Olean High School

SCIENCE

PHYSICAL SCIENCE/EARTH SCIENCE (1 UNIT)

              Earth Science is the science that considers the earth in space, its materials, processes, history and environment.  Astronomy, geology, oceanography, meteorology and earth history are components of earth science.  All current scientific evidence suggests that the Earth offers a rare, perhaps unique, environment within which humans thrive.  Stewardship is a necessary responsibility if earth is to continue to provide a safe, nurturing home for humankind.  The goal of this course is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will foster a continued interest in the Earth and environmental concerns.

To reach this goal, the emphasis will be on laboratory work in which students in realistic situations develop and apply skills needed to solve problems.  The successful completion of at least 30 Mastery Level laboratory experiences is a prerequisite for admission to the Regents examination.  The Regents exam includes a performance test of laboratory skills and written responses that evaluate ability to apply knowledge in solving problems.

APPLIED BIO-CHEM (1 UNIT)

Applied Bio-Chemistry is a performance-based curriculum, where students are engaged in individual and cooperative projects.  It also provides students with an awareness of the natural world, basic scientific concepts, stimulation of inductive reasoning, and a basic understanding of biological processes and generalizations.  This course contains 6 learning modules: Natural Resources, Animal Life Processes, Continuity of Life, Disease and Wellness, Plant Growth and Reproduction, and Community of Life.

            The successful completion of a laboratory program of at least 30 Mastery Level laboratory experiences, including the 4 required New York State labs, is a prerequisite for admission to the Regents examination.  All eligible students must take the Regents exam.

LIVING ENVIRONMENT (REGENTS BIOLOGY) (1 UNIT)

            It is the intent that this course provides students with an awareness of the natural world, basic scientific concepts, stimulation of inductive reasoning, and a basic understanding of biological processes and generali­zations.  This course contains eight core topics and five extended areas.  Core topics include:  Unity and Diversity among Living Things, Maintenance in Living Things, Evolution, Biochemistry, Human Physiology, Reproduction and Development, Genetics, and Ecology.  Eighty percent of total class time is spent on these areas.

            The successful completion of a laboratory program of at least 30 Mastery Level laboratory experiences including the 4 required NYS labs is a prerequisite for admission to the Regents examination.  All eligible students must take the Regents exam.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (1 UNIT)

            Environmental Science is a junior/senior level performance-based curriculum designed to integrate the principles of science and human relationships to the environment using real-life, current situations. Field trips, short and long-term projects, use of technology, portfolios, and labs are the emphasis of this course. Some of the areas covered are: pollution, conservation, resource management, human population dynamics, laws and current issues, alternative energy sources, waste management, and natural cycles. This course stresses technological literacy. Students will work cooperatively in groups, as well as, individually. 

            Students that complete this Tech Prep course with a minimum 85% AV and a final exam grade of at least 80%, are eligible for 3 Biology credits at Alfred State Collegeof Technology.  Credit is based on these scores and the student’s portfolio which is sent to ASC upon request.

REGENTS CHEMISTRY (I UNIT)

In this course you will focus on understanding of concepts, relationships, processes, mechanisms, models and applications that relate to the study of matter.  The goal of this course is to obtain scientific literacy in generating explanations, in understanding and in creative problem solving.  The student will meet with the instructor five (5) times per week and be involved one (1) period every 4 days in laboratory activities.  Each student must successfully complete and have on file a minimum of 30 laboratory reports in order to be admitted to the Regents exam. 

PHYSICAL SETTING:  PHYSICS (1 UNIT)

            Physics is the study of the physical world.  Everything around us can be described and understood using the tools of physics.  The goal of physics is to use a small number of basic concepts, equations, and assumptions to describe the physical world.  Once the physical world has been described this way, the physics principles involved can be used to make predictions about a broad range of phenomena.  Many of the inventions, appliances, tools, and buildings we live with today are made possible by the application of physics principals.   

Physics is divided in five major areas of study:

                1.  Mechanics:  The study of motion and its causes.

  2.  Vibrations and Wave Phenomena:  The study of specific types of repetitive motions.

  3.  Electromagnetism:  The study of electricity and magnetism.

  4.  Standard Model.

  5.  Energy and work. 

At Olean high School, the Physics course is based on the Physical Science:  Physics Core Curriculum, published by New York State Department of Education.  The laboratory work must be documented showing a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory investigation, most of it “hands-on” and a significant part must incorporate problem-solving applications.

AV/CC BIOLOGY (1 UNIT)

The course content will include emphasis on molecular biology, heredity, evolution, reproduction and ecology.  Students enrolled in this course will have the opportunity to receive credit from Jamestown Community College if they have met the JCC pre-testing requirement.

The mechanics of the course will attempt to individualize instruction as much as possible.  Students will spend time in small groups and individual projects.

An advanced placement exam may be taken for college credit.  The primary objective of the course will be to provide enrichment in preparation for college level biology.

            Prerequisite:  Regents Living Environment, Regents Chemistry, and approval of the instructor.

            Chemistry 106/116 are general chemistry courses intended for students with an interest or background in science.  Students should have already taken a year of chemistry before enrolling in this course.  A general, basic understanding of math and algebra, including an understanding of decimals, exponents, logarithms, quadratics and algebraic equations is essential to success in this course.  (calculus is not required)  You should not be taking remedial algebra concurrently with this course.  Topics included are atomic structure, electronic structure and chemical bonding, solution chemistry, electrochemistry, introduction to biochemistry, nuclear, biopolymer and many others.  Students must have a recommendation from their prior chemistry teacher.  Students’ cost is $102/credit hour (this is the cost for 2006-07 school year, this fee increases every year) with 8 college credits through Syracuse Universitybeing awarded upon successful completion of this course.