript and the student will be required to repeat the course in the following school year in order to satisfy their Regents requirement.