Science « Keio Academy of New York

Science

Biology (9th Grade;11th Grade)

As a laboratory course in modern biology, this course stresses the exploratory and investigative experiences necessary to develop inquiry skill and understanding of life. Biological themes stress the biochemical evolution and regulation of life as defined by the biochemistry, basic cell structure and organization, and requirements for energy (cellular respiration & photosynthesis), transport of nutrients, and reproduction of living cells. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the scientific approach and laboratory skills necessary to modern biology through text readings, lectures, and laboratories. This course is a prerequisite to 12th grade Honors Biology.
An 11th grade Biology (honors level) is offered to students who did not take Biology in the 9th grade. A course in Biology is required of all students wishing to major in science and is a prerequisite to 12th grade Honors Biology.

Chemistry (10th Grade)

This laboratory course emphasizes chemistry as an experimental science. Lectures and laboratory investigations develop the working concepts of modern chemistry. Emphasis is placed on concepts such as stoichiometry, atomic theory, chemical bonding, kinetic molecular theory, solutions, thermodynamics, rates and mechanisms of reactions, dynamic equilibrium, chemistry of carbon compounds, and the Periodic Table. This course is a prerequisite to12th grade Honors Chemistry and is taught on the Honors and Intermediate levels.

Physics (11th Grade)

Physics is a one year long, laboratory based introduction to general physics. The first semester emphasizes Newtonian Mechanics. Topics include: measurement, vectors, laws of motion, work, energy, momentum, friction, equilibrium and gravitation. The focus of the second semester is on waves, electricity and magnetism. Topics include: periodic motion, wave motion, sound, light, electric charges and currents, circuits, motors, generators, and electromagnetic fields. This is a prerequisite to 12th grade Honors Physics.

Environmental Science (12th Grade)

This course provides an introduction to how the world we live in works, how we use and benefit from nature, and what we can do to protect our environment for ourselves and for future generations. Building on a basic foundation of earth systems, the course examines trends of plant, animal and human populations; usage of natural resources and energy; production of pollutants; and difficulties societies pose to the environment.

Honors Biology (12th Grade)

This college level course in biology is based on the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Emphasis is on extensive laboratory experiences and the further development of underlying principles of biology in the area of DNA replication, protein synthesis, Mendelian and modern genetics, and evolution.

Honors Chemistry (12th Grade)

Organic chemistry is taught at an advanced level to fulfill the requirements for students applying to the faculty of Pharmacy.
A college level course in chemistry based on the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board, this course places emphasis on mathematical formulation of principles and laboratory activities based on experimental problems and independent study. Concepts and principles studied in depth include atomic theory and structure, reaction types, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamic relation, and chemical calculations.

Honors Physics (12th Grade)

A college-level course in physics based on the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board, this course places emphasis on independent laboratory experimentation to lead to generalizations, the use of graphing in data analysis, and greater precision in measurement. Concepts studies in depth include dynamics, momentum and impulse, circular and vibration motions, heat and kinetic theory, electromagnetism, atomic physics, wave motion, electricity, light, and the conservation principles. The student should be able to use the trigonometric functions on calculators.

Computer Literacy (10th Grade)

Computer Literacy is a one year long, 2 credit course that develops skills in the operation of window computers, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Power Point, Visual Basic Application, Photoshop, and introduction to smart phone programming. The course emphasizes the use of healthy IT habits. This is a required 10^th Grade Course.

Course offerings and course contents may vary academic year to academic year depending on registering student numbers, instructors and/or instructors’ availability. This includes the possibility of a course being not available for a certain grade due to scheduling difficulty even though the registration list says that the course will be offered to 11th&12th grade, for example.