SCIENCE

Students are required to complete a minimum of one year of physical science and one year of life science for graduation.  Because acceptance to colleges is so competitive, students are encouraged to take the recommended level of three Science courses or more. 

A-G: All P, HP and AP science courses qualify for UC/CSU credit in area ‘d’.  ROP Medical Assisting does not.

Living Earth P (Biology) (9)   UC/CSU A-G Area D

This course is a one-year Next Generation Science Standards course which covers the major concepts in biology with some Earth and Space Science concepts woven in. Throughout this laboratory-oriented course, students will explore crosscutting concepts and use science and engineering practices and technology to investigate the structure and function of living organisms, inheritance and variation of traits, matter and energy in organisms and ecosystems, interdependent relationships in ecosystems, and natural selection and evolution. The course is a prerequisite for physiology, AP Biology and a graduation requirement. 

Living Earth P (Biology) SDAIE  (9-10) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in ELD 3 or 4

This SDAIE Biology course covers the same topics as Biology P, but includes support for students for whom English is a second language.  

Introduction to Science  (9-12) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisite:  Concurrent enrollment in ELD 2 or 3

This course will focus on students learning the skills that scientists use to study all areas of science.  Designed around the science practices from the NGSS standards.  The course will introduce students to all areas of science while developing English language skills appropriate for students in ELD 2 or 3.

Physiology P  (11-12) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology & Chemistry or Physics with a C or better

This course is designed to give students a detailed study into the various systems of the human body. The structures, functions, and the interrelationships of body parts are studied through lecture, laboratory work, engineering projects, inquiry, research, data collection, and presentations. The areas of study are: organization of the human body, cells and tissues, and the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, digestive, urinary, immune, lymphatic and reproductive systems. Laboratory experiences include organ dissection. This course is highly recommended for students interested in a health care profession.

Physiology HP  (11-12) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology & Chemistry or Physics with a B or better

This course is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in medicine or medical related fields. It is a fast-paced course that provides both an overview and highly detailed view of both the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the human body. Students will have to assimilate a vast amount of material from lecture, inquiry activities, the text, and laboratory experiments. Due to the honors designation, students will be required to complete independent work outside of class time. All students will be required to dissect as part of their grade. There are seven to ten dissections required in this course. Students will need to be able to think abstractly about the interrelation of chemistry and the effects on cellular processes at a detailed level. The ultimate goal is for students to understand the complex inter-relations of all body systems, how they affect overall health, and how modern medical interventions and practices are utilized.  

Chemistry in the Earth System P  (10-11) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 & Biology 1 with a C or higher

Chemistry is a laboratory-based class that fulfills UC/CSU requirements for a lab-based course in physical science. Chemistry in the Earth System addresses the performance expectations, disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices as defined by the Next Generation Science Standards. The topics covered in this course include Combustion, Thermochemistry, Atoms and Elements, Chemical Reactions, Climate Change, Equilibrium, and Ocean Acidification. 

Chemistry In the Earth System HP  (10-11) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Geometry HP or Algebra 2

Honors chemistry in the Earth system  is more challenging than Chemistry in the Earth system P in that a more mathematical approach is taken. Students should be adept at manipulating and rearranging first order algebraic equations and have some working knowledge of logarithms and exponents. Good laboratory practices are taught. This class is aimed at high performing students who are interested in a career in medicine, science or engineering and/or those who wish to pursue AP Science courses.

Physics P  (10-11) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites:  Completion of Algebra 1 with a C grade or higher.

Students will develop an understanding of basic physics concepts, academic terms, and mathematical equations related to motion, forces, energy, gravitation, electrostatics, electromagnetism, mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves. Students will also improve their practice of scientific skills, such as using mathematics, analyzing data, modeling, and evaluating sources of information.

Physical Science/ Earth SDAIE  (10-12) UC/CSU A-G Area D

This SDAIE Physical/Earth Science course covers the same topics as Physical/Earth Science P, but includes support for students for whom English is a second language.

AP Physics 1  (10-12) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites:  Completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 P/HP

This is a fast paced algebra and trigonometry based physics course that is equivalent to a first-semester college course. This course will prepare students for the AP Physics 1 exam in May and will cover mechanics (linear kinematics, work, energy, and power), and circular motion (rotational kinematics, torque and gravitation). 

AP Biology  (11-12) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology & Chemistry with a B or higher

This class is a fast-paced, introductory college-level course that builds on Biology P and prepares students for the AP Exam. The course introduces students to topics such as evolution, cellular energetics, information storage and transfer, and systems interactions. AP Biology is based on lecture, hands-on activities, and laboratory investigations. A significant amount of time outside of class will be required for homework completion and data analysis to be successful in this course. A score of 3 or higher on the AP Exam allows the high school student to obtain college credit.

AP Chemistry  (11-12) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: A or B in Chemistry P or HP and/or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 HP or Pre-Calculus

This class is designed to address all aspects of a first year college chemistry course. The student will take the AP Chemistry exam in May which may be accepted in lieu of a general chemistry course in college.  It is slightly narrower in focus than Chemistry HP, but with much more depth in exploring the topics.  

AP Environmental Science  (11-12) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and either Chemistry, or Physics

The AP Environmental Science course is interdisciplinary, involving the fields of ecology, biology, ocean and atmospheric science, climatology, chemistry, geology, physics, toxicology, economics, politics, ethics, and sociology. Because of the blend of subject matter, this course may be somewhat different from what students have encountered in other courses. Every day is different with labs, activities, discussions, current events, guest speakers, and occasionally field trips. In fact, we will spend at least 25% of our time together engaged in hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory experiences and fieldwork. The foundation of the course is ecological principles, and all other topics relate back to how the ecosystem is impacted. The course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory environmental science course, both in the wide range of topics studied, and in the depth and detail of the course materials. Many universities offer 3 to 6 undergraduate elective science credits if students score a 3 or higher on the AP exam in May.

AP Computer Science Principles  (11-12)   UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: Completion of Geometry

AP Computer Science Principles is a UC approved “D” lab science course.  No prior coding or programming experience is necessary.  Students will be introduced to the incremental and iterative process of writing computer code using the language of Snap, a Java-based visual coding language specifically designed to teach programming.  Throughout the year, students will build their skill in coding by working individually and collaboratively on coding projects and labs.  In addition, students will learn how computers and the internet work and how innovations in computer science are continually changing society, economy, and culture, and will demonstrate that knowledge through presentations, written reports, posters and videos.  

Intro to Programming for 3D Games and Simulations  (9-11) UC/CSU A-G Area D

Prerequisites: completion of Algebra 1 with a B or better

This is the first (or concentrator) course of the 2-year Game Academy.  It is hands-on, project based, and student centered.  In it students will create 9 game prototypes and build 2 computer based scientific simulations  Students will also create original 2 and 3D games while learning the basics of programming, game design, the scientific method, and the engineering design cycle.

For more information (including any updates since this information was posted) please check our Course Catalog