Earth Science is a laboratory course emphasizing the process of scientific investigation through

the study of the physical world. The course shall include a discussion of the earth, its materials,

processes, history and position in space. Earth Science also examines the interaction between

Earthʼs weather and climate, the changes of organisms through time (paleontology) as interpreted by organic evolution. Finally, a major division of Earth Science is astronomy, the study of our solar system, galaxies, the universe, and deep time. The course will introduce the student to the quantitative nature of knowledge and the skills of scientific investigation.

The Living Environment curriculum is designed to promote scientific literacy as it applies to the

natural world. Students will demonstrate literacy when they are able to explain in their own words, accurately and with appropriate depth and examples, fundamental concepts about the living environment. Instruction stresses conceptual understandings through relationships, processes, mechanisms, and application of concepts. Students must meet the lab requirement to sit for the state Regents exam administered upon course completion.

This course follows the New York State Regents Core Curriculum for Chemistry--The Physical

Setting. Topics are covered in depth and include matter and energy, atomic structure, chemical

bonding, the periodic table, mathematics of chemistry, kinetics and equilibrium, acids and bases,

redox and electro-chemistry, organic and nuclear chemistry. This course includes both lecture

and laboratory oriented work. The students are required to take the NYS Regents Examination in

Chemistry.

This course follows the New York State Regents curriculum for Physics--The Physical Setting.

The main areas covered include mechanics, energy, electricity and magnetism, wave phenomena, motion, forces, heat, light, sound, nuclear physics and relativity. Presentation, laboratory experiments, problem-solving, and record keeping are an integral part to this course.

This is an introductory course dealing primarily with objects in the solar system. The course

briefly covers the methods and historical development of astronomy. Drawing on the most recent

data from space probes and the Hubble, the courseʼs major topics include the structure of the

sun, the structure and remarkable features of the planets and their moons, and solar system

debris such as comets and asteroids. Prerequisite: Integrated Algebra

Student research is designed for the motivated, creative, upper level and inquisitive science

student. The program was developed to provide interested students with an opportunity to acquire skills and concepts inherent in the science research experience. It is intended to teach students to be creative, careful, patient and exacting in their methods of study and laboratory investigations. The students will experience science through original research. The students will practice scientific thinking and learn scientific processes, which may advance the student in their educational and career goals. Research skills addressed include:  classifying, observed data, measurement systems and dimensional analysis, designing experiments, hypothesizing, controlling and manipulating variables, collecting, recording and analyzing data, following safety procedures, using scientific tools, understanding historical and social implications of science.

The course covers concepts and principles of biology from the structure of cells to the

organization of the biosphere. The course is designed to emphasize the evolutionary theme that

guides many collegiate biology curricula. Labs reinforce basic themes presented during lecture.

All students are required to attend a genetics conference at PSUC each year. Major topics: The

Cell/Genetic Basis of Life/Evolution/Diversity of Life/Plant Structure and Function/Animal

Behavior/Ecology.