Courses

Biology/Honors Biology

Biology uses coherent storyline units around engaging, real world phenomena to teach the new California Science Standards. Students explore the following questions:

  • How do the structures of organisms enable life’s functions?

  • How are the characteristics from one generation related to the previous generation?

  • How do organisms obtain and use energy they need to live and grow? How do matter and energy move through ecosystems?

  • How do organisms interact with the living and non-living environment to obtain matter and energy?

  • How can there be so many similarities among organisms yet so many different plants, animals, and microorganisms? How does biodiversity affect humans?

Honors: The honors curriculum dives deeper into the content and moves at an accelerated pace to prepare students for AP Biology and/or careers in science.

Chemistry/Honors Chemistry

Chemistry harnesses student curiosity to explore how matter interacts and changes to teach the new California Science Standards. Students explore the following questions:

  • How can one explain the structure and properties of matter?

  • How is energy in chemical systems transferred and conserved?

  • How do substances combine or change (react) to make new substances?

  • How does one characterize and explain these reactions and make predictions about them?

  • How can we manipulate these reactions to increase product yield and reduce waste?

  • What role does chemistry play in shaping the future of material science, climate science and geopolitical economics.

Honors: The honors curriculum uses algebra to prove concepts and moves at an accelerated pace to prepare students for college/careers in science.

Physics/AP Physics 1

Physics explores energy and forces and asks students to make predictions and find solutions to teach the new California Science Standards. Students will explore the following questions:

  • How can one explain and predict interactions between objects and within systems of objects?

  • How can energy manifest itself in multiple ways, such as in motion, sound, light, and heat?

  • How can energy be converted from one form to another?

  • How are waves used to transfer energy and send and store information?

  • How can scientific and engineering principles be used to design objects within set parameters?

AP: The AP curriculum uses algebra to prove concepts and moves at an accelerated pace to prepare students for college/careers in science.

AP Environmental Science

AP Environmental Science is an upper level science elective at Monte Vista. This College Board approved Advanced Placement course explores and investigates the interrelationships of the natural world. Students will analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made. Students will:

  • Explain environmental concepts and processes

  • Apply quantitative methods in solving problems

  • Analyze a research study to identify a hypothesis

  • Analyze data, visual representations, and writings

  • Propose a solution for an environmental problem and supporting your idea with evidence

Students are encouraged to take the AP Exam in May and can earn college credit if they perform well.

AP Biology

AP Biology is an upper level science elective at Monte Vista. This College Board approved Advanced Placement course studies the core scientific principles, theories, and processes that govern living organisms and biological systems.

The depth and breadth of this course requires a summer assignment and additional classes on Saturdays to complete hands-on laboratory work to investigate natural phenomena. Students will also:

  • Design experiments and procedures to test a prediction or theory

  • Interpret data to draw conclusions

  • Collect and analyze data

  • Develop and support a scientific claims with evidence

Students are encouraged to take the AP Exam in May and can earn college credit if they perform well.

Oceanography

Oceanography is a senior elective at Monte Vista. Oceanography focuses on the geographical and physical aspects of the ocean including its relationship to other earth systems - the biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Students study the effects of meteorology, erosion, and pollution.

The geology of the coastal ocean, beaches, and estuaries leads into a discussion of the ocean’s major communities and the biotic and physical factors structuring them.

Topics of current interest (global warming, coastal development, fisheries, and introduced species, resumption of whaling, coral bleaching and hydrothermal vents) are presented throughout the course.

Physiology/Honors Physiology

Physiology is a senior elective at Monte Vista and part of the Health Career Pathway. Physiology investigates the intricate relationship of the eleven major human organ systems. Students dive deeper into the anatomy and physiology of each organ system, and explore the pathology of various disorders and diseases. Students will explore the following questions:

  • How does the hierarchical level of life contribute to the complexity of anatomy and physiological functions (e.g. cells, tissues, etc.)?

  • How do the major organ systems coordinate with each other to maintain homeostasis within the human body?

  • How do specific major organ systems protect, support and move the human body?

  • How do specific major organ systems regulate the transport of vital molecules throughout the human body?

  • How are nutrients processed, absorbed and excreted throughout the human body?