• SCIENCE COURSES

    ANIMAL BIOLOGY 1 (P)

    • This one-year animal biology course will provide students a strong foundation in the fundamentals of biology and will also emphasize classification with a focus on comparative anatomy/physiology between organisms within the Animal Kingdom. This course will cover the Biological/Life Science standards outlined in the California Science Content Standards as well as the Life Science Next Generation Standards. Labs will be emphasized to help develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Students wishing to apply to a UC/CSU must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in this course to meet the “d” laboratory science requirement in the category of biological science. The pre-requisite for this class will be Algebra 1 or Integrated Math 1 or higher. 

    BIOLOGY 1 (P)

    • This course is based on the California State Standards for Biology. To provide a well-rounded background in science, this course gives insight into the living world. The course provides demonstrations and experiments with all forms of life from the smallest, single-celled organism to humans, their health, heredity, reproduction and future. This is a lab science class which fulfills the University of California lab science college entrance requirement.

    BIOLOGY 1 ACCELERATED (P)

    • Prerequisite(s): The course is recommended for advanced students with ELA CST performance level of 4 or 5.
    • The course is a one-year lecture/laboratory course emphasizing life science. The course provides demonstrations and experiments with all forms of life from the microscopic to the multicellular. Topics include cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution and physiology. The course is designed to instill a knowledge of the facts, principles and processes of biology. This is a lab science class which fulfills the University of California lab science college entrance requirement. Instruction is at a much faster pace and exams test for much more in-depth knowledge.

    BIOLOGY AP (P)

    • Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Biology 1P. Chemistry 1P recommended.
    • This is a one-year lecture/laboratory course, which emphasizes the investigative approach to the study of living systems, their chemistry, structure, function, genetics, origins, ecology and behavior. The course will involve special projects and research.
    • The course is designed to instill a knowledge of the facts, principles and processes of biology. Biology will help the student to become more aware of the implications and application of science and technology so that he or she may learn to live more efficiently; to develop increased scientific literacy, and meet the Biology Science Content Standards for California public schools. This course uses a college text. Students are required to take the AP exam given in the spring semester. This is a lab science course, which meets the University of California lab science requirement.

    CHEMISTRY 1 (P)

    • Prerequisite(s): Grade of “C” in Integrated Math 1(P)
    • Laboratory experience will be combined with class work in order to study materials and the principles by which materials may undergo change. The students will be expected to do problem solving based on scientific principles. The major topics include: the organization and use of the Periodic Table; conservation of matter; theory of atoms; principles of chemical reactions; study of liquids, solids and gases; kinetic theory; solutions, solubility and ions; chemical bonding; equilibrium and energy effects in chemical reactions; and acids, bases and salts. Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry are introduced as well. This class fulfills the University of California lab science requirement and covers the California Content Standards for Chemistry. A scientific calculator is recommended.

    CHEMISTRY 1 HONORS (P)

    • Prerequisite(s): Grade of “B” or higher in previous 10 units of science and high school teacher’s recommendation is suggested. Grade of “B” or higher in Integrated Math 1(P) is suggested.
    • This one-year lecture/laboratory course will investigate the composition of materials and the principles of change. The topics will include those of the Chemistry 1 (P) course. A college text may be used. Depth of understanding and independent thinking are emphasized. This course fulfills the University of California laboratory science requirement. A scientific calculator is recommended.

    CHEMISTRY AP (P)

    • Prerequisite(s): Grade of “C” in both semesters of a high school chemistry course Students should be taking Integrated Math II (P) or an equivalent course concurrently with AP Chemistry. A scientific calculator is recommended.
    • This course provides students with a foundation to support future advanced course work in chemistry. Through inquiry-based learning, students develop critical thinking and reasoning skills. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry and science practices as they explore topics including: Atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics and equilibrium. This course requires extensive laboratory work including a minimum of 16 hands-on investigations, as least six of which are inquiry based. These college level laboratory investigations may require more than allotted single high school class period; therefore, time outside of class may be required to complete come labs. This course fulfills the University of California lab science requirement.

    CONCEPTUAL PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 (P)

    • This one-year introductory Conceptual Physical Science course offers a more conceptual approach to the study of physical science covering physics, earth and chemistry standards outlined in the California Science Content Standards as well as the physics, earth and chemistry standards included in the Next Generation Science Standards.   Science equation calculations will be taught with more guidance for the students, but the main focus will be on how the variables interact with each other in the equation.   Labs will be emphasized to help develop critical thinking and problems solving skills.  Students wishing to apply to UC/CSU must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in this course to meet P elective credit.

    PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 (P)

    • This is a one-year introductory physical science course covering physics, earth and chemistry standards outlined in the California Science Content Standards as well as the physics, earth and chemistry standards included in the Science & Engineering Common Core Next Generation Standards. In addition to providing students a strong foundation in the fundamentals of physical science, this course, will also emphasize measurements, unit analysis, data analysis and computational skills necessary for students to be successful in subsequent chemistry and physics courses. Labs will be emphasized to help develop critical thinking and problems solving skills. Students wishing to apply to UC/CSU must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in this course to meet P elective credit.

    PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1 ACCELERATED (P)

    • Prerequisite(s): It is recommended that advanced freshmen students take this course. They may do so with the recommendation of the 8th grade science teacher and approval of the Assistant Principal for Student Services. Criteria shall include 9th grade reading ability and enrollment in Integrated Math 1(P) or higher at the 9th grade level. The previous math grade should be a “B” or better. A scientific calculator is required.
    • The purpose of this course is to give all students a beginning knowledge of physics, earth science and chemistry and to offer some insight into the means by which scientific knowledge is acquired. Topics of study include the California Physical Science Standards, Earth’s Place in the Universe, Dynamic Earth Processes, Chemical Bonds, Conservation of Matter, Chemical Thermodynamics, Reaction Rates, and Investigation and Experimentation. The student will learn these concepts by experimentation and problem solving techniques. The student must complete both semesters in order to receive credit for this course.

    PHYSICS 1 (P)

    • Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of previous science course. Integrated Math II (P) recommended.
    • Physics is an elective course offered to all that meet the prerequisite. The course will be useful to those who plan to study any science or engineering. The course will include studies of measurement, forces and machines, sound, light, electricity and electronics, nuclear physics, and heat and wave mechanics. This course fulfills the University of California lab science requirement in Physical Science. A scientific or graphing calculator is recommended.

    PHYSIOLOGY (P)

    • Prerequisite(s): Grade of “C” or higher in both semesters of Biology 1P or a grade of “B.” Grade of “C” or higher in Chemistry, or Chemistry Honors is recommended.
    • Physiology is for upper division students in grades 11 or 12 that meet the prerequisites. The human body and its functions are studied from the anatomical and physiological aspects through use of animal dissection, lecture, discussion, research, films, and charts. Fetal pigs, cats, and body parts may be dissected. This is a lab science course which fulfills the requirements of the University of California for college applications.