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Dual-College Credit Courses
Students can elect to earn college credit, in addition to high school credit, for the following courses through St. John's University.
CAP Astronomy | Grades 11-12
A non-mathematical perspective of astronomy. Topics include the origin of the Universe, cosmology, astrophysics, stellar evolution, quantum mechanics, planetary science, astrobiology, and the future of the Earth. Pre-requisite: Successful completion of two laboratory sciences CAP Anatomy & Physiology | Grades 11-12 This course covers the basics of human anatomy and physiology, including anatomical terminology, basic biochemistry, cells and tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, lymphatic/immune, urinary, and reproductive systems. It introduces common human disease processes caused by viral and bacterial pathogens, as well as genetic and metabolic disorders. Pre-requisite: Successful completion of two laboratory sciences CAP Biological Anthropology | Grades 11-12 In this course, people are investigated from the perspective of evolutionary theory. Students will learn about the process of natural selection and related issues, including patterns of inheritance. Also included will be an examination of the closest living relatives of humans (primates) with an emphasis on behavior and ape societies. An extensive survey of human ancestors will trace the origins of various life forms and recount how ape-like creatures evolved into modern humans. Students will also discover how natural selection can be used as a tool to understand patterns of human variation. Pre-requisite: Successful completion of two laboratory sciences CAP Weather and Climate | Grades 11-12 This course is designed for students to develop a detailed understanding of Earth's weather and climate, including the basic processes of our atmosphere. Topics include, but are not limited to, real-time weather forecasting; storms and cloud formation; ozone depletion; the greenhouse effect; El Nino and La Nina events; climate regions; and hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe storms. Pre-requisite: Successful completion of two laboratory sciences Regents CoursesThe following Regents courses are offered at Islip, where students are prepared to take the Regents examination at the end of the school year.
Living Environment Honors | Grade 9
Living Environment H is offered to students who have achieved an average of 85% or higher in 8th grade science and math. The core curriculum is covered in great detail and many topics are extended to prepare the student for the SAT II Biology-E exam given in May of the school year. Topics include, but are not limited to, cellular and molecular biology, ecology, genetics, animal and plant behavior, and evolution and biodiversity. All students will satisfactorily complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of written and hands on lab activities before they will be allowed to take the Regents exam. Pre-requisite: Recommendation of 8th grade science and math teachers, and the science chairperson Living Environment Regents | Grade 9 This is a required course for high school graduation. If the student is to receive a Regents diploma he/she must take and pass the Regents exam. Students in this course will learn how living things interact with the other living and non-living things in the environment. In addition, students will study plant and animal physiology, heredity, evolution and reproduction. All students must complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of written, hands-on lab activities before they will be allowed to take the Regents exam. Earth Science Regents | Grade 10 Earth Science is one of three Physical Setting core courses that students are required to take and pass if they are to graduate. Students, through laboratory, field and classroom studies, become familiar with the processes affecting our planet. Topics studied include weather and climate, earth history, geology, mineralogy, oceanography and astronomy. Students will take the Regents exam in June if they have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 1200 minutes of lab activities. Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Living Environment and one year of required mathematics Chemistry Honors | Grades 10-11 This course is offered to students who have maintained an average of 85% or higher in their previous science and math courses. The honors curriculum is an intensive preparation for students to take the SAT II Chemistry exam in May of the school year; students are also introduced to advanced topics covered in the AP Chemistry program, including gas laws, thermochemistry, kinetics, and equilibrium. All students will satisfactorily complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of written and hands on lab activities before they will be allowed to take the Regents exam. Pre-requisite: 85% of higher average in Living Environment and Earth Science Chemistry Regents | Grades 10-11 This is one of the Physical Setting core courses that a student can take to fulfill the Regents requirement for a Regents diploma. The Chemistry Core Curriculum is taught with some extended social and environmental topics. All students must complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of written, hands-on lab activities before they will be allowed to take the Regents exam. Pre-requisite: Earth Science Physics Regents | Grades 11-12 This course presents a modern view of physics that deals with the principles and laws of the physical world. This course will use a two-fold approach that includes the experimental as well as the theoretical, with an emphasis on mathematical analysis. The student will study mechanics, wave motion, light and nuclear physics. Much of the time, students will generate experimental data which they will be expected to relate to fundamental laws of matter. All students must complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of written, hands-on lab activities before they can take the Regents exam. Pre-requisite: Chemistry Pre- or Co-requisite: Algebra II |
Advanced Placement CoursesWhen students enroll in AP coursework at Islip, they are expected to sit for the AP assessment in May.
AP Environmental Science | Grades 10-12
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. Topics studied through class work and laboratory work will include: interdependence of Earth systems, human populations dynamics, renewable and non-renewable resources, environmental quality, global change and its consequences, environment and society, and choices for the future. Pre- or Co-requisite: Chemistry AP Biology | Grades 11-12 This is an introductory college-level biology course taken by science, engineering, or pre-med majors during their first year in college. This course will be offered with a lab period every day. Topics studied through class and laboratory work include cell and molecular biology, plant and animal physiology, classification, molecular and Mendelian genetics, ecology, and animal behavior. Pre- or Co-requisite: Physics AP Chemistry | Grades 11-12 This is an introductory college-level chemistry course taken by science, engineering, or pre-med majors during their first year in college. This course will be offered with a lab period every day. Topics studied through class and laboratory work include molecular modeling, kinetic theory of gases, chemical equilibria, chemical kinetics, descriptive chemistry, and the basic concepts of thermodynamics. Pre- or Co-requisite: Physics AP Physics 1 | Grades 11-12 This is an introductory college-level course equivalent to a first semester course in algebra-based physics. This course should be taken in lieu of Regents Physics for honors students, STEM Academy students, and students interested in careers in engineering or the physical sciences. This course will be offered with a lab period every day. Topics studied through class and laboratory work include Newtonian mechanics, work, energy, power, waves, and simple circuits. Pre-requisite: Chemistry AP Physics 2 | Grade 12 This is an introductory college-level course equivalent to a second semester course in algebra-based physics. This course will be offered with a lab period every day. Topics studied through class and laboratory work include fluids, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Pre-requisite: AP Physics 1 or Physics R Elective Courses
Choose from the following science elective courses to learn about some interesting fields of science! Courses with an asterisk (*) denote half-year, alternate day courses.Forensic Science | Grades 10-12
This course is designed for the student who has successfully completed two years of science. One of the two science classes should be chemistry or taking chemistry concurrently. Forensic Science uses the scientific method and techniques to solve crimes. Students will be introduced to recent advances in scientific methods that have been used to assist law enforcement and the criminal justice system with an emphasis on the techniques used in evaluating physical evidence at crime scenes. Topics include, but are not limited to, blood typing and blood spatter analysis, hair and fiber analysis, eyewitness accounts and proper crime scene analysis, and modern advances in DNA detection. *Marine Biology | Grades 10-12 This is a study of the marine life found in our global oceans, with concentration on the Long Island waters. The student will participate in all activities and complete a project that relates to the subject matter studied during the course. *The Mysteries and Discoveries of Science | Grades 10-12 This course allows students to explore current topics in science and apply their knowledge to current scientific discoveries. In addition, this course will discuss mysteries involving such things as Bigfoot, UFOs, other unexplained phenomena which have plagued scientists for years. Throughout the course, students will use the scientific method to discuss these current advances or unanswered enigmas in everyday life. *Natural Disasters | Grades 10-12 This course will provide students with the opportunity to investigate natural disasters that are a result of geologic, oceanographic, atmospheric, astronomic and biological processes. The class will explore the cause and effects of natural disasters through lessons, activities and multi-media resources. Research ProgramThis is an intensive three-year program for students who want to develop their research skills using excellent experimental design. Students will learn how to read, write, and present like scientists and engineers. Successful students will have the opportunity to enter and present their projects in the appropriate local or national research competitions. Each course serves as the pre-requisite for the next course in the sequence. The three-year research program is a requirement for students enrolled in the STEM Academy.
Introduction to Science Research (Course #1) | Grade 9 AP Seminar (Course #2) | Grades 10-11 AP Research (Course #3) | Grades 11-12 Check out the Capstone Program site for more information. |