Physics - Academic
1.00 Unit            Wt. 1.05                        PD/WK 07
Regents Exam Required

Offered in Grades 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Living Environment, Academic Chemistry or Earth Science and Math AB

This course explores and week to explain the nature of matter and energy by studying mechanics, waves phenomena, electricity and modern physics.  Since the basic approach is problem solving, it is strongly advised that students have a strong working knowledge of algebra and geometry.  Laboratory work and report writing are course requirements for the Regents examination.

Sheltered Physics
1.00 Unit         WT. 1.00            PD/WK  05  

This course is an introduction to physics and scientific analysis for English language learners.  It concentrates on English acquisition, reading comprehension, science skills, scientific method, laboratory skills and graphing.  The variety of topics studied include: energy form and transformations; gravity; inertia; velocity; acceleration; atomic structure; electricity; magnetisms; heat; pressure and machines.

Physics B - AP
1.00 Unit                   Wt. 1.10                PD/WK 07
AP Examination Fee Payment Required Before November 1

Offered in Grades 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Regents Living Environment, Regents Chemistry, and completion of Math A.  Students who wish to elect this course must have satisfied one of the following requirements: passed honors chemistry, earned a 90% or higher final average in Regents Chemistry; taken a placement test.  Since this is a college level course that terminates with an AP exam, students electing this course must be strong math students and must be familiar with algebra and trigonometry.  Therefore, a final average of 90% in Math A is strongly recommended.  "In some schools, AP Physics has been taught successfully (as the first year of physics) as a very intensive first-year course, but this format may be difficult for students to have enough time to develop conceptual understandings..." (College Board, 2002, p.5).

This course is part of the Advanced Placement Program in Science, and it provides a foundation for students who are planning careers in life science, pre-medicine, and some applied sciences.  However, this course is not part of the college sequence for students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering.  Topics include mechanics, electricity and magnetism, kinetic theory and thermodynamics, waves and optics, and modern physics.  Laboratory activities and report writing are course requirements.  Students electing this course must take the AP Physics B examination, and they may sit for the Regents examination in Physics given in June.

Physics C - AP
1.00 Unit                Wt: 1.10                PD/WK 07
AP Examination Fee Payment Required Before November 1

Offered in Grade 11, 12
Prerequisites: Three Regents Level Courses (One must be Regents Physics).  Calculus is a co-requisite.

This course ordinarily forms the first part of a college sequence serving as the foundation for students interested in the physical sciences or engineering.  Strong emphasis is placed on solving a variety of challenging problems in physics.  The course is divided into two parts.  Part A treats problems in mechanics; Part B treats problems in electricity and magnetism. Calculus is used increasingly as the year progresses for both derivations and problem solving.  Appropriate laboratory experiments are performed where possible.

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