Students will have a working knowledge of science and social, technological and environmental impact on their lives.
Students will have a working knowledge of the processes and techniques, methods, equipment, and available technology of science.
Students will have a working knowledge of the concepts of biological science and its impact on life and work in contemporary society.
Students will have a working knowledge of the concepts of earth science and its image on life and work in contemporary society.
Students will have a working knowledge of physical science and its impact on life and work in contemporary society.
Students will have a working knowledge of some of the concepts of earth science and its image on life and work in contemporary society.
31311-31312 Introductory Physical Science (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; concurrent or prior enrollment in Algebra I In Introductory Physical Science students will have an opportunity to become familiar with laboratory equipment and techniques; to observe, collect, and organize information gained from experiments; and to interpret and draw meaningful conclusions from topics in chemistry and physics. IPS should help prepare those who choose to study biology, chemistry, and physics in the future. Scientific calculators are required.
31321-31322 Fundamentals of Physical Science/Physics (Year; 1 unit) 31323-31324 Fundamentals of Physical Science/Chemistry (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Sophomore or Junior standing. These courses will be offered in alternate years. Fundamentals of Physical Science will provide the opportunity to become more familiar with basic physics and basic chemistry concepts. Students observe demonstrations, participate in laboratory work, and use supplementary materials to study the physical world in which we live. Topics include motion, forces, energy, electricity, magnetism, light, sound, chemical reactions, solutions, and acids and bases. Math is a substantial part of these courses. Problem solving using equations and formulas is required. This class is treated as a basic level course for GPA calculations. (A regular calculator and a ruler are required)
32311-32312 Biology I (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Freshman Standing Biology includes the study of science as investigation, cell structures and processes, the survey of living things, investigating both their similarities and differences, change of living things through time, transmission of traits from generation to generation, living things in relation to their environment. Microorganisms, plants and animals will also be studied. Laboratory activities will frequently be used to illustrate the concepts to be learned. This course has frequent supplemental reading and daily homework assigned.
32321-32322 Fundamentals of Biology (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Freshman Standing Students will study how living things function in relation to their environment, cellular structure and function, how traits are passed to new generations, how living things change through time, how the various living things are similar and different, and how body systems helps living things. Biology content will relate to technology and to the students’ life experiences. Laboratory work will be used whenever possible to supplement the course work. This course may be appropriate for those who find science interesting but have difficulty with science. This course is not recommended for those who plan to enter college or nursing. This class is treated as a basic level course for GPA calculations.
32341-32342 Honors Biology I (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Freshman standing, completion of Algebra I, concurrent or prior enrollment in Geometry or Honors Geometry, high school science department permission Honors Biology I is an in-depth and fast paced approach to biology with frequent supplemental reading and daily homework assigned. Individual and group projects are also assigned to further investigate certain subjects. Topics to be covered include molecular and cell biology, introductory biochemistry, genetics—individual and population, continuity and diversity of life, survey of the six kingdoms, body systems, and ecological interactions. The topics and depth of coverage will offer a rigorous and challenging introductory life science course for the student who possesses advanced math and reading skills.
32351-32352 Biology II: Anatomy and Physiology (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Minimum C average in Biology I and IPS or Chemistry. This course is designed for the average to above average student. This course gives students a good foundation in human anatomy and physiology. Topics covered include the body systems, major physiological interactions, and human diseases. District Network and Internet Access are required.
32361-32362 Environmental Science (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Minimum C average in Biology I and IPS, Chemistry, or Physics Students will investigate how current human activities are resulting in harmful environmental impacts and the changes that must be made to attain a sustainable world. This course is designed for the student who has a high interest in these issues. It involves lab work and project work, and is geared for the average or above average student.
32381-32382 AP Environmental Science (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Biology I, Chemistry I, and Geometry; department recommendation Topics to be covered are scientific analysis, interdependence of earth's systems, human population dynamics, renewable and non-renewable resources, environmental quality, global changes and their consequences, society and decision-making vs trade-offs, and environmental choices for the future. The main goal is to educate students about the relative risks associated with the environmental problems and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. This course follows the College Board Advanced Placement Syllabus, and students are strongly encouraged to take the College Board exam in May. Please see the section at the beginning of this guide concerning AP exams.
32391-32392 AP Biology II (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: A’s in Biology I and Chemistry I, B average in Honors Biology I and Honors Chemistry I; This second year course prepares students for the AP Biology exam. Topics to be covered include biochemistry, cells, genetics, evolution, survey of kingdoms monera, protista, and fungi, plant, and animal diversity and classification and ecology. This course follows the College Board Advanced Placement Syllabus and students are strongly encouraged to take the national College Board exam in May. Please see the section at the beginning of this guide concerning AP exams. District Network and Internet Access are required.
33311-33312 Chemistry I (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Geometry or concurrent enrollment This is a laboratory-oriented course where students will learn new skills and techniques as they study first year chemistry. They will be introduced to the shorthand of chemistry as they learn to use chemical formulas and equations. Chemical properties will be related to atomic structure as students learn to use the periodic table of the elements. Stoichiometry, qualitative analysis and nuclear chemistry will be introduced.
33331-33332 Honors Chemistry I (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Honors Biology or Biology I; high school science department recommendation and concurrent enrollment in Algebra II & Trigonometry This first year laboratory-oriented course is designed to prepare highly motivated students for the second year AP Chemistry course. Topics will be explored through teacher demonstrations, laboratory exercises, and student problem-solving activities. The student will be introduced to the shorthand of chemistry as they learn to use chemical formulas and equations. Chemical properties will be related to atomic structure as students learn to use the periodic table of the elements. Stoichiometry, qualitative analysis, thermodynamics, and nuclear chemistry will be introduced.
33391-33392 AP Chemistry II (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Grade of B or better in Chemistry I or Honors Chemistry I; Physics I or Honors Physics I or concurrent enrollment This laboratory-oriented course explores the concepts normally taught in a collegiate general chemistry course. The laboratory investigations are used to initiate and reinforce concepts in various topics in chemistry. These include acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics, molecular geometry, organic chemistry, electrochemistry, stoichiometry, and kinetics. This course follows the College Board Advanced Placement Syllabus and students are strongly encouraged to take the national College Board exam in May. Please see the section at the beginning of this guide concerning AP exams. Formal study of new concepts end at spring break. Students will prepare for the advanced placement examination from spring break until early May. Students will work on special projects for the remainder of the year. Students planning careers in medicine, engineering, environmental sciences, physics, or chemistry should carefully consider the advantages of this course. Students completing this course have a competitive advantage in the general chemistry college course required in these majors.
34311-34312 Physics I (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Geometry Physics includes the study of motion, forces, energy, heat, light, electricity and magnetism. Each topic is explored through laboratory exercises, teacher demonstrations and student problem-solving exercises. Physics will help explain the natural world by answering such questions as: Why are astronauts weightless?; At what angle should a cannon be aimed to achieve maximum range?; Why is the sky blue?; and many others. Physics is necessary for any student considering a career in any area of science or engineering. (Scientific calculators are required.)
34331-34332 Honors Physics I (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Algebra II-Trigonometry or concurrent enrollment This course is for those who anticipate a career in the physical sciences or have a high science interest level. It is basically theoretical in approach and uses a lecture-laboratory procedure to pursue the basic concepts of physics. (Scientific calculators are required.)
34391-34392 AP Physics II (Year; 1 unit) Prerequisite: Honors Physics or Physics I; and concurrent enrollment in Honors Pre-Calculus or Calculus or by a special consideration by the science faculty. Physics AP is a lab-based, student-centered course for students interested in receiving college credit through the AP program. The course follows the College Board Advanced Placement Syllabus, and students are encouraged to take the AP exam in May. In general, students interested in medical, engineering, or science related careers take this class. Calculus, Vector methods (multiplication and addition), and algebra are the mathematical foundations of the course. Important mathematical techniques are introduced early in the course and are continuously reinforced as they are applied to topics in the various units. The course emphasizes problem solving during laboratory work. This is accomplished by using an inquiry approach in which students identify experimental variables, design tests of these variables, and collect, organize and analyze data. Students are expected to keep a lab book that describes each lab activity, organizes data, and draws conclusions based upon interpretation of data.
