Science Department
Science Sequence
Course Descriptions
9th Grade Course
The Living Earth (Biology)
The Living Earth is a lab course designed to help students understand the nature of life and life processes. The main topics include nature and processes of science, ecology, cellular biology, classification of life, evolution, chemistry of life, reproduction and development, heredity, behavior, anatomy, and physiology of plants and animals. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and problem solving.
- Graduation Credit: Biological Science
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d)
10th Grade Courses
Chemistry in the Earth Systems
In this course, students study the substances that make up our world, and the changes that take place to those substances as they react and combine with each other. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical formulas, bonding, and periodic law, properties of matter, gas laws, thermochemistry, acid-base concept, equilibrium, chemical bonding, oxidation/reduction, electrochemistry, stoichiometry, and introduction to organic chemistry. Chemistry in the Earth system fulfills the college lab science entrance requirement if taken in the tenth grade or beyond. Students selecting this course must have a strong foundation in algebra and English.
- Graduation Credit: Chemistry
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d)
Pre-AP Chemistry
The Pre-AP Chemistry course emphasizes the integration of content with science practices. These practices are powerful reasoning tools that support students in analyzing the natural world around them. This course focuses on the foundational chemistry knowledge and skills that matter most for college and career readiness. As students engage in the grade-level chemistry content, they utilize scientific reasoning skills needed to analyze the natural world—and to succeed in future science and social science courses in high school and college. The course highlights an attention to modeling, the strategic use of mathematics, and has an emphasis on analytical reading and writing.
- Graduation Credit: Chemistry
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d)
11th Grade Courses
Physics in the Universe
This is a laboratory science course recommended for all college preparatory students. Physics presents the basic laws and relationships governing physical phenomena, particularly the transformation and interactions of matter and energy. Topics include mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics.
- Graduation Credit: Physics
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d)
AP Physics 1
Physics 1, Advanced Placement, is part of the College Board’s redesign of Physics B, Advanced Placement, and currently an approved AP course in our district. The Physics 1, Advanced Placement course 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, power, and mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits.
- Grade Level: 11-12
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology-The Living Earth and Chemistry in the Earth System.
- Co-requisite: Enrollment in IM3 or higher math.
- Graduation Credit: Physics
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d)
- UC/CSU: Weighted
AP Physics 2
Physics 2, Advanced Placement, is the second course in the College Board’s redesigned Algebra based introductory college level physics course. It follows the currently approved AP Physics 1 course. Students explore the principles of fluids, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, advanced electrical circuits, physical and geometric optics, and a variety of modern physics topics such as quantum mechanics, atomic physics and nuclear physics. Continuing the focus on inquiry-based learning fostered in AP Physics 1, students will continue to develop their scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills.
- Grade Levels: 11-12
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of The Living Earth, Chemistry in the Earth System, and Physics of the Universe, or concurrent enrollment in the third course of the three-year series.
- Co-Requisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in IM3 Stem or higher math.
- Graduation Credit: Physics
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d)
- UC/CSU: Weighted
Science Electives (11th & 12th Grade)
Astronomy
This course covers early astronomy to modern astronomy, including the motions of the planets, stars, and galaxies. It also covers planet formations and the life cycles of the stars. Students perform lab activities and do projects based on the content. Students have access to the observatory to accomplish course requirements.
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of The Living Earth, Chemistry in School: Prospect the Earth System, and Physics of the Universe, or concurrent enrollment in the third course of the three-year series.
- Co-requisite: Enrolled in IM2 or higher math.
- Grade Levels: 11-12
- Graduation Credit: College Prep Elective
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science(d), Electives(g)
Human Anatomy & Physiology
In this laboratory life science course, students study the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Students also develop an understanding of the structure, function, and relationships of body systems. Topics include cell physiology and the structural and functional organization of the human body systems: skeletal and muscular systems, nervous system and senses, circulatory system, respiratory system, endocrine system, integumentary system, digestive system and the reproductive system. The study of other organisms is often included to complement student understanding of the human body. Laboratory investigations include dissection, microscopic observation, and testing capabilities of the various body systems.
- Grade Level: 11-12
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of The Living Earth, Chemistry in the Earth System, and Physics of the Universe, or concurrent enrollment in the third course of the three-year series.
- Graduation Credit: College Prep Elective
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science(d), College Prep Elective (g)
AP Science Courses (11th & 12th Grade)
AP Biology
The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a two semester college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. After showing themselves to be qualified on the AP Exam, some students, in their first year of college, are permitted to take upper-level courses in biology or register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite. Other students may have fulfilled a basic requirement for a laboratory science course and will be able to undertake other courses to pursue their majors. The two main goals of The Living Earth AP course are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and an appreciation of science as a process. The ongoing knowledge explosion in biology makes these goals even more challenging.
- Grade Level: 11-12
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of The Living Earth, Chemistry in the Earth System, and Physics of the Universe, or concurrent enrollment in the third course of the three-year series.
- Graduation Credit: Biological Science
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d); College Prep Elective (g)
- UC/CSU: Weighted
AP Chemistry
The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. For some students, this course enables them to undertake, in their first year, second-year work in the chemistry sequence at their institution or to register in courses in other fields where general Chemistry is required.
- Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Chemistry in the Earth is required, completion or concurrent enrollment in IM3 or higher math. - Graduation Credit: Chemistry; College Prep Elective
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d); College Prep Elective (g)
- UC/CSU: Weighted
AP Physics 1
Physics 1, Advanced Placement, is part of the College Board’s redesign of Physics B, Advanced Placement, and currently an approved AP course in our district. The Physics 1, Advanced Placement course 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, power, and mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits.
- Grade Level: 11-12
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology-The Living Earth and Chemistry in the Earth System.
- Co-requisite: Enrollment in IM3 or higher math.
- Graduation Credit: Physics
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d)
- UC/CSU: Weighted
AP Physics 2
Physics 2, Advanced Placement, is the second course in the College Board’s redesigned Algebra based introductory college level physics course. It follows the currently approved AP Physics 1 course. Students explore the principles of fluids, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, advanced electrical circuits, physical and geometric optics, and a variety of modern physics topics such as quantum mechanics, atomic physics and nuclear physics. Continuing the focus on inquiry-based learning fostered in AP Physics 1, students will continue to develop their scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills.
- Grade Levels: 11-12
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of The Living Earth, Chemistry in the Earth System, and Physics of the Universe, or concurrent enrollment in the third course of the three-year series.
- Co-Requisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in IM3 Stem or higher math.
- Graduation Credit: Physics
- UC/CSU Area: Lab Science (d)
- UC/CSU: Weighted
Staff
