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SCIENCE


Biology: The Living Earth 1,2 - Grade 9 - 12

Biology: The Living Earth integrates Life Science with Earth and Space Science, following the three-course model for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Units are based on the six instructional segments outlined in the California Framework and include:
Ecosystem Interactions and Energy,
History of Earth’s Atmosphere:
Photosynthesis and Respiration,
Evidence of Evolution,
Inheritance of Traits,
Structure, Function, and Growth (from cells to organisms),
Ecosystem Stability & the Response to Climate Change.

Students will engage in the Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) as well as the Crosscutting Concepts (CCC) to explore phenomena demonstrating the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) of each instructional segment.    

 

Physics 1,2 Advanced   – Grade 9

 

Prerequisites:

Integrated Math I A-B with a grade of A or B or Integrated Math I A-B Advanced with a grade of C or better

 

This two-semester laboratory science course is more rigorous and mathematically demanding than the basic physics course. It is designed to provide an introductory experience to the processes of investigating the physical world and the understandings derived from those processes. The emphasis is on developing a qualitative conceptual understanding of general principles and models and of the nature of scientific inquiry. The core content addresses the topics of motion and forces, the conservation of energy and momentum, heat and thermodynamics, waves and electric and magnetic phenomena. The course is aligned to NGSS, integrating Disciplinary Core Ideas from Physical Science and Earth and Space Science, Crosscutting Concepts and Science and Engineering Processes.

 

 

Physics of the Universe 1,2 – Grade 9 - 12

 

Prerequisites: Integrated Math I A-B (P) or equivalent

 

Students will study the underlying causes and effects of forces on Earth and in the Universe, including gravitational, contact, magnetic, nuclear, and electrostatic forces. Students will investigate the nature of energy and matter and their conservation. They will have the opportunity to study the formation of the geophysical features of Earth and cosmic evolution. They will examine the collection of evidence supporting physical models. Students will also examine the principles of waves and how we use waves in information technology, including information storage and transfer. Students will work on projects which demonstrate their mastery of the course, regularly conduct experimental investigations, and participation in engineering practice.

 

Chemistry in the Earth System 1,2 Honors  - Grades 10,11,12

 

Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Integrated Math I A-B (P) or equivalent

This course integrates Physical Science with Earth and Space Science, following the three-course model for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students will engage in the Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) as well as the Crosscutting Concepts (CCC) to explore phenomena demonstrating the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) of each instructional segment.
As an Honors level course, students will engage with the course content at a deeper level. Students will participate in the Chemistry Matters Project, integrated throughout the course, an exploration of the U.N. Sustainable Development goals and how science can help work towards solutions. Students will select one of the Sustainable Development Goals to research and plan to take action towards in their culminating project.  

Successful completion of this course earns recognition of honors (i.e., weighted) credit by the University of California. Courses meeting UC criteria for honors designation must be comparable in workload and emphasis to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or introductory college courses. A course syllabus, with laboratory activities, and a district-prepared, comprehensive end-of-course examination are required.

Chemistry 1,2 AP - Grades 10 - 12

 

Prerequisites – Completion of first-year Chemistry or teacher recommendation AND completion of Integrated Math 2.

The course is designed for students to pursue college-level studies in Chemistry while still in secondary school. As such, the instruction will assume that the student has a solid understanding of algebraic and arithmetic skills. The course is organized around nine units that are dictated by the College Board and are meant to prepare the student for taking the AP Chemistry exam as a culminating event. The pacing of the course is swift, and the coverage of material is extensive. Thus, it will be necessary for each student to budget their study time accordingly to keep pace with the subject matter. Students should expect 45 minutes of independent work (homework) each day.

 

Chemistry in the Earth System 1, 2 – Grades 9-12

 

Prerequisites: Integrated Math I A-B (P) or equivalent

This course integrates Physical Science with Earth and Space Science, following the three-course model for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Units are based on the six instructional segments outlined in the California Framework and include:

        • Combustion,
        • Heat and energy in the earth System
        • Atoms, Elements, and Molecules
        • Chemical Reactions
        • Chemistry of Climate Change
        • Dynamics of Chemical reactions
        • Ocean Acidification

Students will engage in the Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) as well as the Crosscutting Concepts (CCC) to explore phenomena demonstrating the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) of each instructional segment.  

Biology 1,2 Advanced  - Grade 11 - 12

 

Prerequisites: “A” or “B” in Honors Chemistry or AP Chemistry and approval of Chemistry teacher.

 

This is a first-year course intended for students with the interest and ability to extend their study of biology beyond the basic course, and/or who are contemplating a science-related career but are not prepared to take Advanced Placement Biology as their first biology course. It covers all the elements of the regular course, including the same inquiry and cooperative strategies, but its pace will be faster, it will go into greater depth in selected areas, and it will be more quantitative. The course is aligned to NGSS, integrating Disciplinary Core Ideas from Life Science and Earth and Space Science, Crosscutting Concepts and Science and Engineering Processes.

 

 

Biology 1, 2 AP – Grades 11, 12

Prerequisites: Integrated Math II A-B (P) or equivalent; an “A” or “B” in AP Chemistry; an “A” in Honors Chemistry and teacher approval

Advanced Placement (AP ®) Biology is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course for biology majors. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following big ideas: evolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and system interactions. This approach enables students to spend less time on factual recall and more time on developing reasoning skills necessary to engage with cross-cutting concepts. One-quarter of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices. Laboratory activities have clearly labeled safety precautions and hazardous waste disposal procedures.

Success in this course requires 1-3 hours of work daily outside the classroom.

This course satisfies the life science graduation requirement. AP Biology is an approved D course for the University of California (UC) A-G subject-matter requirements.

 

Marine Science 1, 2 (P) - Grades 12

 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Biology 1,2 (P), Physics and Chemistry or equivalents; interest in marine science

 

This course builds on the physical science and life science concepts learned in previous science courses and applies that knowledge to the exploration of the living and nonliving environments of our bays and oceans. Students will participate in a variety of learning experiences, including laboratory experiments, discussions, field trips, projects, independent research, and appropriate use of community resources. Ethical and social issues related to the marine environment may be addressed.

 

 

Physics AB 1,2 AP - Grades 11-12

 

Physics I is equivalent to the first semester of a typical introductory, algebra-based college physics course. The course gives teachers the time to foster greater depth of conceptual understanding through the use of student-centered, inquiry-based instruction. Twenty-five percent of instructional time is spend in laboratory work. The course explores such topics as Newtonian mechanics; work; energy and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory simple circuits.

 

Environmental Science 1,2 AP - Grade 12

 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry 1,2 (P), Biology 1,2 (P), and Physics or equivalents

 

This advanced-level course is designed as the equivalent of a one-semester college-level course in environmental science. It provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine solutions for resolving or preventing them.

 

Environmental Science 1,2 Advanced Placement will provide students with an additional laboratory science option at the advanced-placement level, as well as an opportunity to explore their local environments and global environmental issues. Students who normally do not enroll in Advanced Placement courses may select this course as a result of their interest in environmental issues.

Click here for more information regarding AP Environmental workload and a sample of student work.