Science Department Courses
Advanced Physical Science AB / Grade 11–12
The major emphasis of this course is to develop an awareness of the nature of the physical environment and the natural laws of the universe. Stresses the skills used in critical thinking and practical aspects of science. Designed for students who wish to undertake a general study of the physical sciences. Recommended for pre-college students other than in a science and mathematics special interest cluster.
- Expected homework:
- 5 hours per week
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges and universities; district physical science requirement
Advanced Physical Science AB–AE / Grade 11–12
The major emphasis of this course is to develop an awareness of the nature of the physical environment and the natural laws of the universe. Stresses the skills used in critical thinking and practical aspects of science. Designed for students who wish to undertake a general study of the physical sciences. Recommended for pre-college students other than in a science and mathematics special interest cluster.
- Prerequisites:
- Algebra 1AB
- Expected homework:
- 5 hours per week
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges and universities, district science requirement
Advanced Placement Biology / Grade 10–12
The major emphasis of this course is on developing the investigative laboratory approach to the study of living things, detailed study of living systems, the cell, organizational levels, adaptive and non-adaptive change, and interdependence of the organism with its environment. Meets.
- Prerequisites:
- Approval by teacher
- Required reading:
- College texts and research readings
- Expected homework:
- 5 hours per week
- Other aspects/requirements:
- Additional hours for AP exam preparation
- Meets requirements for:
- life science requirement for high school, science requirements for high school, state colleges and universities
Advanced Placement Chemistry / Grade 11–12
Advanced Placement chemistry is designed to be taken after the successful completion of a first course in high school chemistry. The college course in general chemistry differs qualitatively from the usual first high school course in chemistry with respect to the kind of text book used, the emphasis on chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of principals, and the kind of laboratory experiments done by the students. Quantitative differences appear in the number and the variety of experiments in the laboratory. The course provides an in depth study of kinetic theory of gases, structure of matter, chemical equilibrium, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, oxidation-reduction, and organic chemistry.
- Prerequisites:
- Permission of instructor, Algebra 1AB, Geometry AB, Biology AB, and Chemistry AB
- Required reading:
- College text plus supplemental reading
- Expected homework:
- 5 to 8 hours per week
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges and universities; physical science requirement for high school
Advanced Placement Environmental Science AB / Grade 10–12
This elective course focuses on ecological concepts in context of both local and global environmental issues. Issues raised in the course range from pollution, to resource limits, to population dynamics, and to possible solutions. The course integrates biology, geology, oceanography, atmospheric science, geography and sociology to increase environmental awareness. Field trips are planned in order to promote hands-on involvement.
- Prerequisites:
- Teacher approval
- Required reading:
- College texts and research readings
- Expected homework:
- 5 hours per week
- Other aspects/requirements:
- Additional hours for AP exam preparation
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges and universities
Advanced Placement Physics AB / Grade 11–12
The major emphasis of this course is to provide a non-calculus based physics program designed for honors students. It meets District physical science requirements. It meets University of California entrance requirement of one year of laboratory science. The course should be representative of courses commonly offered in colleges and universities. May be accepted by certain universities for course credit or advanced placement of students who qualify on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination: Physics B Exam, non-calculus based.
- Prerequisites:
- Algebra 2AB or Math Analysis AB completed or being taken concurrently; teacher approval
- Required reading:
- College texts, instructor's materials
- Expected homework:
- 5–8 hours per week
- Other aspects/requirements:
- Can be taken concurrently with math analysis or calculus
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges and universities
AP Physics BC / Grade 11–12
The major emphasis of this course is to provide a calculus-based physics program designed for honors students. It meets District physical science requirements. It meets University of California entrance requirement of one year of laboratory science. The course should be representative of courses commonly offered in colleges and universities. May be accepted by certain universities for course credit or advanced placement of students who qualify on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination: Physics C Exam, calculus based.
- Prerequisites:
- Math analysis or calculus completed or being taken concurrently; teacher approval
- Required reading:
- College texts, instructor's materials
- Expected homework:
- 5–8 hours per week
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges, and universities
Biology AB / Grade 9–12
This course provides educational experiences in the basic biological principles: structural unit of life, chemical functioning of organisms, patterns of life, classification by observable structure, populations, community structure, ecological interrelationships, reproduction patterns, heredity, and adaptation and change in living things. Stress is on active student participation in laboratory investigations and the development of critical thing skills.
- Expected homework:
- 3 to 5 hours per week
- Meets requirements for:
- life science requirement for high school, science requirements for high school, state colleges and universities
Biology AB–AE / Grade 9–12
This course covers in greater depth the topics in Biology AB. Stress is in active student participation in laboratory investigations and the development of critical thing skills. Excellent preparation for AP Biology.
- Prerequisites:
- None. Counselor approval if taken in grade nine.
- Required reading:
- Advanced High School text
- Expected homework:
- 4 to 5 hours per week
- Other aspects/requirements:
- Emphasis on lab work
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges and universities
Chemistry AB / Grade 10–12
The major emphasis of this course is to provide problem-solving, laboratory investigation and independent measurement techniques. Introduces the mole concept in the study of compounds, gas laws, solutions, and ionization. Introduces atomic structure and orbital electron structure, the periodic law, acids, bases, salts, oxidation-reduction, organic chemistry, and reaction kinetics. for high school.
- Prerequisites:
- Algebra 1AB, Biology AB (or equivalent)
- Required reading:
- High school text and supplement materials
- Expected homework:
- 5 hours per week
- Meets requirements for:
- state colleges and universities, physical science requirement for high school
Physics AB / Grade 11–12
The major emphasis of this course is to develop scientific attitudes and skills used in critical thinking and the use of general principles in the solution of problems through laboratory investigation. Meets the grade 9–12 District physical science requirement.
- Prerequisites:
- Algebra 2AB, Trigonometry, Biology AB or equivalent
- Required reading:
- High School Text
- Expected homework:
- 5 hours per week
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges, and universities; UC entrance requirement for one year of laboratory science
Physiology AB / Grade 11–12
The major emphasis of this course is to involve the student in laboratory experiments, methods of scientific investigation, and critical thinking skills. It includes the study of the human body, cellular physiology, structure and function of the human body systems. and proper nutrition and its relationship to health. Planned for students who have a special interest in nursing, medicine, and public health.
- Prerequisites:
- Biology AB, Algebra 1AB
- Required reading:
- High school and junior college text
- Expected homework:
- 5 hours per week
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges, and universities
Physiology AB– Honors / Grade 11–12
The major emphasis of this course is on the study of the complimentary relationships of human body functions and structure, homeostatic regulating mechanism, and the interaction between a human and his environment. Major emphasis is also placed on medical terminology as well as clinical problems and practices. Laboratory investigations and field studies equivalent in quantity and quality to an honors one year biological science course are made.
- Prerequisites:
- Biology AB, Algebra 1AB; high performance in science; teacher approval
- Required reading:
- University texts and lab manual
- Expected homework:
- 5 hours per week
- Meets requirements for:
- high school, state colleges, and universities
