Life Science
Course Description Key
Descriptions of the courses offered at San Marcos High School are outlined in the following pages. Students should take note of the grade levels at which the course may be taken, prerequisites, and the length of the course (semester or year-long).
Some of the abbreviations commonly used in this section are explained below.
A-G Designation UC/CSU admission requirements (identifies courses that meet the entrance requirements of that school)
AP Advanced Placement (designates classes to prepare students for the Advanced Placement exams, which may result in a student’s receiving college credit for a course, even though the course was completed in high school
ELD English Language Development (designates English classes for those learning English as a second language).
(P) College preparatory (designates classes accepted by colleges and universities for purposes of meeting their entrance requirements)
(H) Honors (designates honors classes designed to prepare students for Advanced Placement classes)
BIOLOGY OF THE LIVING EARTH (P) - 41100
Grade level: 9-12
A-G Designation: D - Science
Recommended Previous Course of Study: None
Biology of The Living Earth course, based on the Next Generation Science Standards, explores the relationships between the living and nonliving components of Earth’s systems. By using science and engineering practices, cross-cutting disciplinary concepts, and evidence from experiments, research, and observations, students will learn how to formulate questions, evaluate claims, and develop models to make interpretations and investigate the natural world. Topics will include: Ecosystems Interactions and Energy, History of Earth’s Atmosphere: Photosynthesis and Respiration, Evidence of Evolution, Inheritance of Traits, Structure, Function, and Growth (from cells to organisms) and Ecosystem Stability and the Response to Climate Change.
Grade level: 9-12
A-G Designation: D - Science
Recommended Previous Course of Study: None
This is a one year lab science course designed for students interested in agriculture science and/or post-secondary education. The course emphasizes the California Standards in life science principles in molecular and cellular aspects of plants and animals. The course also covers chemistry of life, genetics, history of living things, ecological relationships and their environment, and animal systems. Research project(s) and oral/written presentations or reports will be a valuable part of the course. *This course meets the life science requirement.
BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (P) - 41101
Grade level: 9-12
A-G Designation: D - Science
Recommended Previous Course of Study: None
Biological Oceanography is a one-year laboratory-based science class that covers both the physical ocean environment and marine biology. Biological Oceanography is concerned with the interactions of populations of marine organisms with one another and with their physical and chemical environment. The course is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). During this academic year students will learn how to apply scientific processes to analyze and solve problems by interpreting scientific data and drawing logical conclusions. Emphasis will be on developing process laboratory skills including data collection and analysis, evaluation of information, and oral and written communication of experimental results. Students will begin learning about oceans by first being introduced to our planet Earth and plate tectonics. Oceanography topics covered will include basic navigation, marine provinces, marine sediments, bathymetry, the properties of water including ocean currents, and the oceans and climate change. Marine biology topics covered will include cells, genetics and traits, evolution and natural selection as well as adaptations of some pelagic and benthic organisms, and ecosystems interactions including marine food webs. The course will conclude with students evaluating how climate change may impact the oceans, coastlines, and marine organisms and habitats.
AP BIOLOGY - 45201
Grade level: 11-12
A-G Designation: D - Science
Recommended Previous Course of Study: Grade of B or higher in Biology and Chemistry.
AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through Inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes-energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology and interactions. This course requires that 25 percent of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices. The course is based on four Big Ideas, which encompass core scientific principles, theories, and processes that cut across traditional boundaries and provide a broad way of thinking about living organisms and biological systems.
The following are the four Big Ideas:
The process of evolution explains the diversity and unity of life.
Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY(H) - 81203 (Weighted Grade)
Grade level: 11-12
A-G Designation: D - Science
Recommended Previous Course of Study: Biology with a C or better highly recommended
This honors course is designed to provide a rigorous, broad based, general study of human anatomy and physiology. Through the use of microscopes, models, skeletons and dissections, students will gain a thorough understanding of the structure and function of the major systems of the human body. It also covers the skills students will need as a part of the medical pathway capstone course their senior year. The focus of this course is for students who have interests and intent to pursue a career in science or health care related professions and who desire to learn more about the human body.
GENETICS (H) - 45207 (Weighted Grade)
Grade level: 11-12
A-G Designation: D - Science
Recommended Previous Course of Study: Grade of B or better in Biology; Chemistry recommended.
This course is designed to broaden a student’s knowledge of an exciting and explosive branch of biology— human genetics. Topics include cell physiology, chromosomes and karyotypes, mitosis, meiosis, patterns of inheritance, human genetic disorders, DNA structure and function, protein synthesis, enzymes and biochemical pathways, genetic engineering, and other advanced topics. Bioethical issues are explored throughout the course. Instruction is differentiated in order to provide the depth, complexity, novelty, and pacing required by state gifted standards.
FORENSIC SCIENCE (P) - 45100
Grade level: 11-12
A-G Designation: D - Science
Recommended Previous Course of Study: Successful completion of one year of physical science, and one year of life science.
Forensic science is the application of multiple scientific disciplines to the investigation of criminal or civil questions of the law. Forensic science utilizes the principles, facts, and lab techniques from the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, anatomy and physiology to analyze and interpret evidence within the realm of our legal system. We will begin with an introduction to scientific inquiry and the process of forensic investigation. We will then apply our knowledge of investigation to the analysis of trace evidence (hair, fibers, fingerprints, etc.), DNA, blood, bodies, ballistics, toxicology, entomology, botany and anthropology. Students will actively participate in labs and activities relating to the investigation of crime scenes and the analysis of evidence while developing their writing, problem solving and critical thinking skills. In addition, the ethical, legal, and social concerns surrounding forensics will be discussed.