Kurtis Kotes
Principal, grades 9-12
222 Scotchtown Ave.
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 615-6100
Science Courses
Biology 01
1 Credit
Biology 01 follows the New York State Regents core curriculum and is designed to provide the student with a broad and general understanding of the fundamental principles of biology, culminating in the New York State Regents exam for Living Environment. The topics included in the course are biochemistry, modern evolution, ecology, physiology of both plants and animals, and genetics. Biology 01 includes selected laboratory activities that supplement and enhance the classroom topics. Students who successfully complete this course are encouraged to go on to the Regents-level course in Earth Science.
Biological World
1 Credit
Biological World is offered in place of Biology 01. It follows the New York State Regents core curriculum but at a less rigorous pace. General concepts are stressed, with less emphasis on detail. This class offers an extra lab period every other day. Students take the New York State Regents exam for Living Environment at the conclusion of the course.
Biology Honors
1 Credit - Grade 9
The Biology Honors course is for ninth grade students who have completed Earth Science in the eighth grade and/or have been recommended for this course by their eighth grade science teacher. The course parallels the New York State Regents core curriculum, with substantial quantities of additional information being provided for the enrichment of the students and a greater emphasis on laboratory activities. Students take the New York State Regents exam for Living Environment at the conclusion of this course. Students who successfully complete Biology Honors are encouraged to take Chemistry Honors.
Advanced Placement Biology
1 Credit - Grade 12
Advanced Placement Biology is offered primarily for, but is not limited to, those seniors who have been participating in the Honors Program in science. The course is similar to most first year college biology courses in both content and objectives. Although emphasis will vary somewhat from year to year to accommodate the needs, interests, and abilities of the enrolled students, each area will be covered in sufficient depth to enable the students to succeed on the Advanced Placement exam in May. To enroll, students must successfully complete three Regents or Honors level science courses and are strongly encouraged to take all four core courses. This course has a mandatory summer assignment before the course beings in September.
Chemistry 01
1 Credit
Chemistry 01 is a college preparatory course, closely following the New York State core curriculum. The content includes such topics as atomic structure, chemical bonding, the gas laws, acid base theory, and kinetics and equilibrium. Students also perform a wide variety of laboratory activities which parallel the classroom topics. At the conclusion of this course, students must take the New York State Regents exam for Chemistry.
General Chemistry
1 Credit
General Chemistry is a full year New York State standards-based course offered for students needing a second unit of science. It is a flexible program designed primarily for students who intend to pursue a non science career. This course is lab-oriented and non mathematical in its approach. Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the role of chemistry in our technological society.
Chemistry Honors
1 Credit
The content and order of topics covered in this course is similar to the Chemistry 01 course, but placing greater emphasis on the mathematical aspects of chemistry and laboratory work. At the conclusion of this course, students take the New York State Regents exam for Chemistry. Students who successfully complete this Chemistry Honors course are encouraged to take the Physics Advanced Placement (A.P.) course.
SUNY Orange Chemistry
1 credit, plus 8 college credits from SUNY Orange - 2 semesters
This eight credit college course is a two-semester study of the fundamental principles of chemistry. Topics include Stoichiometry, gases, atomic structure, periodic properties, ionic and covalent bonding, Lewis structure, liquids, solids, chemical equilibrium, acid-base theories, solubility, equilibrium, thermochemistry, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, nuclear reactions, electrochemistry, and introduction to organic chemistry and some representative biomolecules. Laboratory work focuses on the application of these principles, emphasizing quantitative relationships and qualitative analysis of select cations and chromatography.
Physics 01
1 Credit
Physics 01 is a college preparatory course that closely follows the New York State core curriculum. The content includes such topics as description of motion, forces, energy, electricity and magnetism, and the standard model. Students also perform a wide variety of laboratory activities that parallel the classroom topics. At the conclusion of this course, students must take the New York State Regents exam for Physics. Due to the mathematical nature of this course, it is recommended that the student be currently enrolled in, or have successfully completed, the Algebra 2/Trigonometry course in mathematics. Students who have already taken Physics 01 can take Advanced Placement (A.P.) Physics B as a second year physics course.
Advanced Placement (AP) Physics B
1 Credit
The content and order of topics in this course is similar to the Physics 01 course, but covers additional topics that are in the Advanced Placement: Physics B curriculum, including the additional topics of geometric optics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and nuclear physics. Unlike most other science courses that students may take in high school, the Advanced Placement Physics B course emphasizes the role of mathematics in the study of the world around us. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Physics B exam, and the New York State Regents exam for Physics at the conclusion of the course. This course has a mandatory summer assignment before the course beings in September.
Earth Science 01
1 Credit
Earth Science 01 is a lab-oriented course that follows the New York State core curriculum and is offered primarily to 10th grade students, culminating with the New York State Regents exam for Earth Science at the conclusion of the course. Major areas of study include the processes of change, mineralogy, meteorology, astronomy, and historical geology. Laboratory experiences are stressed in this course and the student must satisfactorily complete all lab assignments. Students who successfully complete this course should go on to Chemistry 01, the Regents-level course in chemistry.
Planet Earth
1 Credit
This course is offered in place of Earth Science 01. It follows the New York State core curriculum but at a less rigorous pace. General concepts are stressed, with less emphasis on detail. This class offers an extra lab period every other day. Students that successfully meet the lab requirement may take the New York State Regents exam for Earth Science at the conclusion of the course.
Earth Science Honors
1 Credit
Earth Science Honors is a course for 9th grade students who have completed Regents Biology in the eighth grade and/or have been recommended for this course by their ninth grade biology teacher. The course parallels the New York State Earth Science core curriculum with substantial quantities of additional information being provided for the enrichment of the students enrolled. A greater emphasis is also placed on laboratory activities. At the conclusion of this course, students take the New York State Regents exam for Earth Science. Students who successfully complete this course are encouraged to take Chemistry Honors in the 10th grade.
Environmental Science
½ Credit - one semester
Environmental Science is a one-semester course covering the topics of basic ecology, world population, soil and agriculture, the water cycle, refuse generation and disposal problems, and energy. In this standards-based course, emphasis will be on the negative environmental impact of many of our current practices and on the consideration of possible solutions. Students will be encouraged to incorporate ideas into their daily lives. A research paper is required in this course.
Ecology and Man
½ Credit - one semester
Ecology and Man is a one semester course covering the topics of pesticide problems, natural pest control methods, water pollution, air pollution, acid rain, the Greenhouse Effect, the depletion of the ozone shield and the risks and economics of pollution. In this standards-based course, various specific examples (Hudson River, Great Lakes) will be studied. A research paper is required in this course.
Oceanography I
½ credit - one semester
Oceanography I is a one semester course which emphasizes the biological aspect of the oceans. Adaptations of various life forms are explored with a goal of understanding human impact. This standards-based course integrates aspects of biology, earth science and chemistry.
Oceanography II
½ credit - one semester
Oceanography II is a one semester course which emphasizes the physical aspects of the ocean, including topics in light, temperature, pressure, sound and water chemistry. In this standards-based course, aspects of biology, chemistry and earth science are integrated.
Forensics I
½ credit - one semester
Forensics I will help students understand and appreciate the world of a crime scene investigator. This course will combine hands-on laboratory experiences with real world scenarios to show students the “Real CSI.” Some of the topics that will be explored are forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, fingerprints, DNA, blood spatter, forensic toxicology and arson.
Forensics II
½ credit - one semester
Forensics II will help students understand and
appreciate the world of a crime scene investigator. This course will
combine hands on laboratory experiences with real world scenarios to
show students the “Real CSI.” Some topics that will be explored are
forensic botany, environmental forensics, glass analysis, the forensics
of car crashes and document analysis.