• JHS Science Course Offerings

    Regents Courses:

    Biology:  This full year course prepares students to take the Regents exam.  Instructions are based on a series of lab investigations and class activities.  The students will design experiments, collect data, and interpret their results.  Upon completing the course, the successful student will have developed a basic working knowledge of the biological basis to problems in medicine, public health, agriculture and conservation.   

    Earth Science:  This is a full-year laboratory course of study that will prepare students for the Regents examination.  By handling materials and doing experiments, the successful student will learn to identify rocks, minerals and fossils, stars and planets, will develop a basic understanding of major theories that explain weather, earthquakes, volcanoes, and the history of the Earth.  The student is required to work with various pieces of scientific equipment.  There is an emphasis on accurate measurements.  Field trips will be planned to local points of interests.  

    Chemistry:  This is a full-year colleger preparatory course of study leading to a Regents exam.  Topics include atomic structure, bonding properties of the elements, states of matter, energy in chemical reaction, nuclear science, solutions, acid-base theory, electro-chemistry, and organic compounds.  Emphasis is placed on developing precise laboratory techniques.

    Physics:  Regents Physics is a lab oriented science course based on the New York State Core Curriculum.  Students will study mechanics, energy, electromagnetism, waves, and modern physics.  Other areas may include motion in a plane, internal energy, electromagnetic applications, geometrical optics, solid stat physics, and nuclear energy. 

    Geo Electives:

    Environmental Science:  This is a program of study centered on man hand his interaction with the enviornment.  Topics will include:  the study of Earth, ecological interactions, biomes, global ecosystems, energy resources, and managing human impact.  

    Physical Geology:  Physical Geology is a 1/2 year science elective offered to students who enjoy science and would like to participate in a "hands on" type of learning experience.  Physical Geology will include daily walking field trips, and all day field trip to Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake, as well as fun class activities and lab work.

    NR Earth Science:  This course will investigate the processes of change on Earth. Topics include mapping Earth’s surface, minerals, the rock cycle, the water cycle, glacial geology, plate tectonics, Earth’s geologic history, weather, climate, Earth’s motion in space, the formation of the solar system, and deep space studies. Environmental issues will be discussed throughout the year. Labs will be conducted throughout the year.

    Introduction to Science:  The first two quarters of this course will review the biological concepts necessary to prepare for the New York State Living Environment Regents. The second half of the course explores the disciplines of chemistry, physics, and earth science and how they relate to everyday life. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand and apply basic scientific principles to the technological and physical issues of everyday life.

    Applied Chemistry:  Applied Chemistry provides a broad overview of principles of chemistry, but it differs from Regents Chemistry by placing greater emphasis on daily applications of chemistry.  The course strengthens student awareness of issues through the study of Chemistry.  Coninuous lab activities and projects are required.

    Conceptual Physics:  Conceptual Physics covers many of the same topics as Regents Physics but is designed for non-science majors.  The aim of the class is to expose student to the world of physics around them.  The content of the class will emphasize labs and activities.  

    Anatomy & Physiology:  Anatomy and Physiology is a full-year upper level science class that provides a third science credit for students.  The course will focus on a more complete understanding of the basic principles of the human body and its functions.  Students with interests in the health professions will be introduced to concepts that will provide them a foundation for further studies.  Students will complete laboratory work that provides a better understanding of the different tissue types and organ system functions in the human body.

    AP Courses:

    Chemistry:  Course content is designed for science/engineering majors who wish to transfer to a 4-year institution.  This course is the equivalent of first year college chemistry, with lab work taught on site.  Students will investigate concepts surrounding atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, nuclear and organic chemistry.  Students will take the Advanced Placement exam in May.

    Biology:  The College Board as a part of its Advanced Placement Program develops this course.  It is a lab-based course designed to be the equivalent to a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors.  The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process.  The 3 general topic areas covered include Molecules & Cells, Heredity & Evolution, and Organism & Population.  Upon completion of this course, students will take the AP Biology Exam.

    Physics:  This year-long course is the equivalent of a first year non-calculus course in college physics.  Topics will include classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, modern physics, and nuclear energy.  Upon completion of this course, students will take the AP Physics Exam.

     Environmental Science

     JCC Courses:

    JCC Chemistry 1550 & Chemistry 1560:  College Chemistry I & II:  Course content is designed for science/engineering majors who wish to transfer to a 4-year institution.  In CHEM 1150 students will investigate concepts surrounding atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, chemical reactions and phases of matter.  In CHEM 1560, students will investigate the concepts surrounding kinetics, equilibrium, acids/bases electrochemistry, nuclear and organic chemistry.  Students must enroll in an evening lab section taught at JCC.  Successful completion of the lecture and lab will receive 4 college credits for CHEM 1550 and 4 additional credits for CHEM 1560.

    Graduation Requirement:
    All students must successfully complete at least 3 high school credits and 1 successful Regents Exam in Science in order to meet the graduation requirement.