Science

Course Title: Biology (P)

Course Number: 4006/4007

Grade Level: 10-12

Elective/Required: Required

Length/Credits: One Year/10 credits

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: 4106/4107

Grade Level: 10 -12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One Year/ 10 credits

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: Physics (P)

Course Number: 4206/4207

Grade Level: 11 - 12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One year/10 credits

Course Description:

This is an introductory, algebra/geometry based physics course designed for the student who has strong mathematical and English skills. The major goal of the course will be to develop a depth of understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of physics, and develop the student’s mathematical skills of solving physics problems.

Course Title: Health

Course Number: 4302

Grade Level: 9

Elective/Required: Required

Length/Credits: One semester/5 credits

Course Description:

Health is a required course which addresses federal and state mandates and frameworks. Student will learn about personal health, communicable and noncommunicable 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: AP Biology

Course Number: 4034/4035

Grade Level: 10-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One Year/ 10 credits

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 textbooks used in this course are the same as those used by college biology majors. The types of labs done by AP students are equivalent to those done by college students.

AP Biology is a course designed to be taken by students after the successful completion (grade of "B" or better) of a first year course in high school biology and high school chemistry. The intent of this course is to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology.

The AP® Biology course and exam are organized around a few underlying principles called the Big Ideas, which encompass the core scientific principles, theories and processes governing living organisms and biological systems. For each of the big ideas, enduring understandings, which incorporate the core concepts that students should retain from the learning experience, are also identified.

Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.

Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

Course Title: AP Environmental Science

Course Number: 4531/4532

Grade Level: 11-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: 1 year/10 credits

Course Description:

This course is a laboratory science course that enables students to study more advanced topics in Environmental Science. The course provides 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 man-made), to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and preventing them. AP Environmental Science is interdisciplinary because it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. It emphasizes physical rather than biological concepts. The Internet will be used extensively for research and communication in the course. Guest speakers and field trips will be an integral part of the course as well. Every student will complete an independent project.

Course Title: Anatomy & Physiology (P)

Course Number: 4042/4043

Grade Level: 11 -12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One year/ 10 credits

Course Description:

This is a second year, rigorous course for the college preparatory student who wishes to deepen their understanding of the principles of biology that underlie the function of the human body. The focus of the course is to know how anatomical structures relate to the functioning of the organism as a whole. This course is designed for students who may be interested in a career in the health related fields. Homework and laboratory work are a critical component of the curriculum.

Course Title: Physical Earth Science (P)

Course Number: 4406/4407

Grade Level: 9-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One year/10 credits

Course Description:

Physical Earth Science plays a unique and essential role in today's rapidly changing world. A knowledge of the Earth Sciences is important because most human activities involve interaction with the structures, cycles and history of this planet. Students who understand the processes that have created, changed and currently maintain systems of the Earth will be better able to make informed, responsible decisions concerning both their local environment and the global environment at large. Physical Earth Science is designed to be a course that introduces the student to the history and structure of the Earth. Described by NASA as "Earth System Science," this course will explore the Solid Earth (tectonics, magnetism, and geologic history), and the Fluid and Biologic Earth (water cycle and climate, radiation, ocean currents, biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystems/biomes). Throughout the course students will consider the unique qualities of planets of the solar system. The observational aspects of science will be emphasized. Through laboratory investigations and activities students will understand how observed evidence develops into theoretical explanations.

Course Title: AP Chemistry (P)

Course Number: 4118/4119

Grade Level: 11-12

Elective/Required: Elective

Length/Credits: One year/10 credits

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. Since the AP exam no longer allows the use of calculators on the multiple choice section, significant 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.