Semester - 5 Credits (a)

This one-semester class paired with Economics for the other semester provides instruction in both historic and current processes and functions of the United States government. The primary goal of the class is to prepare 12th grade students to enter wider US society as informed and empowered citizens. As an AP level course, the curriculum is aligned with College Board AP requirements, and assessments are modeled on the AP US Government & Politics exam. Students enrolled in this class, however, are NOT required to take the AP exam in the spring. However, should they choose to do so, the course content is designed to ensure they will be well prepared. This class satisfies graduation requirements for government.

Year - 10 Credits (b)

Prerequisites: Grade 12

Description: For students who feel that their essay writing skills for college are already in good shape and want to develop a narrative voice, this fiction writing course emphasizes: 1) the crucial relationship between reading and writing short stories and 2) the influence of renowned writers on student writers. Concentrating on a different genre each marking period, students initially study stories by the masters and then create their own. The focus is on memoirs and conventional short stories in the fall, and on mysteries, humorous pieces, and children’s tales in the spring. Open to seniors only.

Year - 10 Credits (b)

Prerequisites: Grade 12

Description: This course is AP Literature and Composition offered through the African American Studies Department. Accordingly, this class is the equivalent of a college survey course on literary theory with a focus on Black literature. Through the focus of modern Black writers and works, students will explore and discuss a diverse selection of Black novels, short stories, and poems, as well as a wide variety of approaches to literature (such as Afrofuturism). The course will delve into and analyze the societal issues we currently face along with solutions we can envision for them. This is an Advanced Placement (AP) course for seniors and will prepare students for the AP Literature exam. 

Year - 10 Credits (b)

Description: This course explores the stories and experiences of Latinx people around the world with a focus on local Latinx authors and storytellers. Students will read and study various texts and genres such as poetry, short stories, fiction, nonfiction, essays, drama, and film in order to make meaning of the ways in which society, politics, culture, and intersectionality shape and inform our identities. Students also will learn the many ways authors use texts as a mode of expression, art, and activism, and be challenged to use what they learn in order to dive deeper into their own identity exploration. More so, students will acquire a deep knowledge and understanding of the historical factors which have influenced present-day Latinx communities, especially in the Bay Area, and gain an appreciation for the many contributions Latinx writers, historians, and artist have made to the world. Open to all Juniors and Seniors.

Year - 10 Credits (b)

Prerequisites: Grade 12

Description: This is an Advanced Placement (AP) course for seniors. The purpose of the AP program is to offer college-level content to high school students, who can then receive college credit by earning a sufficiently high score on the associated exam. The AP English Literature and Composition exam tests how well students can interpret and analyze fiction and poetry of recognized literary merit. But there are many schools of thought as to what constitutes proper literary interpretation and analysis. Accordingly, this class is the equivalent of a college survey course on literary theory, in which students explore and discuss not only a diverse selection of novels, short stories, and poems, but also a wide variety of approaches to literature.

Year - 10 Credits (b) (g)

Description: This course introduces students to LGBTQ+ literature and culture. Students will explore the personal, cultural, and political literature and histories of our contemporary understandings of gender and sexuality. Through this, students will engage with a number of questions: what does it mean to be LGBTQ? How does queerness/transness intersect with other identities and movements? How do we define queer/trans literature and culture? This interdisciplinary course will span multiple genres: novels (including graphic), memoirs, drama, podcasts, oral histories, zines, film, poetry, visual art, and more. 

Year - 10 Credits (b)

Description: This African American Studies course is an intensified study of African American writing from Lucy Terry to Leroi Jones. A multi-pronged teaching approach is used: aesthetic, cultural, social, and historical.

Year - 10 Credits (b) (g)

Description: This course explores contemporary Asian and Pacific Islander American issues through the works of APIA authors, poets, essayists, cultural critics and filmmakers. We will investigate topics such as: APIA representation in the media, how imperialism has complicated identities, and where APIAs fall in the Black-White binary. Students will be exposed to a range of perspectives from various historical contexts, which will ground their understanding of what it means to be APIA today.

Year - 10 Credits (b)

Description: World of Media is a film class that introduces students to the academic study of film. Students will gain exposure to several film theories including Formalist Film theory, genre theory, cultural film theory, and auteur theory. Students watch, discuss, analyze, write about and complete projects on films in each unit considering how they can apply visual theory in their own presentation of ideas. Students will examine many different kinds of film including shorts from several genres, film noir and neo-noir films, modern films by Black directors or featuring diverse casts, suspense films, and films by a variety of auteur directors. Additionally, students apply their theoretical knowledge as they gain experience with film production by collaborating in groups to write, plan, film and edit short films. 

Year - 10 Credits (c)

Prerequisites: Grade 12 and completion of Math 2 with “C” or better required. (Completion of Math 3 recommended) 

Description: How can we use data to make the best decisions for our own lives? How can we analyze what’s happening to the world’s natural resources, or examine biases in popular media? Explorations in Data Science will introduce students to the main ideas in data science through free tools such as Google Sheets, Python, Data Commons and Tableau. Students will learn to be data explorers in project-based units, through which they will develop their understanding of data analysis, sampling, correlation/causation, bias and uncertainty, probability, modeling with data, making and evaluating data-based arguments, the power of data in society, and more! At the end of the course students will have a portfolio of their data science work to showcase their newly developed abilities

Year - 10 Credits (c)

Prerequisites: Grade 12 and completion of Math 3 with a grade of “C” or better.

Description: This course will give an overview of inferential statistics and probability: correlation, regression analysis, applied normal curve approximation, intersection, union, and dependence of two events, binomial distribution, conditional probability and sampling. A graphing calculator is recommended.

Year - 10 Credits (c)

Prerequisites: Grade 12 and completion of Math 3 with a grade of “C” or better.

Description: This course provides students with the equivalent of one semester of regular college level calculus following the current AP syllabus and the opportunity to take the AP exam for formal college credit (granted by most, but not all, colleges and universities for a score of 3, 4, or 5). It is considered an Honors course by the UC/CSU system. A graphing calculator is recommended.

Year - 10 Credits (c)

Prerequisites: Grade 12 and completion of Advanced Math 3 with a grade of “B” or better.

Description: This course provides students with the equivalent of two plus semesters of regular college level calculus following the current AP syllabus with additional topics. This course moves at a very rapid pace and students will have the opportunity to take the AP exam for formal college credit (granted by most, but not all, colleges and universities for a score of 3, 4, or 5). It is considered an Honors course by the UC/CSU system. A graphing calculator is recommended. 

Year - 10 Credits (c)

Prerequisites: 

Description: Ask your Math Teacher

Year - 10 Credits (c)

Prerequisites: 

Description:  Ask your Math Teacher

Year - 10 Credits (c)

Prerequisites: Grade 12 and completion of Math 2 with “C” or better required. (Completion of Math 3 recommended) 

Description: This course includes the study of circular, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, rational, and radical functions, polar equations and complex numbers, vectors, simple probability and data analysis, limits, continuity, and simple derivatives. The course develops the skills needed to cope with the mathematical demands of a technological society with an emphasis on the application of math to real-life situations. Students are presumed to have knowledge of linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic equations, matrix arithmetic, elementary functions, graphing complex numbers, counting and probability. They will be required to learn the prerequisite topics to a greater depth and degree of formality. Students will be able to take the Math Studies SL level IB exam after completion of this course. A graphing calculator is required for students who are taking the IB test.

Year - 10 Credits (d)

Prerequisites:  Grades 11-12. Completion of Physics 1 and “C” or better in Chemistry. Students must attend an informational meeting in the spring before the course.

Description: This Advanced Placement course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course taken by biology majors. This course differs from Advanced Biology with respect to the textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered and the time and effort required by students. Molecular, cellular and evolutionary biology represent approximately 50% of the course material. Organismic and population biology is studied. from a molecular, cellular and developmental viewpoint. 

Advice: Skill in algebraic reasoning is required for success. Students must be able to recall basic facts and synthesize these into major concepts and themes. Time spent in reading the text is about twice that expected for Advanced Biology.  

Year - 10 Credits (d)

Prerequisites: Grades 10-12. Strong interest in science, and a “C” or better in Math 1. Completion of Physics 1. Success in this class does not require any previous knowledge of chemistry but does require good algebra, reading and problem-solving skills. 

Description: This course provides an opportunity for the more able students to pursue a college level course. Emphasis is on chemistry as an intellectual activity and on the rigorous training in fundamentals needed for future work in chemistry or related fields. Topics covered include the structure of matter, reactions, descriptive chemistry and chemical calculations. The laboratory will involve individual observations of chemical substances and reactions, the recording and interpretation of data, and the calculation of results based on the obtained data. Students enrolling in this course should realize that it is a college-level course and as such may require more study and preparation time than required in a regular high school course. 

Year - 10 Credits (d)

Prerequisites: Grade 12. Biotech 1/2 is required

Description: This course covers chemistry and biochemistry concepts related to biotechnology, genetics, DNA transformations, protein purification techniques, cell growth and monitoring techniques, immunology and other aspects of biotechnology

Year - 10 Credits (d)

Prerequisites: Grades 11-12. Completion of Physics 1, Chemistry/AP Chemistry, and Advanced Biology/AP Biology. Juniors may only enroll if they are concurrently enrolled in Biology.

Description: The equivalent of an introductory college course in environmental science, this is a comprehensive, integrated exploration of biological, chemical and physical aspects of ecological issues, principles and methods, including field study. The interdisciplinary curriculum draws on interrelationships between the natural and social sciences, and more global considerations, such as environmental justice and ethics. Topics covered include ecosystem and biome study, managing,restoring, and protecting ecosystems, energy efficiency and renewable energy, global climate change and ozone loss, water and land resources, and sustaining human societies.

Year - 10 Credits (d)

Prerequisites: Grades 11-12. Completion of Physics 1, Chemistry/AP Chemistry, and Advanced Biology/AP/IB Biology. Juniors may only enroll if they are concurrently enrolled in Biology.

Description: This is an honors elective course devoted to the in-depth study of the human body with applications from histology, bacteriology, and chemistry. Major systems of the human body are stressed, using requisite materials from many of the animal phyla. Extensive laboratory exercises are provided as well as collateral examinations of current studies in the human sciences. Individual student research investigations are encouraged. Advice: Students enrolling in this course should realize that this is a college level course and may require more study and preparation time than required in a normal high school course.

Year - 10 Credits (b)

Prerequisites: Grades 11-12. Prior or concurrent enrollment in Math 3. Completion of Physics 1, Chemistry/AP Chemistry, and Advanced Biology/AP/IB Biology. Juniors may only enroll if they are concurrently enrolled in Biology.

Description: AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory collegelevel physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics; dynamics; circular motion and gravitation; energy; momentum; simple harmonic motion; torque and rotational motion; electric charge and electric force; DC circuits; and mechanical waves and sound.

Year - 10 Credits (d)

Prerequisites: Grade 12. Concurrent enrollment in (or prior completion of) AP/IB Calculus. Completion of Physics 1, Chemistry/AP Chemistry, and Advanced Biology/AP Biology. Enrollment in AP Physics is a year-long commitment and requires submission of test results for the corresponding AP test. Students should attend an informational meeting in the spring before the course.

Description: AP Physics C is a calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The course is divided into two sections - Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism. The Mechanics portion explores topics such as kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; and oscillations and gravitation. The Electricity and Magnetism portion explores topics such as electrostatics; conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; electric circuits; magnetic fields; and electromagnetism. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course.

Year - 10 Credits (b)

Prerequisites: Grade 12 only

Description: This is an introductory science course which combines earth science, cosmology, ecology, biology, physics, and chemistry. It is recommended for senior students who wish to take a college preparatory science class but who have not yet earned a “C” or better in Physics 1, Chemistry, and/or Advanced Biology. This course satisfies one of the two years of science required for graduation.

Year - 10 Credits (g)

Description: This course follows the California Firefighter 1 curriculum and prepares students for future study of fire science as well as providing them hands on experience. The fundamentals of the fire fighting equipment, methods of rescue, emergency procedures and fire department organization. Integrated throughout the course are career preparation standards which include basic academic skills, communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving, workplace safety, technology and employment literacy. Prerequisite: Students will be required to arrange for their own transportation to a fire station when necessary. Note: Students are never allowed to drive other students.

Year - 10 Credits (g)

Prerequisites: Fire Science

Description: This course is open to both seniors and adults and will take place at the Berkeley Adult School one evening session per week and one Saturday session per month. It will instruct students to the level of Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. The EMT serves as a vital link in the chain of the health care team. It is recognized that most pre-hospital emergency medical care will be provided by an Emergency Medical Technician, who needs to know skills necessary to provide emergency care at a basic life support level with an ambulance service or other specialized service. After completion of the program, the student will be prepared to take the EMT-Basic exam required for national certification. Topics include CPR, medical terminology, anatomy, advanced life support interface, scene/patient assessment, communicable diseases, traumatic emergencies, medical emergencies, obstetric emergencies, pediatrics, geriatrics, environmental emergencies, and behavior emergencies, plus 10 hours of “ride along” with the Fire Department or ambulance crew. Integrated throughout the course are career preparation standards that include basic academic skills, communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving, workplace safety, technology and employment literacy.