• DNASCIENCE COURSES

    Approved Science Courses meet the (D) requirement for admission to the UC/CSU system. All Science courses are aligned to the California Science Content Standards.

     

    COLLEGE PREPARATORY BIOLOGY (CP Biology)

    Grade Level: 9-12
    Course # 3025
    Prerequisite: None
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets UC/CSU laboratory and District life science graduation requirement. This course satisfies the laboratory science requirement for entrance into most colleges. The emphasis of study will be on biological concepts and processes as they apply to various biological systems. Students will gain experience in the use of various scientific instruments, tools, and measuring devices as well as the proper techniques in their use. A minimum of 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory experiences.

     

    EARTH SCIENCE

    Grade Level: 10-12
    Course # 3500
    Prerequisite: None
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets District physical science graduation requirements. This course fulfills UC/CSU requirements for elective credit. This course is designed to allow students to examine the Earth’s dynamic geochemical processes as well as exploring Earth’s relationship to the solar system and beyond. Students will learn topics such as geology, oceanography, climatology, and astronomy from a dynamic perspective which focuses on the processes that have and continue to shape our Earth. In addition to our broader perspective, students will learn about California’s fascinating geologic history. A minimum of 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory experiences.

     

    COLLEGE PREPARATORY CHEMISTRY (CP Chemistry)

    Grade Level: 10-12
    Course #3525
    Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Math 2 with a prior A or B in Math 1 required. 
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets UC/CSU laboratory and District physical science graduation requirements. This course deals with the quantitative and qualitative study of elements, compounds and molecules. Students will study the basic laws of chemistry, chemical bonds, chemical reactions, chemical equations and stoichiometry, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry and acid-base theories. A minimum of 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory experiences.

    ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY

    Grade Level: 11-12
    Course # 3528
    Prerequisite: Grade B or better in Biology and Chemistry 
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets UC/CSU laboratory and District physical science graduation requirements. This course deals with the quantitative and qualitative study of elements, compounds and molecules. Students will study the basic laws of chemistry, chemical bonds, chemical reactions, chemical equations and stoichiometry, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, thermo chemistry, nuclear chemistry, organic chemistry, electrochemistry and acid-base theories. A minimum of 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory experiences.
     
    *All Students are expected to take the AP/IB test. If students choose not to test, an alternate assessment will be assigned by the teacher.

     

    ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

    Grade Level: 10- 12
    Course # 3040
    Prerequisite: Grade B or better in CP Biology
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets UC/CSU laboratory and District life science graduation requirements. This course is designed to give students an understanding of the structure and function of the systems of the human body and their interrelationships. Students will examine the basic framework of the human body and study of the following systems: histology, skeletal, muscular, digestive, cardiovascular and nervous system. A minimum of 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory experiences

     

    IB SPORTS, EXERCISE, AND HEALTH SCIENCE SL

    Grade Level: 11-12
    Course # 2882
    Prerequisite:   C or better in Chemistry 
    Length: Year 

     This course meets the UC/CSU laboratory (D) and District graduation requirements for 3rd year science. Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) is an experimental science that combines academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigative skills that satisfies the lab science D elective for the UC/CSU requirements. It is an applied science course with aspects of biological and physical science being studied in the specific context of sports, exercise and health. Moreover, the subject matter goes beyond the traditional science subjects to offer a deeper understanding of the issues related to sports, exercise and health in the 21st century. Apart from being worthy of study in its own right, SEHS is a good preparation for courses in higher or further education related to sports fitness and health, and serves as useful preparation for employment in sports and leisure industries. The course incorporates the traditional disciplines of anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition, which are studied in the context of sports, exercise and health. Students will cover a range of core and option topics, and carry out practical (experimental) investigations in both laboratory and field settings. This will provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and understanding necessary to apply scientific principles and critically analyze human performance. Where relevant, the course will address issues of international dimension and ethics by considering sports, exercise and health relative to the individual and in a global context. IB Diploma students have priority enrollment in this class. Other students may enroll if space permits.

     

    *All Students are expected to take the AP/IB test. If students choose not to test, an alternate assessment will be assigned by the teacher. 

    COLLEGE PREPARATORY PHYSICS (CP Physics)

    Grade Level: 11-12
    Course # 3530
    Prerequisite: Grade C or better in Algebra II and Chemistry
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets UC/CSU laboratory and District graduation physical science or elective credit requirements. This course deals with the study of mechanics, heat, light, sound, electromagnetism, and waves. This is a challenging course with an emphasis on problem solving and requires the student to have strong math skills. A minimum of 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory experiences.

     

    ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS

    Grade Level: 11-12
    Course # 3531
    Prerequisite: Grade B or better in Chemistry 
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets UC/CSU laboratory and District physical science graduation requirements. Advanced Placement Physics is a rigorous course designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory Physics course usually taken by non-calculus based Physics majors. The focus is to provide students with a broad conceptual background in Physics and necessary problem solving skills to apply those concepts in practical situations. This course is a laboratory-based course with an emphasis on practical hands on experience. This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP Physics examination. Colleges may give AP and/or college credit based on the result of the examination. A minimum of 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory experiences.
     
    *All Students are expected to take the AP/IB test. If students choose not to test, an alternate assessment will be assigned by the teacher.

     

    IB PHYSICS SL

    Grade Level: 11-12
    Course # 3532
    Prerequisite: C or better in Chemistry 
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets UC/CSU and district graduation requirements as a category D physical laboratory science. This is the single year physics course that will co-exist within the CP Physics class. Students will continue to explore both theoretical ideas and experimental results in the IB Physics SL course, which will allow students to develop traditional practical skills and techniques and increase their abilities in the use of mathematics. In addition to the core concepts, students will investigate how engineering practices utilize different aspects of physics. All students will participate in practical activities, which provide students with the opportunity to design investigations, collect data, develop manipulative skills, analyze results, collaborate with peers and evaluate and communicate their findings.
     
    *All Students are expected to take the AP/IB test. If students choose not to test, an alternate assessment will be assigned by the teacher. 

     

    IB PHYSICS HL 2

    Grade Level: 12
    Course # 3536
    Prerequisite:  Completion of CP Physics or AP Physics 
    Length: Year (second year of 2)
     
    This course meets UC/CSU and district graduation requirements as a category D physical laboratory science. This is the second year of a two-year physics sequence. Students will continue to explore both theoretical ideas and experimental results in the IB Physics HL course, which will allow students to develop traditional practical skills and techniques and increase their abilities in the use of mathematics. In addition to the core concepts explored in the first year of the course, students will investigate the following: wave phenomena, fields, electromagnetic induction, and quantum nuclear physics. The focus on engineering physics will be expanded in the second year. All students will participate in practical activities, which provide students with the opportunity to design investigations, collect data, develop manipulative skills, analyze results, collaborate with peers and evaluate and communicate their findings.
     
    *All students are expected to take the IB/ AP test. If students choose not to test, an alternative assessment will be assigned by the teacher
     

     

    ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY

    Grade Level: 11-12
    Course # 3031
    Prerequisite: Grade B or better in Biology and Chemistry
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets UC/CSU laboratory and District graduation requirements for life science. Advanced Placement Biology is a rigorous course designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory Biology course usually taken by Biology majors in their first year of college. The aim of the 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 course is designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Biology examination Colleges may give advanced placement and/ or college credit based on the result of the examination. A minimum of 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory experiences.
     
    *All Students are expected to take the AP/IB test. If students choose not to test, an alternate assessment will be assigned by the teacher.
     

    MARINE BIOLOGY

    Grade Level: 11-12
    Course # 3010
    Prerequisite: None
    Length: Year
     
    This course meets UC/CSU elective (G) and District life science graduation requirements. Marine Biology is a laboratory based science elective studying our world's oceans and life within them. The first semester of the course focuses on oceanography, the study of the properties and processes that define the ocean realm. The second semester focuses on marine plant and animal life, from the smallest one cell organisms to the largest mammals on earth. A minimum of 20% of class time will be spent on laboratory experiences.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    *Student’s fees are allowable for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma examinations for college credit, so long as (1) taking the exam is not a course requirement; (2) the exam results have no impact on a pupil’s grade or credit in a course; and (3) eligible economically disadvantaged high school pupils who receive school district funding towards the exam fee shall pay $5.00 of the fee. (EC sections 52240 -52244; 52920-52922.)
     
     
Last Modified on August 2, 2022