Science

Term:  Full Year

 

Grade: 9

 

This course is based on the most up-to-date thinking in the field of Biology. It stresses investigation in the laboratory and covers topics such as: cells, biochemistry, multicellular organisms, evolution, genetics, anatomy & physiology and ecology. Laboratory and text materials are taken from various sources. Completed lab work and acceptable lab reports are State requirements.  Students must complete these requirements to be eligible to take the New York State Regents. Students will be required to take the Regents examination.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grade: 9

 

Prerequisite:  High achievement in Earth Science with teacher recommendation or qualifying score on Weber selection matrix.

 

This course stresses laboratory investigation and covers topics such as: cells, biochemistry, genetics, multicellular organisms, evolution, genetics, anatomy & physiology and ecology. Laboratory experiments are obtained from a variety of sources. This course differs from the Regents Biology course in that each topic is covered in more depth. Students are required to do more independent work in this course. Be advised that this course is very challenging and requires many written assignments including a research project and a comprehensive final exam. Completed lab work and acceptable lab reports are State requirements.  Students must complete these requirements to be eligible to take the New York State Regents.  Students will be required to take the Regents examination.

Term:  Full Year (MANDATORY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT)

 

Grades: 11-12

 

Prerequisite:  One year of Regents Biology, Regents Chemistry and Regents Physics. Physics can be taken as a co-requisite. Mastery level in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (B+ or better) is required. Teacher recommendation is required as well. It is strongly recommended that students have taken Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry.

 

This college level Biology course is a survey course designed for students who want to fulfill their college introductory biology course requirements while in high school.  Laboratory work is extensive and includes the 12 laboratory exercises mandated to fulfill the requirements for the Advanced Placement Examination which all students are required to take in May.  Students have a required summer assignment to read and research a specific topic and submit the completed assignment which will be due on the first day of class. The assignment will count as your first major exam grade (100 points) for the first quarter.  Late assignment will not be accepted and will receive a grade of zero.

Term:  Semester - September

 

Prerequisite: Must have passed Regents Biology.

 

Grades: 11 and 12 only

 

The course is designed for students who wish to explore the topics of modern-day genetics and genetic engineering. The laboratory exercises will include actual genetic engineering. Students will do DNA profiling (fingerprinting) and cloning experiments as part of the course. Readings for the course will be from a variety of sources and will concentrate on current topics.

Term: Full Year

 

Grade: 9

 

Co-Requisite:  Students who are part of Introduction to STEM must take the appropriate corresponding science, mathematics, and social studies level courses.

 

This course provides students with an introduction to materials and methods. Topics include an overview of physical and life science techniques; application of technological tools, programs and resources; prototype design and modeling; and analysis of collected data from direct measurement and surveys. This includes brainstorming project ideas, supporting evidence through the use of college libraries, completing statistical analysis, and writing STEM papers. Students may be required to submit technical essays to online competitions. This class is a 2 x 6 course.

Term: Semester - February

 

Prerequisite: Must have passed Regents Biology.

 

Grades: 11-12 only

 

Zoology is designed for the person who is interested in animals and wants to learn more about the animal kingdom. We will investigate the behavior, anatomy and physiology of select members of the animal kingdom through both laboratory exercises (dissections) and multimedia experiences. Topics will also include: adaptations, predator-prey relationships, and endangered species. (Be prepared for a working field day at the Bronx Zoo).

Term:  Full Year

 

Prerequisite:  Biology.  It is recommended that students have taken Earth Science. Open to 11th and 12th grade students.

 

This class is designed to emphasize the application of the scientific method and scientific principles to criminal investigations. Students will participate in laboratory practices in which they test physical evidence from fictitious crime scenes using current techniques. Students learn to explain their findings by writing expert opinions as part of their lab reports. We use current articles from different sources, documentaries and case studies to examine the work of current criminologists, and forensic scientists.  Topics include: contact evidence, ballistics fiber glass and DNA analysis. Students will produce a PowerPoint presentation towards the end of the year on specific case to show their understanding of the content of the class.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grades: 9-12

 

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Regents Biology.

 

This course introduces, by means of a laboratory and problem solving approaches, the physical concepts needed to understand meteorology, geology, astronomy and other sciences of the non-living environment. Extensive use is made of graphing and simple algebra equations to interpret observations of the environment. Completed lab work and acceptable lab reports are State requirements. Students must complete these requirements to be eligible to take the New York State Regents. The Regents will be required as a final examination. 

Term:  Full Year

 

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Biology and Earth Science. Open to 11th and 12th grade students.

 

Students in this course will study ocean chemistry, biology, geology, and its importance in our planet’s ecological stability. Topics include:  Exploration of the Oceans, density, chemistry of seawater, marine organisms, geology of the ocean, tides, waves, currents, climate effects, as well as the use of satellite data, and sea surface analysis. Students are expected to produce a PowerPoint presentation related to both an organism as well as a physical or geological topic. Computer programs will be used in the course.

 

Term:  Full Year

 

Prerequisite: Must have taken Regents Biology, Regents Earth Science and Regents Chemistry. Physics is strongly recommended as a prerequisite or corequisite.

 

Grade: 11-12

 

This course provides an introduction to physical geology which is the study of the Earth’s structure and the processes that formed the Earth and continue to do so. Course topics include an advanced study of rock formation, plate tectonics, volcanoes, weathering and erosion, crustal deformation, formation of landscapes, and economic geology. There is a significant laboratory component to the course. Students will also investigate the unique geology behind some of the National Parks and attend field trips to local museums and outdoor wonders. Students will become aware of the numerous job opportunities in the field of geological sciences.

 

Term:  Full year/this course does not conclude in NYS Regents credit.

 

Grades: 11-12

 

Prerequisite:

 

Chemistry is an introduction to fundamental concepts. Chemistry is a non-Regents, elective Science. The course emphasizes application of chemical principals, laboratory projects, research, WebQuests and student presentations. This course contains both a departmental cumulative midterm and final. The main topics covered are Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Stoichiometry (Mathematical Analysis of Chemistry), Nuclear Chemistry, Acid Base Theories, Kinetics and Organic Chemistry. This course contains a departmental cumulative midterm in January. This course concludes in a departmental cumulative final exam in June and the final exam is weighted as a 5th quarter grade in the Schreiber High School Grading System.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grades: 10-12

 

Prerequisite:

 

Due to the quantitative nature of the course, students should have done well in their mathematics courses to ensure a reasonable degree of success. This is an introductory chemistry course for the student planning to attend college. The course is based upon an understanding of fundamental concepts of chemistry.  The main topics covered are:  energy and matter, atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, mathematics of chemistry, kinetics and equilibrium, acid base theories, and forces driving a chemical reaction.  The stress is on the interpretation of regularities as brought out in student experiments. Completed lab work and acceptable lab reports are State requirements. Students must complete these requirements to be eligible to take the New York State Regents. Students will be required to take the Regents examination.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grades: 10-12

 

Corequisite:  Strongly recommended that students be in Math 10 Honors.

 

Prerequisite:  Mastery level work (B+ or better) in Biology, Earth Science, Math Honors and departmental recommendation.

 

Chemistry Honors is designed to provide students with a very thorough chemical background, as well as challenge their thinking skills and mathematical abilities. Initially, the course covers all the standard Regent topics (matter, energy, atomic structures, bonding, periodic tables, chemical mathematics, gas laws, chemical equations and formulas, acid base theories, oxidation-reduction, and introductory organic chemistry).  After these basic topics, Honors students study concepts and problems that greatly extend their chemical knowledge, as well as their reasoning and mathematics skills. This course serves as an excellent foundation for students with a high interest level in science, especially for those who intend to pursue a science major in college. Completed lab work and acceptable lab reports are State requirements. Students must complete these requirements to be eligible to take the New York State Regents. Students will be required to take the Regents examination.

Term:  Full Year (MANDATORY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT)

 

Grade: 12

 

Prerequisite:  Regents Biology, Regents Chemistry and Regents Earth Science (grades B or better are strongly recommended). Regents Physics strongly recommended.

 

Summer Reading Required.

 

AP Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary, introductory course in Environmental Science.  This AP science course will cover topics that deal with the interaction of living organisms in their natural surroundings, as well as ecological processes and the role that humans play in altering the natural world.  This course will contain a laboratory component.  At the end of the year, students will be required to take the AP Exam in Environmental Science and could earn credits in college level science.  Students need to have an interest in environmental topics, and have a good background in biology, chemistry, and earth science.

 

The summer reading requirement is designed to introduce students to some critical ideas related to environmental science, as well as to familiarize students with an influential book in this field. On the first day of class in September, they will be given a 100-point exam on the book, which will count as the first major grade for the first quarter.  All students must take the exam on the first day of class. The assignment details will be mailed home in June to students who enroll in this course, and it is posted on the teacher’s webpage.

Term:  Full Year (MANDATORY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT)

 

Grades: 11-12

 

Prerequisite: Chemistry Honors and Honors Math with mastery level grades (B+ or better) and teacher recommendation.

 

This course is equivalent to a freshman college inorganic chemistry or pre-med chemistry course. It is designed as a follow-up to the Chemistry Honors and is recommended primarily for students with a strong chemistry and math foundation. The course goes deeply into the fundamentals of chemistry and provides a high degree of intellectual and mathematical challenges. A major part of this course involves inquiry laboratory work and design. Students will be individually involved in many sophisticated lab experiments throughout the year to cover the Advanced Placement Test’s lab requirement. These labs include working with specialized equipment, such as: analytical balances, centrifuge, reflux condensers, spectrophotometers, multimeters, pH meters, computers, graphs, etc. Upon completion of this course students must take the Advanced Placement Exam. This class has a summer assignment. This is due the first Monday of the school year.

Term:  Full Year

 

Prerequisite:  Common Core Algebra 1

 

Grade: 12 ONLY

 

This is a non-Regents course and could serve as a good physical science elective for seniors. This course largely uses a conceptual approach to understand the principles of physics. Students are more likely to experience success if they are taking any math class concurrently. Some mathematical models are developed and require students to employ algebra and geometry. Topics include: motion, forces, momentum, energy, waves, sound, light, electricity and magnetism. Physics principles are related to relevant aspects of students’ experiences. Laboratory activities and small projects are commonly included in this course.  This course will not end with a Regents examination.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grades: 11-12

 

Prerequisite:  Common Core Geometry and Common Core Algebra 1, successful completion of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Science Co-Requisite:  Algebra 2 (Students should be currently enrolled in a Math Department course). This course is intended as a first-year physics course for Schreiber high school students who have experienced success in mathematics, Regents chemistry and Regents biology.

 

Physics students are introduced to the basic models and methods of physics. Topics include: motion, forces, momentum, energy, waves, sound, light, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. Students in Regents physics are required to develop competencies in articulating concepts and in problem solving. A minimum of 30 hours per year is spent conducting laboratory activities, which closely follow the course content. Students are expected to have facility with algebra and trigonometry and are encouraged to use graphing calculators. Completed lab work and acceptable lab reports are State requirements. Students must complete these requirements to be eligible to take the New York State Regents. The required final exam is the NY State Regents Exam in Physics.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grades: 11-12

 

Prerequisite:  Math 10 Honors, Honors Chemistry. Mastery level (B+ or better) in Biology, Chemistry and Earth Science along with teacher recommendation. 

 

Co-Requisite:  Math 11 Honors. This course is intended as a first-year physics course for Schreiber high school students who have experienced success in mathematics, honors chemistry and biology.

 

This will be a fast-paced, inquiry-based physics course covering all aspects of the A.P. Physics 1 course content and the additional material required for the New York State Regents exam in physics. Completed lab work and acceptable lab reports are State requirements. Students must complete these requirements to be eligible to take the New York State Regents. This course utilizes a college textbook. Class problems, homework problems and exams are significantly more difficult than those in the Regents Physics course.

 

Students in this course are expected to register for WebAssign to access homework and practice problems aligned to their textbook. Students are required to take the A.P. Physics-1 exam in May and the N.Y. State Regents Physics Exam in June.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grade: 12

 

Corequisite:  AP Calculus BC

 

Prerequisite:  AP Physics 1 - Physics Honors (mastery level B+ or better) and teacher recommendation. AP Physics C is a second-year physics course for highly motivated Schreiber high school seniors who have experienced success in honors physics and honors math (11-H) at Schreiber.

 

The course is the equivalent of a first-year calculus-based college physics course for scientists and engineers. Integral calculus is applied from day one. The course covers Mechanics in the first semester and Electricity and Magnetism in the second semester.  It builds upon topics first explored in Honors Physics and has the same emphasis on problem solving and lab work.  AP Physics C is rigorous, and students can expect to spend more than an hour each day working homework problems. Students in this course are expected to register for WebAssign to access problem sets aligned to their textbook. Students are required to take both AP Physics C exams at the end of the year.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grade: 12

 

Corequisite:  Students must be taking a math course at Schreiber. Prerequisite:  Regents or AP Physics 1 - Physics Honors with mastery level (B+ or better). Teacher recommendation. Honors Math with mastery level (B+ or better).

 

This course is intended as a second year Physics course for Schreiber high school seniors.  The course is representative of a full semester of a college physics course with a laboratory component for students who will be studying life sciences, pre-med, applied sciences and some other non-science fields. Students will employ algebra, trigonometry while solving problems in the APP-2 course. Topics include: Fluid Mechanics, Thermal Physics, physical and geometric Optics, Electricity and Magnetism and Modern and Nuclear Physics. The college level laboratory component will require students to keep a lab notebook which will be used to help gain college credit. Lab work will include open-ended experiences.  AP Physics 2 is very fast paced due to the wide range of topics in the curriculum. Successful students must be motivated to solve difficult physics problems. Students in this course are expected to register for WebAssign to access homework and practice problems aligned to their textbook. Students are required to take the AP Physics 2 exam at the end of the year.

Term: Full Year (One NCAA Credit Max)

 

Prerequisite: Open to all students who meet the selection criteria of the science department.

 

Co-Requisite: Students who are part of Science Research must take the appropriate corresponding science level course.  Students in Science Research must enroll in a science course each of the three years they are in the program, these courses must include Chemistry and Physics. All juniors must complete a summer research internship.

 

This course allows students to engage in hands-on scientific research and problem solving.  Topics include:  finding a project or experiment, developing the project or experiment, the use of college libraries, statistical analysis, writing several research papers, and entry in various competitions such as the Long Island Science Congress, the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair, Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, and the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Students must enjoy working independently with some guidance from the science research teacher. Students accepted into Science Research as 10th graders agree to a three year commitment. 1 unit maximum for NCAA consideration.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grades: 9-12

 

The purpose of the class is to make Biology interesting and understandable for ELL students who have a limited command of the English language. Students will learn the fundamentals necessary to do well in a Biology Regents class the following year.  Hands-on demonstrations, simple labs and enrichment exercises will enhance their understanding of scientific literacy. This is a 4 x 6 course.

Term:  Full Year

 

Grades: 9-12

 

Prerequisite:  Completion of one-year ESL Living Environment and/ or department recommendation.

 

This course is designed to prepare ELL students for the Living Environment-Biology Regents. Students who have limited English proficiency will conduct laboratory and classroom assignments that reinforce the concepts of the Living Environment Regents curriculum. 

 

Completed lab work and acceptable lab reports are state requirements. Upon satisfactory completion of the laboratory assignments students will sit for the New York State Regents examination being administered in June. This course is a 6 x 6 and meets the AIS requirements for students who are identified as at risk.