Science

Course Title: Health

Course Number: 4302

Grade Level: 9                                                                             

Elective/Required: Required

Length/Credits: Semester/5 credits

Prerequisites: None

Course Description:  Health is a required course which addresses federal and state mandates and frameworks.  Student will learn about personal health, communicable and non-communicable disease, nutrition, emotional and mental health, substance use and abuse, individual growth and development, reproductive health, consumer and community health, environmental health and personal and social safety.

Course Title: Biology (P)

Course Number: 4006-4007, 4006AOS-4007AOS

Grade Level: 10-12

Elective/Required: Required

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: None

Meets UC/CSU A-G category: “D” Laboratory Science

Course Description:  A study of biology is basic to all students regardless of their educational goals.  This course is designed as an introductory course in living systems for the college preparatory student.  The course is designed around the State of California’s academic standards for biology.  Major areas of study include cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution and structure and function of living things.

Course Title: Chemistry (P) 

Course Number: 4106-4017, 4106AOS-4107AOS

Grade Level: 9-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites:  Integrated Math 2 (or concurrently), Integrated 3 recommended, 9th grade by recommendation only 

Meets UC/CSU A-G category: “D” Laboratory Science

Course Description:  A study of chemistry is basic to all students regardless of their educational goals. This course is an introduction to the composition of matter and the changes it undergoes – the science of matter.  The course is designed to follow the California State Content Standards for chemistry. Major areas of study are atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonds, conservation of matter, stoichiometry, gases and their properties, acids and bases, solutions, chemical thermodynamics, reaction rates, chemical equilibrium, organic and biochemistry, and nuclear processes. Homework and laboratory work are an integral part of the program.

Course Title: Conceptual Physics (P)

Course Number: 4202-4203

Grade Level: 11-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: Integrated Math 1

Meets UC/CSU A-G category: “D” Laboratory Science

Course Description: Conceptual physics is an introductory, qualitative study of the central concepts of physics with an emphasis on understanding concepts. This course emphasizes fundamental concepts by explaining physics in a down-to-earth language and uses mathematical formulas as a guide to thinking.

Course Title: AP Biology (P)

Course Number: 4034-4035

Grade Level: 10-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: "B" grade or better in Biology and Chemistry or teacher recommendation

Meets UC/CSU A-G category: “D” Laboratory Science

Course Description:  AP Biology is a course designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. After showing themselves to be qualified on the AP Examination, some students, as college freshmen, are permitted to undertake upper-level courses in biology or to register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite. Other students may have fulfilled a basic requirement for a laboratory science course and will be able to undertake other courses to pursue their majors. AP Biology includes all the topics regularly covered in a college introductory biology course for majors. The types of labs done by AP students are equivalent to those done by college students.

Course Title: AP Chemistry (P)

Course Number: 4118-4119

Grade Level: 11-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: “B” or better in Chemistry and Integrated Math 3

Meets UC/CSU A-G category: “D” Laboratory Science

Course Description:  This is an advanced placement course designed to prepare the student for the AP Chemistry exam. The course covers the equivalent of one full year of college level General Chemistry, comparable to a first year course at a college or university. The course is a rigorous math-based course, with a strong laboratory component. It is intended for students who have demonstrated a willingness to commit considerable time to studying and completing assignments outside of class, and who have successfully completed a prior course in chemistry during high school. The course will develop the student's ability to incorporate mathematical skills in the solution of chemistry problems, both through the use of textbook problems and laboratory activities. Emphasis will be placed on developing the student's ability to solve problems through dimensional analysis and estimation. Students will be required to do extensive writing, and to keep a thorough and accurate ongoing laboratory notebook.

Course Title: AP Environmental Science (P)

Course Number: 4531-4532

Grade Level: 10-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a grade of "B" or higher. Completion and/or concurrent enrollment in Math 3.

Meets UC/CSU A-G category: “D” Laboratory Science

Course Description:  In the fall semester, students will study ecosystems, biodiversity, populations, Earth’s resources, the atmosphere and land and water use. In the spring semester, students will study energy resources and consumption, aquatic and terrestrial pollution, air pollution, human impact, global changes, environmental economics and ethics. Students will analyze and discuss current environmental issues in order to apply their learning to their own lives. In order to earn Uni-track credit, a payment and paperwork must be accurately submitted to CSU, Fresno by the appropriate deadline as determined by CSU, Fresno. Information on how to submit this paperwork and payment instructions will be provided in class and online. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all paperwork and payment is received on time. 

Course Title: Sports Therapy and Fitness (P) (Not Offered 2025-2026 School Year)

Course Number: 8709-8710, 8709AOS-8710

Grade Level: 11-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: Health and one year of Science

Meets UC/CSU A-G category: “G” Elective

Course Description  This two-semester course will provide participants with skills in athletic training, physical therapy, and fitness instruction. Background information in basic anatomy and physiology, nutrition, ethical and legal issues involved in medicine, and medical terminology will be provided. Participants will also receive training in First Aid and CPR.  Course content will include the care and prevention of athletic injuries, therapeutic treatments, and rehabilitation exercises. Students will learn the proper use of fitness equipment and design appropriate exercise programs. In addition, participants will develop valuable job search skills. 

Course Title: Sports Psychology (P) 

Course Number: 5314-5315

Grade Level: 11-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: Year/10 credits

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology 

Meets UC/CSU A-G category:  “G” Elective

Course Description:  Sports Psychology is designed to provide students with knowledge about psychological factors that affect performance in sport and exercise such as motivation, concentration, focus, confidence, burnout, goal setting, life balance, attitude, character development, leadership, coach/athlete relationships, anxiety and relaxation. Students will be introduced to mental skills that will enhance performance, make athletic participation more enjoyable, and learn skills that can be transferred to other aspects of their lives. Specific skills addressed in this class will include: how to set measurable goals and strategies to achieve them, visualization and imagery techniques, leadership, team building, and how to cope with injuries/loss/letdowns. This course would serve as a companion course to the senior level capstone course (Sports Medicine) for our STRONG Academy.