Science

Biology - College Prep

Credits: 10 credits total (5 credits per quarter)

Grade 9

Meets UC/CSU Requirements: Area "D"

Biology is the first science course covering the Next Generation Science Standards for the Living Earth.  It fulfills the lab science requirement for a 4 year university. We will use an inquiry-based method to explore Ecology, Cells, Genetics, Evolution and human impact on the natural world.

Biology EL - College Prep

Credits: 10 credits total (5 credits per quarter)

Grade 9

Prerequisites: ELPAC Scores

Meets UC/CSU Requirements: Area "D"

This course is intended for Students Learning English (ELL). The curriculum mirrors that of Biology with the teacher providing verbal and written scaffolding for language support.

Chemistry - College Prep

Credits: 10 credits total (5 credits per quarter)

Grade 10-11

Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Biology

Meets UC/CSU Requirements: Area "D"

Chemistry is a college-preparatory course designed for students who have successfully completed Biology. This course is based on the Next Generation Science Standards for Chemistry in the Earth System which will include the study of atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonds, conservation of matter, stoichiometry, gas laws and nuclear chemistry.

Environmental Science - College Prep

Credits: 10 credits total (5 credits per quarter)

Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: Passing Grade in Biology

Meets UC/CSU Requirements: Area "D"

Environmental Science is a course that is designed to introduce students to major ecological concepts and the environmental problems that affect the world in which we live. We will take a problem-solving approach as we work to understand issues such as endangered species, sustainability, air and water pollution, climate change, and waste management. This class will promote awareness and understanding of practical everyday problems that affect our lives. It also will relate important environmental issues to the lives of students and their families.

Physics - College Prep

Credits: 10 credits total (5 credits per quarter)

Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: None

Meets UC/CSU Requirements: Area "D"

Physics is a college-preparatory course designed for students who have completed Biology and Chemistry. This course is based on the California Science Content Standards which will include the study of motion, forces, momentum, energy, heat, thermodynamics, waves, electricity and magnetism.

Physiology - College Prep

Credits: 10 credits total (5 credits per quarter)

Grades 11 - 12

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a "C" or Higher

Meets UC/CSU Requirements: Area "D"

Physiology is a college-preparatory course designed for students who have successfully completed Biology and Chemistry with a C or higher. It meets the CSU/UC A-G requirement.  This course covers the anatomy and physiology of the human body.  An emphasis on structure, function and homeostasis is kept throughout the course as we study cells, tissues and each body system.

Advanced Biology is a Full Year Course

1 semester of Advanced Biology followed by Advanced Placement Biology

Advanced Biology - College Prep

Credits: 10 credits total (5 credits per quarter)

Grades 11-12

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a "C" or Higher

Meets UC/CSU Requirements: Area "D"

This class is required for all students planning to take AP Biology. The curriculum for AP Biology is simply too large to be accommodated in one semester. The pre AP biology course will introduce students to the use of statistics in science, the scientific writing process as well as a review of inorganic and organic chemistry before going deeper into cell biology, cell energy and communication, ending with the cell cycle.

Advanced Placement Biology - College Prep

Credits: 10 credits total (5 credits per quarter)

Grades 11-12

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a "C" or Higher

Meets UC/CSU Requirements: Area "D"

AP Biology is a college-preparatory course that is designed to give students the opportunity to complete college level studies in Biology while still in high school.  Successful completion and scoring on the AP Exam may earn a student college credit. The course prepares students for the AP exam and students are strongly encouraged to take the exam. Summer work may be a requirement of this course.

Psychology - College Prep

Credits: 10 credits total (5 credits per quarter)

Grades 9 - 12

Meets UC/CSU Requirements: Area "G"

Psychology is the study of human behavior. This UC-approved college prep elective will cover topics such as the biological basis of behavior, perception, altered states of consciousness, learning, memory, social psychology and how we interact with others, personality, stress management, psychological disorders and abnormal psychology and treatment and therapy.