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Science
Students are required to pass 30 credits of Science and 5 credits of Health for high school graduation. At least one of the
science classes must be a physical science and one a life science. For entrance to the University of California and California
State University systems, students are required to complete a minimum of two ‘d’ lab sciences. Taking additional ‘d’ science
courses will make a student’s college application more competitive, particularly for students interested in science,
medicine, or engineering.
Students are required to pass 30 credits of Science and 5 credits of Health for high school graduation. At least one of the
science classes must be a physical science and one a life science. For entrance to the University of California and California
State University systems, students are required to complete a minimum of two ‘d’ lab sciences. Taking additional ‘d’ science
courses will make a student’s college application more competitive, particularly for students interested in science,
medicine, or engineering.
Health Semester, 5 Credits
Grade 9
The class is designed to promote good health and allow students to make responsible health decisions. Students are engaged in activities that foster the development of each individual’s optimal physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Individual growth, exercise, nutrition, drugs, safety, disease, and family life (including sex, birth control, pregnancy, and STDs) are studied. This course
leads to the mastery of the California State Health Standards. Lab donations accepted. Prerequisite: None.
Grade 9
The class is designed to promote good health and allow students to make responsible health decisions. Students are engaged in activities that foster the development of each individual’s optimal physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Individual growth, exercise, nutrition, drugs, safety, disease, and family life (including sex, birth control, pregnancy, and STDs) are studied. This course
leads to the mastery of the California State Health Standards. Lab donations accepted. Prerequisite: None.
The Living Earth Year, 10 Credits
(Biology)
Grade 9
This laboratory-based course will explore standard biological and earth science concepts within the context of the Science and Engineering Practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards. Students will apply their knowledge to various real-world phenomena such as seasonal greening and ecospheres, superbugs, and ocean acidification or local invasive species and build an
understanding of life and how life changes over time in response to a changing environment. Students will view
these phenomena through the lenses of the Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), such as energy and matter (relationships in ecosystems, earth’s atmosphere) or structure and function (cells, mitosis and cancer, or evidence for evolution). Lab donations accepted. Prerequisite: None. UC/CSU (d)
(Biology)
Grade 9
This laboratory-based course will explore standard biological and earth science concepts within the context of the Science and Engineering Practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards. Students will apply their knowledge to various real-world phenomena such as seasonal greening and ecospheres, superbugs, and ocean acidification or local invasive species and build an
understanding of life and how life changes over time in response to a changing environment. Students will view
these phenomena through the lenses of the Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), such as energy and matter (relationships in ecosystems, earth’s atmosphere) or structure and function (cells, mitosis and cancer, or evidence for evolution). Lab donations accepted. Prerequisite: None. UC/CSU (d)
Chemistry in the Earth System Year, 10 Credits
(Chemistry)
Grade 10
This laboratory and inquiry based course will emphasize the students' ability to demonstrate their knowledge of
chemistry within the context of the Science and Engineering Practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards. This course specifically examines the role of chemical properties and processes in driving the Earth system. Students will come to better understand the matter in their lives by studying topics such as thermochemistry and physical changes, the periodic table, atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, bonding, chemical reactions, intermolecular forces, and stoichiometry.
(Chemistry)
Grade 10
This laboratory and inquiry based course will emphasize the students' ability to demonstrate their knowledge of
chemistry within the context of the Science and Engineering Practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards. This course specifically examines the role of chemical properties and processes in driving the Earth system. Students will come to better understand the matter in their lives by studying topics such as thermochemistry and physical changes, the periodic table, atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, bonding, chemical reactions, intermolecular forces, and stoichiometry.
Physics in the Universe Year, 10 Credits
Grade 11
Physics in the Universe is a laboratory and inquiry based course emphasizing the students' ability to demonstrate their knowledge of physics within the context of the Science and Engineering Practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards. Students build an understanding of major Physics concepts through the lens of Earth and Space Science phenomena. In this course, students will engage in investigation and experimentation to explore topics such as light and sound waves, electricity and magnetism, motion and forces, energy, and momentum. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 1/Algebra 1. UC/CSU (d)
Grade 11
Physics in the Universe is a laboratory and inquiry based course emphasizing the students' ability to demonstrate their knowledge of physics within the context of the Science and Engineering Practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards. Students build an understanding of major Physics concepts through the lens of Earth and Space Science phenomena. In this course, students will engage in investigation and experimentation to explore topics such as light and sound waves, electricity and magnetism, motion and forces, energy, and momentum. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 1/Algebra 1. UC/CSU (d)
Anatomy and Physiology Year, 10 Credits
Grade 11-12
Students receive a comprehensive systematic study of the structure and function of the human body. Specifically, students learn about the specialized structures and associated functions of the different cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body. It is recommended for those planning to enter the health fields (dentistry, medicine, and nursing). Lab donations accepted. Prerequisite: Recommended “C” or better in
Biology. UC/CSU (d)
Grade 11-12
Students receive a comprehensive systematic study of the structure and function of the human body. Specifically, students learn about the specialized structures and associated functions of the different cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body. It is recommended for those planning to enter the health fields (dentistry, medicine, and nursing). Lab donations accepted. Prerequisite: Recommended “C” or better in
Biology. UC/CSU (d)
AP Biology Year, 10 Credits
Grade 11-12
AP Biology is equivalent to an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of life sciences through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following big ideas that underlie all of Biology: evolution, information, interactions, and energy. Students can expect to spend most of their time in class engaging in scientific practices such as designing
investigations, analyzing data, and communicating their results to peers. This class is especially recommended for
those who plan to enter into science research or a health profession (medicine, dentistry, nursing). All students are expected to take the AP Biology exam. Prerequisite: “B” or better in both Biology and Chemistry or the recommendation of the Biology teacher, and “B” or better in Math 1/Algebra 1. Concurrent enrollment in Math 3 or higher recommended. UC/CSU (d)
Grade 11-12
AP Biology is equivalent to an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of life sciences through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following big ideas that underlie all of Biology: evolution, information, interactions, and energy. Students can expect to spend most of their time in class engaging in scientific practices such as designing
investigations, analyzing data, and communicating their results to peers. This class is especially recommended for
those who plan to enter into science research or a health profession (medicine, dentistry, nursing). All students are expected to take the AP Biology exam. Prerequisite: “B” or better in both Biology and Chemistry or the recommendation of the Biology teacher, and “B” or better in Math 1/Algebra 1. Concurrent enrollment in Math 3 or higher recommended. UC/CSU (d)
AP Chemistry Year, 10 Credits
Grade 11-12
AP Chemistry is equivalent to an introductory college level chemistry course. Students in this course will greatly build on the conceptual understanding attained in general chemistry. They will build competence in dealing with advanced, complex chemical phenomena. The course will contribute to the development of the students’ abilities to think clearly and to express their ideas orally and in written form with clarity and logic. Mastery of fundamental chemistry concepts is essential for an understanding of the advanced principles and concepts covered in AP Chemistry. Students spend a great deal of time working on labs, and in groups to build understanding of concepts through collaboration and communication. All students are expected to take the AP Chemistry exam. Prerequisite: “B” or better in both Biology and Chemistry or the recommendation of the Chemistry teacher, and “B” or better in Math 2 or concurrent enrollment in Math 3 or higher. UC/CSU (d)
Grade 11-12
AP Chemistry is equivalent to an introductory college level chemistry course. Students in this course will greatly build on the conceptual understanding attained in general chemistry. They will build competence in dealing with advanced, complex chemical phenomena. The course will contribute to the development of the students’ abilities to think clearly and to express their ideas orally and in written form with clarity and logic. Mastery of fundamental chemistry concepts is essential for an understanding of the advanced principles and concepts covered in AP Chemistry. Students spend a great deal of time working on labs, and in groups to build understanding of concepts through collaboration and communication. All students are expected to take the AP Chemistry exam. Prerequisite: “B” or better in both Biology and Chemistry or the recommendation of the Chemistry teacher, and “B” or better in Math 2 or concurrent enrollment in Math 3 or higher. UC/CSU (d)
AP Physics 1 Year, 10 Credits
Grade 11-12
AP Physics is a college-level course, taken as an alternative to our Physics in the Universe course. AP Physics 1 is equivalent to a first semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum), work, energy, and power, mechanical waves and sound, and introduces electric circuits. Students spend a great deal of time working on labs, and in groups to build understanding of concepts through
collaboration and communication. All students are expected to take the AP Physics exam. Prerequisite: “B”
or better in Math 2. Concurrent enrollment in Math 3 or higher recommended. UC/CSU (d)
Grade 11-12
AP Physics is a college-level course, taken as an alternative to our Physics in the Universe course. AP Physics 1 is equivalent to a first semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum), work, energy, and power, mechanical waves and sound, and introduces electric circuits. Students spend a great deal of time working on labs, and in groups to build understanding of concepts through
collaboration and communication. All students are expected to take the AP Physics exam. Prerequisite: “B”
or better in Math 2. Concurrent enrollment in Math 3 or higher recommended. UC/CSU (d)
Patterns of Disease Semester, 5 Credits
Grade 11-12
Students in this course will engage in a systematic study of the patterns and processes that have influenced the spread and characteristics of diseases. The influence of geography, cultural behaviors, environmental conditions, globalization, and demographics will all be extensively examined. Students will analyze the human response and the consequences of diseases at the local, national, and international levels. This class may be taken to fulfill the Health requirement. Lab donations accepted.
Prerequisite: None.
Grade 11-12
Students in this course will engage in a systematic study of the patterns and processes that have influenced the spread and characteristics of diseases. The influence of geography, cultural behaviors, environmental conditions, globalization, and demographics will all be extensively examined. Students will analyze the human response and the consequences of diseases at the local, national, and international levels. This class may be taken to fulfill the Health requirement. Lab donations accepted.
Prerequisite: None.