Science

OCEANOGRAPHY

This course includes an introduction to ecology (living things and their environment, food and energy in the environment, and cycles in nature), an exploration of human impact on the environment, and a community service project in an area of environmental concern. Half the semester will emphasize life forms found in the ocean and their relationship to their physical environment. This course may be used for either life or physical science credit. Course Prerequisite: Grades 11 and 12

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

The course combines general life science and general physical science, with emphasis on the environment. Students will observe nature in an attempt to better understand the relationships and interactions between organisms and the environment. Emphasis will be placed on current topics pertaining to the environment such as energy use, pollution, and human impact. Environmental science provides useful information that will allow students to make educated decisions for our community, country, and the planet. This course does not satisfy college lab-science requirements but meets graduation requirements as an additional year of science or for elective credit. Prerequisite: Grade 11 or 12

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

This course is a college level science course that prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam in Environmental Science. The goal of this course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Writing and math skills are critical. There are numerous laboratory activities that require extended commitments beyond the normal school day. Extensive study is required. This course meets the UC/CSU a-g requirements in the following category: (d) – Laboratory Science. Course Prerequisite: Grade 12; It is recommended that students earn a grade of B or better in Biology and/or Chemistry and obtain teacher recommendation. Students must also complete a summer assignment.

FORENSIC SCIENCE

This course is designed to follow the history of forensic science from the simplest crime solving techniques to today’s DNA technology. The class will require students to act as investigators, engaging in many of the processes necessary for a Science-as-Inquiry approach. At various points, students must gather data, think critically and logically about relationships between evidence and explanations, construct and analyze alternative explanations, and communicate scientific arguments. This course does not satisfy college lab-science requirements but meets graduation requirements as an additional year of science or for elective credit.

CRIMINALISTICS

This course builds upon academic themes in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Students will be exposed to lecture, demonstrations, problem-solving, experiments, and research in order to develop a better understanding of Forensic Science - the application of hard science and technology to the solution and prosecution of crime. The course is designed to follow the history of Forensic Science from the simplest crime solving techniques to today's DNA technology. Course Prerequisite: Grade 11 and 12

BIOLOGY OF THE LIVING EARTH

This new course is based upon the Next Generation Science Standards. The areas of study include: cells, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, evolution, physiology, and ecology. Students will utilize basic tools of biology including dissecting equipment, microscopes, lab equipment and chemical agents. Students will learn to apply the scientific method to their studies. This course counts toward life science graduation requirements. This investigative laboratory-oriented course emphasizes the basic structural, physiological, ecological, evolutionary, and genetic principles as they pertain to living organisms. Critical thinking and problem solving are integral components of the curriculum. The course is also designed to help all students develop an appreciation of the natural world and an understanding of biology’s role in society. This course meets the UC/CSU a-g requirements in the following category: (d) – Laboratory Science. Eligible students: 9th grade students

AP BIOLOGY

This course is a college level biology course that prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam. The topics studied are evolution, energy transformation, genetics, unity and diversity and ecological interactions. This class stresses the themes that unite these topics. Essay writing skills are critical. There are numerous laboratory activities that require extended commitments beyond the normal school day. Extensive study is required. This course meets the UC/CSU a-g requirements in the following category: (d) – Laboratory Science. Prerequisite: Grade 11 and 12, a B average in Biology, a B average in Chemistry, and teacher recommendation. Summer Reading: Students will be tested on chapter readings on the first day of school. All assignments will also be due at that time. See instructor for details

CHEMISTRY IN EARTH SYSTEM

Chemistry in the Earth System (3-course model) courses typically cover topics such as combustion, heat and energy in the Earth system, atoms, elements, and molecules, chemical reactions, chemistry of climate change, dynamics of chemical reactions and ocean acidification. This course presents students with the opportunity to consider the impact of chemical reactions on the global climate system. This course presents an integration of Earth and space science and chemistry but maintains an emphasis on chemistry. This course has been submitted for UC/CSU approval in the following category: (d) – Laboratory Science.

AP CHEMISTRY

This course is for students interested in deepening their background in the physical sciences and prepares students to take the AP exam in Chemistry. The course presents an extension of some topics studied in Chemistry and introduces advanced topics in Chemistry. The course challenges students with learning activities equivalent to those of a first-year college Chemistry class. Lectures, demonstrations, and studentperformed laboratory exercises are used to deepen students’ understanding of advanced topics. Successful students will attain an in depth understanding of chemical concepts, laboratory experience and some knowledge of current directions in chemical research. This course will include laboratory classes outside of normal school hours to be scheduled after school or at other suitable times. This course meets the UC/CSU a-g requirements in the following category: (d) – Laboratory Science. Course Prerequisite: Grade 11 or 12; Integrated Math 1 with B or better; 1 year chemistry with B or better; Physics with a grade of B or better (or current enrollment in Physics) strongly recommended; teacher recommendation. A summer assignment is required for students enrolled in this course.

PHYSICS IN THE UNIVERSE

Physics of the Universe courses (3-course model) typically cover topics such as forces and motion, gravity and electromagnetism, energy conversion, nuclear processes, waves, electromagnetic radiation, stars and the origin of the universe. Physics of the Universe courses present opportunities for students to participate in engineering design challenges related to energy conversion. This course integrates engineering and envionmental principles into curriculum but maintains an emphasis on physics. This course has been submitted for UC/CSU approval in the following category: (d) – Laboratory Science.

AP PHYSICS 1 (ALGEBRA-BASED)

Students explore principles of kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; torque; rotational motion and angular momentum; gravitation and circular motion; work, energy, and power; linear momentum; oscillations, mechanical waves and sound; introduction to electric circuits. The course is based on the “big ideas” in physics, which encompass core scientific principles, theories and processes that cut across traditional boundaries and provide a broad way of thinking about the physical world, such as: (1) Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structure. (2) Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions. (3) The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces. (4) Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems. (5) Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws. (6) Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the permanent transfer of mass and serve as a mathematical model for the description of other phenomena. This course meets the UC/CSU a-g requirements in the following category: (d) – Laboratory Science. Prerequisite: Grade 11 or 12; Integrated Math 2 with B or better; Chemistry with B or better; Physics with a B or better (or concurrent enrollment in Physics) strongly recommended; teacher recommendation.

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY/ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY HONORS

This is an advanced course designed to study the structure and function of the human body. Students will gain an in depth knowledge of cells, tissues, organs, organ system design and the diseases associated with each. Students will use current research to analyze articles and explore careers that involve the human body. Dissection specimens are used to model anatomical structures. Students perform thorough examination of the eleven systems of the body including the integument, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive system and the diseases associated with each one. Key anatomical and physiological concepts are emphasized during organ system analysis. In addition, lab activity summaries and research projects are also required. This course meets the UC/CSU a-g requirements in the following category: (d) – Laboratory Science. Honors Prerequisite: Biology with a B or better and Chemistry with a C or better and recommendation of previous science teacher. Concurrent enrollment in Physics is acceptable.