Science Department

Science is concerned with the facts, concepts and processes at work in the physical and biological worlds. This department puts science in historical perspective and relates science to problems in society and technology. Emphasis is placed on developing problem-solving skills and scientific attitudes.

The aim is to provide a broad science education for all and to prepare students who may choose science as a life work. The heart of the program is the laboratory.

In the laboratory students reinforce theory, develop skills, analyze, present and interpret data. Students, individually and in groups, are encouraged to explore their own science interests. Resources are available to them in the laboratory, the library, the school and the community.

General Information and Graduation Requirements
All science courses are scheduled for 80-minute blocks every other day, and 40 minutes on the remaining days. All are full-year courses and one credit is earned.

There are many possible course sequences. Students may move freely from one science course to another as their interests and abilities develop. A very common sequence is to take earth science in ninth grade, then biology, then chemistry and physics.

For exceptionally motivated and talented science students, a recommended accelerated sequence would be Biology H in ninth grade, then Chemistry H, Physics H and an advanced placement course in biology, chemistry or physics.

Students are required to earn three credits in science; at least one credit must be a course in biology. All students are required to pass at least one science Regents examination for a Regents diploma. For an Advanced Regents diploma, students must earn three credits in science, and pass two Regents exams (with one being the Living Environment exam). Documentation of 1,200 minutes of laboratory experience is required.

Math Preparation
It is strongly recommended that specific mathematics courses be taken before or concurrently with science courses. The science curriculum has been designed with emphasis on developing problem-solving skills.

To learn problem-solving skills, the student must read with comprehension and have some ability to think analytically. The best indicator of a student’s ability to think analytically is his/her level of success in
mathematics.

3601 SCIENCE RESEARCH SEMINAR - Year 1
3602 SCIENCE RESEARCH SEMINAR - Year 2
3603 SCIENCE RESEARCH SEMINAR - Year 3
3 years, 1 credit, Grades 9-12
Research Seminar is a three-year course consisting of: locating a mentor and developing a research proposal (year 1 – 100 hours), conducting research and intepreting results (year 2 – 100 hours), and interpreting and presenting results (year 3 – 100 hours). Students will perform out-of-school research projects that they will share with classmates during in-school seminars. They will complete research projects suitable for national competitions, for inclusion on their college applications, and as part of the “graduation by demonstration” to which the Niskayuna “Blueprint process” refers. During the course students will: (1) learn to interpret research literature; (2) perform unique experiments under the direction of professional researchers; (3) write research reports; (4) present oral reports to a variety of audiences; (5) keep written logs of their activities; (6) submit research reports to state and national competitions; and (7) refer to their research on college applications. Students will meet with the teacher twice each month and will meet in seminar groups at various times throughout the year. Mentorship relationships will be formed that enable students to present research projects in the third year. Students must complete all three years to earn one credit.

3120 SCIENCE TOPICS
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 9
This full-year structured course is designed for students who need a science credit (not a Regents science credit) for their science sequence. The course introduces the student to a variety of science topics taught at the high school, and is designed for ninth graders because it introduces them to a wide range of fundamental principles, ideas and investigations involving both the biological and physical world. It prepares them for the more sophisticated approaches to scientific inquiry and problem-solving in earth science, biology, chemistry and physics courses, as well as real-world interests and applications of science. Students will take a final examination in June.

3125 EARTH SCIENCE R
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12
Students will explore the sciences of geology, astronomy and meteorology. Earth Science is highly recommended for freshmen because it introduces them to a wide range of fundamental principles, ideas and investigations involving the world and it will prepare them for the more sophisticated approaches to scientific inquiry in biology, chemistry and physics courses. Students will take the Earth Science Regents Examination in June.

3127 EARTH SCIENCE H
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12
This course takes a more in-depth approach to the topics covered in Earth Science R. Students are expected to readily apply learned principles to novel situations encountered through lab activities and tests. They should show a high degree of interest and motivation as well as intellectual curiosity. Students enrolling in this course should work well independently and have experienced high achievement in past science courses without depending on rote learning or tutoring. Students will take the Earth Science Regents Examination in June.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Math 2 A or concurrent enrollment

3220 BIOLOGY R
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
Students will study unity and diversity among living things, maintenance in living things, human physiology, reproduction and development, transmission of traits from generation to generation, evolution, ecology and laboratory work in observation of microscopic and macroscopic organisms, dissection and experimental biology. Students will take the Living Environment Regents Examination in June.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Math 2 R or concurrent enrollment

3222 BIOLOGY R: LIVING ENVIRONMENT
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
This alternative, conceptual/hands-on biology course will address the Living Environment curriculum from an evolutionary historical perspective. The major topics of ecology, genetics, evolution and human systems will be explored in a manner consistent with the core concepts contained in the New York State Living Environment curriculum guide, preparing students for the Regents exam. Students will take the Living Environment Regents Examination in June.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Math 2 R or concurrent enrollment

3224 BIOLOGY H
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12
This course takes a more in-depth approach to the topics covered in Biology R. Students are expected to readily apply learned principles to novel situations encountered through lab activities and tests. They should show a high degree of interest and motivation as well as intellectual curiosity. Students enrolling for this course should work well independently and have experienced high achievement in past science courses without depending on rote learning or tutoring. Students will take the Living Environment Regents Examination in June.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Math 2 R, Math 2 A or concurrent enrollment

3315 CHEMISTRY M
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
Designed for students who need a science credit, but not necessarily a Regents exam credit for their science sequence. The curriculum will be drawn from the New York State Core for Physical Setting/Chemistry and reinforced with projects and exploration into environmental issues. Students will take a final exam in June and have the option of taking the Chemistry Regents exam.
Recommended preparation: Two science courses and Math A

3320 CHEMISTRY R
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
In this course students will explore major topics in chemistry as described in the New York State Physical Setting/Chemistry Core Curriculum. A significant part of this course is hands-on laboratory work, which is a requirement for Regents credit. Students will take the Chemistry Regents Examination in June.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Biology R and Math 3 R or concurrent enrollment

3322 CHEMISTRY H
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
The same content as Chemistry R is more richly developed, adding a more quantitative exploration of the chemical laws. Students should work well independently and respond well to challenging subject matter. They should show a high degree of interest and motivation as well as intellectual curiosity. Students will take the Chemistry Regents Examination in June.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Biology H and Math 3 A or concurrent enrollment

3416 PHYSICS M
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
This survey course in Physics is designed to explore, develop and apply the basic concepts of mechanics, waves and light, electricity and magnetism, and atomic physics. The conceptual approach is intended for those students who are still developing their abilities in mathematics. Students will have the option of taking the Physics Regents examination in June.
Recommended preparation: Two science courses and Math 1 R

3420 PHYSICS R
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
This course is an algebra and geometry-based study of the physical world from the subatomic to the cosmic level. Students will study the nature of matter and energy and how they are related. Topics include mechanics, waves and light, electricity and magnetism, and atomic and modern physics. Students will take the Physics Regents exam in June.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Math 3 R

3425 PHYSICS H
1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12
Topics in this course are similar to Physics R, with topics explored in more depth and with greater emphasis placed on derivation of equations and problem-solving. This course follows the outline for the B-level Advanced Placement examination. Students will take the Physics Regents examination in June. Students may also choose to take the AP Physics B examination.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Math 3 A or Pre-Calculus

3430 AP BIOLOGY
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 12
This course involves advanced study as outlined in the CEEB AP Biology syllabus. Topics are: biological chemistry, cells and energy transformations (25%); molecular genetics, heredity and evolution (25%); and ecology and taxonomic survey of plants and animals emphasizing structure and function (50%). A laboratory fee of $15 per student will be collected to offset the cost of supplies. The Advanced Placement Biology Examination is given at the end of the course.
Recommended preparation: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

3440 AP PHYSICS
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 12
This course prepares students for both C-level Advanced Placement examinations designed for physics and engineering majors. About 50% of the course is a study of mechanics and the remaining 50% is a study of electricity and magnetism. Several sophisticated independent-study laboratory experiments are included, as well as individual projects. The Advanced Placement Physics Examination is given at the end of the course.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Chemistry and Physics; completion of AP Mathematics or concurrent enrollment

3445 AP CHEMISTRY
1 year, 1 credit, Grade 12
This course prepares students for the CEEB AP Chemistry examination. Topics include atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, chemical equations, gases and phase changes, thermodynamics, solutions, equilibrium, acids and bases, kinetics, oxidation-reduction reactions, electrochemistry, nuclear decay, organic chemistry, descriptive chemistry and laboratory safety and procedures. A laboratory fee of $15 per student may be collected to offset the cost of supplies. The Advanced Placement Chemistry Examination is given at the end of the course.
Recommended preparation: Completion of Chemistry, Physics and Math 3 A
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