AP World History

Grade 10-12     Credit: 1 The Advance Placement program in World History is designed to provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in modern World History. The course is rigorous in the sense that it covers the “big picture” of all of World History beginning with Neolithic Man and ending with the Modern Era. The course is divided into five main periods of history. Each period will be followed by only one large exam per marking period. Students should expect between forty-five minutes to an hour of AP World homework per night between 4-5 nights per week. Weekend assignments are the norm, not the exception. Take home essay assignments supplement in-class examinations. Two historical books will be read during the year in addition to the text and will require writing assignments. Students are required to sit for both the AP Exam and the NYS Global History and Geography Regents. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, the goals of the course are to develop the following: An understanding of some of the principal themes in modern World History An ability to analyze historical evidence An ability to analyze and to express historical understanding in writing Prerequisites: Mastery of Global 9 (92 average or better, passage of AP entrance exam, teacher recommendation, approval of department chair/academic associate principal)

General Chemistry

Grades 11-12     Credit: 1 This course is designed for the third year science students and will provide instruction in topics including but not limited to matter and energy, atomic structure, bonding, periodic tables and acids and bases. The course, while examining fewer topics, will examine topics and concepts in depth. Laboratory methods and skills will be learned in order to expand the student’s understanding of Chemistry. A comprehensive school exam will be administered at the end of the course. This is not a NYS Regents Course. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Earth Science, Biology, and Integrated Algebra.

Pre-Calculus (UHS)

Grades 11-12     Credit: 1 Pre-Calculus is designed to prepare the students for a college level calculus course. The course will have a strong emphasis on the analysis of functions, the applications of trigonometry and solving real-life word problems. The final semester of Pre-Calculus will focus on the fundamentals of introductory calculus including limits, definition of derivative, derivative rules and curve sketching. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to take a school final exam approved by the University at Albany. A graphing calculator is required for this course. The recommended model is the TI 84+. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II Honors or Regents and a passing score on the Algebra II Regents.

Honors Chemistry

Grade 10-11     Credit: 1 The chemistry curriculum includes the following topics: matter and energy, atomic structure, bonding, periodic table, mathematics of chemistry, kinetics and equilibrium, acids and bases, redox and electrochemistry, organic chemistry, application of chemical principles, and nuclear chemistry. During the year the students develop skills in measurement, handling chemicals safely, and collecting and organizing data/evidence. They then will be encouraged to think critically, weigh the evidence, and extend their problem solving abilities. The Honors level course includes all additional materials in the New York State Syllabus. In addition, students will perform more demanding laboratory experiments requiring applications of chemical mathematics principles and equation writing skills. Students must complete a satisfactory lab report for each laboratory investigation. A complete laboratory folder is necessary in order for the student to take the required New York State Regents Examination at the end of the school year. Prerequisites: are the successful completion of Earth Science (Regents) and Biology (Regents) as well as successful completion of Integrated Algebra, and Geometry. It is strongly suggested that the student has either completed Algebra II or be currently enrolled in Algebra 11 and be recommended by his Earth Science or Biology teacher.

Global Studies 10 Regents

Grade 10     Credit: 1 The Global Studies II course is a study of world civilization from pre-historic to modern times. All major cultures are studied to learn their contributions to the development of world civilization. In the Regents class, a wide variety of important concepts are reviewed in order to enable the student to achieve on the New York State Regents Examination and at the same time cultivate an appreciation of the discipline of Social Studies. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Global Studies 9

Advanced Algebra and Topics

Grades 11-12     Credit: 1 This course includes a review of algebra and trigonometry concepts. Topics include factoring, rational expressions, solving linear and quadratic equations, functions, lines, exponential equations, matrices, mathematical sequences, logarithms, trigonometry, topics in number theory and introduction to derivatives. A graphing calculator is required for the course. The recommended model is the TI 84+. This course is part of the College in the High School program and may be taken for credit from Hudson Valley Community College Prerequisite: Successful completion of Integrated Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II

English 9 Honors or English 9 Regents

Grade 9     Credit: 1 The ninth grade curriculum is literature-based. Students explore short stories, poetry, novels, plays and a variety of non-fiction works. Students are actively engaged in discussion and group activities. Writing assignments focus on response to and analysis of literature, personal reflection, research and creative writing. Public speaking projects help students become more comfortable communicating their thoughts and experiences in front of an audience of peers and teachers. The Honors course challenges students with additional reading and writing assignments and requires them to do a substantial amount of work outside of the classroom. Students in the Honors class must have the self-discipline and desire to challenges themselves intellectually.