Advanced Placement Biology is a college-level course designed to provide academically motivated high school students with an introductory college-level experience in biology.  Students will explore the nature of life in terms of biochemistry, cellular energetics, cell structure and function, genetics, evolution and ecology.  A major goal of the course is to help students develop a conceptual framework that emphasizes the application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to address their own questions about the living world. This includes developing skills needed to statistically analyze data.  Correlated with the lectures are readings and laboratory exercises.

The student assumes financial responsibility for all administrative and examination costs associated with the Advanced Placement Examination. Students in grades 11 or 12 may also enroll in BIO 101 and BIO 102 through the Community College in the High School Program at SUNY Orange and receive up to eight college credits if all course requirements are successfully completed. Students are responsible for all SUNY Orange course fees.

10th grade students cannot register for college credit in biology at SUNY Orange.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of Biology R or H and Chemistry R or H with a minimum GPA of 85, and permission of the department and administration. 

This is a college-level chemistry course which surveys: atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, principles of thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, qualitative and quantitative analysis, nuclear structure and radioactivity, and application of the foregoing principles to elements in the periodic table. Laboratory experiences are designed to further develop and challenge students’ creative thinking skills.

The student assumes financial responsibility for all administrative and examination costs associated with the Advanced Placement Examination. Students in grades 11 or 12 may also enroll in CHE 106/107 and CHE 116/117 through the SUPA Program at Syracuse University and receive up to eight college credits if all course requirements are successfully completed. Students are responsible for all Syracuse University course fees.

10th grade students cannot register for SUPA college credit.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of two years of science, including Chemistry R or H, with a minimum GPA of 85, a minimum GPA of 85 in all previous mathematics courses, and permission of the department and administration.

This college-level course is designed to challenge the students’ critical thinking skills by exploring the topics with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.

The student assumes financial responsibility for all administrative and examination costs associated with the Advanced Placement Examination.  Students in grades 11 or 12 may also enroll in BIO 148 through the Community College in the High School Program at SUNY Orange and receive three college credits if all course requirements are successfully completed. Students are responsible for all SUNY Orange course fees.

10th grade students cannot register for BIO 148 college credit at SUNY Orange.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of two Regents/Honors science courses with a minimum GPA of 85, and permission of the department and administration.

This algebra based college-level course is designed to challenge the students’ critical thinking skills by exploring the topics of: mechanics, electricity and magnetism. Laboratory exercises, with computer articulation, are designed to allow the students to experiment with the theoretical concepts involved in modern physics.

The student assumes financial responsibility for all administrative and examination costs associated with taking the Advanced Placement Examination.

Students in grades 11 or 12 may also enroll in PHY 201 and PHY 211 at St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) and earn four college credits upon successful completion of course requirements. Students are responsible for all STAC course fees.  

10th grade students cannot register for college credit in physics at STAC.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of two Regents/Honors science courses with a minimum GPA of 85, a minimum GPA of 85 in all previous mathematics courses, and permission of the department and administration.

This calculus based college-level course is designed to challenge the students’ critical thinking skills by exploring the topics of: mechanics, electricity and magnetism. Laboratory exercises, with computer articulation, are designed to allow the students to experiment with the theoretical concepts involved in modern physics.

The student assumes financial responsibility for all administrative and examination costs associated with the Advanced Placement Examination. Students in grades 11 or 12 may also enroll in APHY 140 and APHY 145 through the University in the High School Program at SUNY Albany and earn up to four college credits if all requirements are successfully completed.  Students are responsible for all SUNY Albany course fees.

10th grade students cannot register for college credit in physics at SUNY Albany.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of AP Physics 1 or Regents/Honors Physics with a minimum GPA of 85, a minimum GPA of 85 in all previous mathematics courses, and permission of the department and administration. Interested students must have completed calculus or be concurrently enrolled in calculus. 

This college-level course explores techniques in forensic investigation, including blood analysis, drug chemistry and toxicology, the many uses of DNA, comparison of fibers, paints, glass and soil, the identification of food dyes by paper chromatography, classifying carbohydrates and performing qualitative tests for amino acids, proteins and other chemicals.

This course is offered to students in grades 11 and 12 only.  Students are required to enroll in CHE113 through the SUPA program at Syracuse University and will receive four college credits if all course requirements are successfully completed.  Students are responsible for all Syracuse University course fees.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of Biology R or H and Chemistry R or H with a minimum GPA of 85, and permission of the department and administration. 

A first year college course for students interested in the planet Earth. The four basic areas of study are geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy, with particular emphasis on the physical properties of the planet. Discussions include the composition of the Earth and its structure, terrestrial processes, resources, and geologic hazards such as earthquakes.

Students in grades 11 or 12 may also enroll in GLG 101 through the Community College in the High School Program at SUNY Orange and receive three college credits if all course requirements are successfully completed. Students are responsible for all SUNY Orange course fees.

10th grade students cannot register for GLG 101 college credit at SUNY Orange.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of Biology R or H and Earth Science R or H with a minimum GPA of 80, and permission of the department and administration. 

This college-level course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the human body with emphasis on normal functioning of body systems. The structure and function of body systems, the principles of homeostasis and the usual causes of disruption to the human body will be discussed. Students will be able to apply learned theory to facilitate choices of positive health behaviors in their personal lives.

Students in grades 11 or 12 may also enroll in BIO 101 at St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) and earn three college credits if all course requirements are successfully completed. Students are responsible for all STAC course fees.  

10th grade students cannot register for BIO 101 college credit at STAC.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of two years of science, including Biology R or H, with a minimum GPA of 80, and permission of the department and administration. 

This college-level course centers around the study of life in and under the sea. This includes geological, chemical and physical properties of the oceans, classification of marine organisms, different marine ecosystems and human impact on marine ecosystems are addressed.

Students in grades 11 or 12 may also enroll in BIO 140 at St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) and earn three college credits if all course requirements are successfully completed. Students are responsible for all STAC course fees.  

10th grade students cannot register for BIO 140 college credit at STAC.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of two years of science, including Biology R or H, with a minimum GPA of 80, and permission of the department and administration. 

This three-year college level course provides students with an opportunity to conduct actual research at a professional level. Students may also enroll in ACAS 109 (Summer), ACAS 110, ACAS 209 (Summer), and ACAS 210 through the University in the High School Program at SUNY Albany and earn up to 12 college credits if all requirements are successfully completed. Students are responsible for all SUNY Albany course fees. 

Students will be scheduled in an every day Scientific Research Class and will be expected to do independent research outside of their class. Students will complete 240 hours of time that includes main components of the research program which include whole class activities, independent work both inside and outside of class, and presentations on their research. Students will also be expected to meet with their instructors on a regular basis outside of their scheduled class time. 

The course culminates with the students presenting their research in National Science competitions such as the INTEL Science Talent Search and the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.  Students must enter at least two Scientific Competitions during their Senior year. All students are required to participate in the school's symposium.

PREREQUISITES:

Selection to the program is based on academic performance, teacher recommendation, and an essay describing reasons for interest in the program. Interested students apply during February of their freshman year. Department approval is required. Students are expected to complete a summer assignment prior to the class each year.