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Academics » Academic Departments

Academic Departments

The High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College requires four years of rigorous academics within mathematics, science, English, and social studies to graduate. Students must also take at least three years of a language other than English, with the option of a fourth year. During Freshman and Sophomore years, all students take foundational engineering courses. To earn a New York State High School diploma, 44 credits are required. HSMSE requires 59 credits.
 

A Faculty of Life-Long Learners

Many of our teachers are considered to be faculty members of The City College of New York and have also taught at some of the most prestigious colleges in the nation. Our faculty regularly participates in advanced continuing education programs. A number of them have earned doctorates, and virtually all have advanced degrees. Many of HSMSE’s faculty had distinguished professional careers in business, government and other fields before deciding to teach.
 

Advisory

Through our school advisory program, we enhance our students’ personal connection to school and tackle important ideas that are not normally covered in regular classes. Students maintain the same faculty advisor all four years of high school. Advisory groups meet on a regular schedule.

Math, Science, and Engineering Departments

MATHEMATICS

Our students are required to complete an academically rigorous and challenging five-year curriculum in mathematics in four years. All students are expected to take mathematics every semester while in attendance at HSMSE.
 
Mathematics courses include:
 
Regents Algebra I
Foundations for Higher Mathematics
Geometry
Algebra II/Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus (full year)
Pre-Calculus (one semester)
Calculus (one semester)
Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
AP Calculus A/B
AP Calculus B/C
AP Computer Science
AP Statistics
Linear Algebra
Advanced Topics in Mathematics
CCNY Calculus III and Differential Equations
 

SCIENCE

All students take four years of science at HSMSE. In the first three years, every student will take Biology with Lab, Chemistry with Lab, Physics with Lab. Additional courses are available to choose from during senior year. At HSMSE students are challenged to develop their own methods and analyze complex results, all science courses are structured around problem-based learning and most utilize college-level textbooks. If a freshman student has already taken advanced science coursework they will be placed in the appropriate class.
 
Science courses include:
 
Biology with Lab
Chemistry with Lab
Regents Physics with Lab
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
Advanced Placement Physics with Calculus
 

ENGINEERING

The engineering program at HSMSE, designed in collaboration with Project Lead The Way, is a nationally validated pre-engineering program that aims to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from educational institutions. All students at HSMSE take the first two years of the engineering program.
 
Engineering courses include:
 
Design & Drawing for Production
Civil Engineering & Architecture
Digital Electronics
Principles of Engineering
Innovation and Design
Digital Systems Design

Humanities Departments

Four years of English are required for all HSMSE students. The driving philosophy of the Literature and English Department at HSMSE is the notion that books are the source of ideas. Students experience intellectual growth by engaging with these ideas and with the language in which they are expressed. Students learn to read texts critically, preserving the integrity of the texts while also drawing on authorial background and critical essays to illuminate the texts. By examining ways in which literary critics write about literature, students are exposed to new ideas and add layers of meanings to their understandings of the texts.
 
English courses include:
 
Grammar
Introduction to Literature and Composition
Literature and American Identity
Romanticism to Modernism in European Literature
AP English Literature and Composition
Academic Writing
Electives
 

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Four years of Social studies are required for all HSMSE students. Social Studies courses are taught at the college level and senior level courses are awarded college credits from CCNY. The Social Studies curriculum prepares students for the New York State Regents Exams as well as analysis of primary source documents and creative group projects to enrich the learning experience.
 
Social Studies courses include:
 
AP World History
U.S. History
Economics
Participation in Government
Electives
 

LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH

At least three years of a language other than English studied at HSMSE are required for all of our students. The German program offers four years of instruction. The Spanish program offers three years of instruction, beginning with level 2 for those freshman students who have taken level 1 in middle school.
 
GERMAN

German is the core language at HSMSE. Our program, developed in conjunction with the Goethe-Institut, helps students make the connection between German, the language of engineering, and their technical studies in math, engineering, and science. Students take an annual assessment designed by the American Association of Teachers of German and those that score at the highest level can compete to win summer study trips to Germany. The AATG and Goethe-Institut offers study abroad programs for juniors through Study Bridge. Students may take AP German during the senior year.
 
German courses include:
  • German 1 & 2
  • German 3 & 4
  • German 5 & 6
  • AP German
 
SPANISH
 
HSMSE offers Spanish to students who have taken and passed Spanish in 8th grade. Freshman year starts with Spanish Level 2. Spanish Level 1 is not offered at HSMSE.
 
Spanish courses include:
  • Spanish Level 2
  • Spanish Level 3
  • Spanish Level 4 (CCNY college credit)
  • Spanish is not offered senior year
 

MUSIC

Students must pass one credit of Music to receive a high school diploma. Core Music is designed to develop students understanding of music within its historical and cultural context. Students analyze works, articulate their impressions, and think critically in response to music.
 

HEALTH EDUCATION

Students must pass one credit of Health Education to receive a high school diploma. We focus on health issues that directly impact our community. Units include: Emotional, Mental and Social Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity, Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, Violence and Injury Prevention, Abstinence and Sexual Health and HIV, STD and Pregnancy Prevention. 
 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Students must pass 4 credits of Physical Education to receive their high school diploma (taken each semester, all 4 years). A variety of sports skills and fitness concepts is covered to provide all students with the confidence necessary to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Instruction is provided in a developmentally appropriate manner to account for all skill levels. Specific Units will be taught to certain grade levels trying to cover an array of sports throughout their four years of high school. Units may include but are not limited to Softball, Tennis, Basketball, Flag Football, Team Handball, Ultimate Frisbee, Speedball, Dance & Movement, and Soccer.