Science
Science courses offered at Mohonasen
The department puts science in historical perspective and relates it to problems in society and technology. Science is concerned with the facts, concepts, and processes at work in the physical and biological worlds. Emphasis is placed on problem–solving skills and scientific attitudes.
Graduation Requirements
All students are required to pass three years of science to graduate. One of these courses must be in a life science (Living Environment or Living Environment I and II) and at least one course must be in a physical setting (Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Studies, or Core Physical Setting).
All students also need to take and pass at least one Regents Exam in science. Two Regents Exams are required for an Advanced Regents Diploma.
Laboratory Requirements
Completion of required laboratory experiments and activities, including submission of acceptable written reports of all experiments and activities, is mandated for admission to New York State Regents Exams in science. They also are required for district local final examinations, as per department policy. Labs meet for an additional 40 minutes two days during the six–day cycle.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites as listed for science courses are to be interpreted as the minimum background for success in a given course. Any deviation must be within the recommendation of the student’s counselor, the academic administrator for science, and the principal. Math courses are part of the prerequisite because of the necessary problem–solving skills they teach.
Honors and Advanced Placement Courses (AP)
The placement of students into honors and AP
courses is done through a merit-based evaluation system. Averages,
teacher recommendations, summer
projects, and parent approval are all be part of the process. It is
the goal of the science department to offer these courses to the
most motivated and deserving students.
Academic Intervention Services (AIS)
AIS in science is offered through the sequence of Living Environment I, Living Environment II, and Core Physical Setting. The curriculum of these courses has been designed to supplement English Language Arts and math skills.
Living Environment: Life Science
This course is designed to provide an
understanding of life and the interdependence of living things. It
is taught in accordance with the New York State core curriculum.
Credit: 1
Grades: 9,10
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of Science 8.
Final: Living Environment Regents Exam
Living Environment I + II : Life Science
These courses are designed to extend the
Living Environment course into a two–year program. It is designed to
help students gain the background information necessary to be
successful on the Living Environment Regents Exam. The curriculum of
these courses has been designed to supplement English Language Arts
and math skills.
Credit: 1
Grades: 9
Prerequisite: Level 1 or 2 on Science 8 assessment, Level 1 on ELA 8
assessment, or teacher recommendation.
Finals: Living Environment I: Exam Living Environment II: Regents
Exam
Earth Science: Physical Setting
This course will explore the sciences of
geology, astronomy, and meteorology. It introduces students to a
wide range of fundamental principles, ideas, and investigation
techniques.
Credit: 1
Grades: 9,10,11
Prerequisite: Preferred to have passed Living Environment.
Final: Earth Science Regents Exam
Earth Science—Honors: Physical Setting
This lab intensive course uses an inquiry
based approach to develop the intuitive understanding of the Earth’s
processes, events and functions. Students will design their own
experiments and conduct yearlong research projects. Ethical
evaluation of human impact on Earth’s resources is incorporated to a
higher extent in this course.
Credit: 1
Grades: 9, 10
Prerequisite: Passed Living Environment and passed or be currently
enrolled in Geometry
Final: Earth Science Regents Exam
Principles of Chemistry: Physical Setting
In this course students will explore the
nature of matter, energy, and change; the mole; formulas and
equations; states of matter; composition of atoms; chemical bonding;
rates of reaction; acids and bases; and several other chemistry
concepts.
Credit: 1
Grades: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Two years of science and enrollment in, or completion
of, Intermediate Algebra A/B, Advanced Algebra, or Advanced Algebra
w/Lab.
Final: Chemistry Regents Exam
Chemistry Honors: Physical Setting
This course will incorporate a much more
rigorous pursuit of laboratory techniques and skills, mathematics on
chemistry qualitative and quantitative procedures, problem solving,
and optional topics not covered in the Principles of Chemistry
course.
Credit: 1
Grades: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Two years of science and enrollment in, or completion
of, Intermediate Algebra A/B, Advanced Algebra, or Advanced Algebra
w/Lab.
Final: Chemistry Regents Exam
This lab-intensive course introduces students
to medical sciences. It provides students with an extensive
background in medical technology, medical lab safety, standard
procedures, and biomedical ethics. It is designed for students
interested in pursuing a college/career path in the medical
sciences. However, it is highly recommended that students pursuing a
medical field also take chemistry. This is not a Regents course.
Credit: 1
Grades: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Two years of Regents science courses—one in a life
science and the other in a physical setting.
Final: Exam
In this course relevant environmental issues
and their resulting impacts will be investigated through
interdisciplinary research and lab-based inquiry. This course is
structured in line with New York State math, science, and technology
standards.
Credit: 1
Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Two years of science
Final: Exam
Principles of Physics: Physical Setting
This course is the study of the physical
world from the subatomic to the cosmic level. It is designed for
students with a strong science and math background,
especially for those students planning to study science or
engineering in the future. 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.
Credit: 1
Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Two years of science and enrollment in, or completion
of, Intermediate Algebra A/B, Advanced Algebra, or Advanced Algebra
w/Lab.
Final: Physics Regents Exam
This course is the equivalent of a first-year
college course in biology. It is highly recommended for students
pursuing a medical field.
Credit: 1
Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Three years of Regents-level science including
Chemistry with at least an 85 average.
Final: Exam
*AP Exam is offered in May.
Advanced Placement Physics
This algebra based course is equivalent to
first year college introductory physics. The course presents an
in-depth study of physics with an emphasis on problem-solving, and
is recommended for students pursuing science or engineering.
Successful completion of this course, and the AP Exam, may qualify
for college credit.
Credit: 1
Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Three years of Regents-level science including
Chemistry with at least an 85 average. The course may be taken
following Regents Physics or as a first year physics course with
instructor approval.
Final: Exam or Regents Physics exam if enrolled as a first year
physics course
*AP Exam is offered in May.
This course is an in-depth study of both the
structure and the functions of the human body. Extensive laboratory
work is essential to the course and includes animal dissection and
laboratory reports.
Credit: 1
Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Three years of Regents-level science including
Chemistry with at least an 75 average.
Final: Exam
