Career Technical Education (CTE)

Business Environment is open to students 16 years of age or older who are working at least ten hours per week and are being supervised on the job. Students may qualify for general or vocational work experience. Business Environment provides an opportunity for students to sample systematically and observe a variety of conditions of work that will contribute to their career guidance and development. Emphasis is placed on the recognition of the relevancy of the school curriculum in meeting career requirements, self-development, self-evaluation and human relations. Related instruction is required for general work experience. 

No more than a total of 20 credits of Library Aide, Student Services, Teacher Aide, Academic Tutor or Business Environment can be taken for elective credit. 

Pass/Fail grade only, excluded from GPA. 

Digital Photography 1 A & B is articulated with MiraCosta College's Art 251 Digital Photography. Students can earn 3 units from MiraCosta College if they earn a B or higher on both their final exam/project and in the course. In addition, students must submit a MiraCosta College application and register for the course online via CATEMA; in-class support is provided for these steps.

Learn how to capture more visually compelling images and make the most of digital photographic technology. Beginning photographers will develop a solid foundation in photography, learning to use their camera as a tool to manipulate depth of field, motion and apply basic design and composition rules. Students will receive an introduction to Adobe Lightroom, learning how to improve exposure, correct color balance, and image sizing in post--processing. In addition, students will learn skills in Adobe Photoshop such as using layer masks, blending modes, etc., leading up to more intermediate editing techniques. Instruction, which is based on the California State Standards for the Visual Arts and CTE Arts, Media, and Entertainment, includes weekly shooting assignments, demonstrations, discussions, reflections and critiques. This course may be used for UC fine arts credit or as an elective. 

Building on the skills learned in Digital Photo 1, students will strengthen technical abilities and further develop individual photographic style. It offers a continued study of photographic theory, composition, content development, digital camera/hardware handling, studio lighting, and industry standards for color management and printing techniques. Students explore photography as a visual language and expressive medium, and they observe industry practices through onsite visits to local business, galleries, and service bureaus. The course culminates with the creation and production of a professional portfolio of photographs. Instruction is based on the California State Standards for the Visual Arts and CTE Arts, Media and Entertainment, includes weekly shooting assignments, demonstrations, discussions and class critiques.

Introduction to Computer Programming is articulated with MiraCosta College’s CS 111. Students can earn 3 units from MiraCosta College if they earn a B or higher on both their final exam/project and in the course. In addition, students must submit a MiraCosta College application and register for the course online via CATEMA; in-class support is provided for these steps. 

This course teaches students to code fluently in an object-oriented paradigm using the programming language Java. Students learn to select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve problems. The goals of Introduction to Computer Programming course is to be comparable to those in the introductory course for computer science majors offered in many college and university CS departments. Students learn language basics, including control structures, data types, input/output, operators, classes, methods and parameters, basic inheritance, and documentation. 

This course is designed to offer an introduction to computer science. Students will learn the basics of computer programming along with the basics of computer science. The material emphasizes computational thinking and helps develop the ability to solve complex problems. This course covers the basic building blocks of programming along with other central elements of computer science. It gives a foundation in the tools used in computer science and prepares students for further study in computer science, including Computer Science Principles and Introduction to Computer Programming. The course was designed to be used in a blended classroom. The primary language for the course is Python. Students also learn how to use Python programming language to control small artificially intelligent palm sized robots called Cozmo, as well as small programmable drones. This course also teaches students about Arduino programmable circuit boards and coding them. Finally, students explore building the components of a robot, both the software and the hardware, and how they go together. 

In this course, students explore concepts of biology and medicine as they take on roles of different medical professionals to solve real-world problems. Over the course of the year, students are challenged in various scenarios including investigating a crime scene to solve a mystery, diagnosing and proposing treatment to patients in a family medical practice, to tracking down and containing a medical outbreak at a local hospital, stabilizing a patient during an emergency, and collaborating with others to design solutions to local and global medical problems. 

Human Body Systems A & B is articulated with MiraCosta College’s NURS 151: Body Systems Survey for Health Professions. Students can earn 3 units from MiraCosta College if they earn a B or higher on both their final exam/project and in the course. In addition, students must submit a MiraCosta College application and register for the course online via CATEMA; in-class support is provided for these steps.

Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection and homeostasis. Students design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of the human body, and use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal manikin, work through interesting real-world cases and often play the roles of biomedical professionals to solve medical mysteries. 

PLTW Medical Interventions A & B is articulated with Miramar College's BIOL 131 Introduction to Biotechnology. Students can earn 4 units from Miramar College if they earn a B or higher in the course as well as a B or higher on an exam provided by Miramar College. In addition, students must submit a Miramar College application and register for the course online via CATEMA; in-class support is provided for these steps. 

Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; evaluate cancer treatment options; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.  

In the final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. Students have the opportunity to work on an independent design project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution. 

A course designed for 9th or 10th grade students who are interested in a college major or career path in the various fields of engineering. The major focus of IED is the design process and its application. Through hands-on projects, students apply engineering standards and document their work. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems, document their work using an engineer’s notebook, and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community. 

Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in problem solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation. 

Using Python® as a primary tool and incorporating multiple platforms and languages for computation, this course aims to develop computational thinking, generate excitement about career paths that utilize computing, and introduce professional tools that foster creativity and collaboration. Computer Science Principles helps students develop programming expertise and explore the workings of the Internet. Projects and problems include app development, visualization of data, cyber security, and simulation. 

The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout PLTW Engineering come together in Engineering Design and Development as they identify an issue and then research, design, and test a solution, ultimately presenting their solution to a panel of engineers. Students apply the professional skills they have developed to document a design process to standards, completing Engineering Design and Development ready to take on any post-secondary program or career.