Introduction: A minimum of two years of science is
required for high school graduation--one year must be a life science and
one a physical science. Courses described under the Agribusiness
department also meet the requirement for graduation. The four-year plans
below are models to be used as guidelines only in creating your own
unique program.
Life Science |
Physical Science |
Biology
AP Biology
Ocean Ecology
Nature Photography |
Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Physics
AP Physics
Ocean Ecology
Nature Photography |
Intensive College Prep |
Grade |
Recommended Course |
|
9 |
Biology |
|
10 |
Chemistry, Physics, or AP Biology |
|
11 |
Chemistry, Physics, AP Chemistry, or AP Biology |
|
12 |
AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or AP Physics |
College Prep |
Grade |
Recommended Course |
|
9 |
Biology or Agricultural Biology |
|
10 |
Chemistry |
|
11 |
Physics |
|
12 |
Elective |
High school Graduation |
Grade |
Recommended Course |
|
9 |
Agricultural Science |
|
10 |
Nature Photography, Biology, Ocean Ecology, or Agricultural Science |
|
11 |
Nature Photography or Ocean Ecology |
|
12 |
Elective |
Course Descriptions
BIOLOGY*
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-10 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Life Science for SHS; for UC/CSU, d
Prerequisite:
Freshman must have a grade of "A" or "B" in 8th grade science in order
to take Biology in the 9th grade; and a C or higher Algebra 1.
Course Description:
Biology is a year-long laboratory life science course designed for
college bound students. It fulfills the "a-g" life science requirement
for college entrance. This is a survey course covering such topics as
biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, botany, ecology, microbiology,
evolution and animal physiology. This is a rigorous science course in
which laboratory work is emphasized.
* Also Sheltered Biology
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY (AP)
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
11-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Life Science for SHS; for UC/CSU, d, g
Prerequisite:Recommended that students earn a “C” or higher in Biology or instructor's permission.
Course Description: Our revised AP Biology course is a shift fromtraditional
“content coverage” model of instruction to one that focuses on
enduring, conceptual understandings and the content that supports them.
This approach will enable students to spend less time on factual recall and more time on inquiry-based learning of essential concepts, and will help them develop the reasoning skills necessary to engage in the science practices used throughout their study of AP Biology. To foster this deeper level of learning, the breadth of content coverage in AP Biology is defined in a way that distinguishes content essential to support the enduring understandings from the many examples or applications that can overburden the course. Illustrative examples are provided
that offer a variety of optional instructional contexts to help their
students achieve deeper understanding. Students who take AP Biology will
also develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a
plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across domains. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in subsequent college courses — a goal of every AP course. Our
revised AP Biology course is equivalent to a two-semester college
introductory biology course and has been endorsed enthusiastically by
higher education officials.
AGRICULTURE BIOLOGY
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
10-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Life or Physical Science, Applied Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, d, g
Prerequisite: Students must have taken Algebra I or be concurrently enrolled.
Course
Description: This class emphasizes detailed knowledge of the
biological principles of the following areas: molecular and cellular
aspects of living things, structure and function of plants and animals,
genetics, physiology, plant and animal diversity, and principles of
classification, ecological relationships, and animal behavior. Students
will be offered the opportunity to utilize the on-site fruit orchard and
commercial greenhouses for research and observations.
CHEMISTRY
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
10-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Physical Science for SHS; for UC/CSU, d, g
Prerequisite: "C" or better in Algebra 1 or equivalent, pass Biology or Ag Biology with a “B” or higher
Course Description:
This course is designed for students with a high achievement in math
and science. Chemistry is a course in which you will learn how all
things are made and how they are assembled together. Topics to be
covered include atoms and molecules, bonding, energy, behavior of
liquids, solids and gases, organic chemistry, acids and bases,
electrochemistry, metals, radioactivity, and chemistry of the
environment. The emphasis is on practical use of chemistry, with many
labs.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY (AP)
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
11-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Physical Science for SHS; for UC/CSU, d, g
Prerequisite:Recommended that student's earn a C or higher in Chemistry or instructor's permission
Course Description:
AP Chemistry 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, as freshmen, second-year work in
the chemistry sequence at their institution or to register in courses in
other fields where general chemistry is a prerequisite. This is an
intense course for students likely to major in science when they get to
college. Strong math skills are a must! Students are expected to take
the AP Chemistry Exam in May.
PHYSICS
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
10-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Physical Science for SHS; for UC/CSU, d, g
Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2. (Neither chemistry nor biology is prerequisite to physics.)
Course Description:
Physics is a subject for those who wish to understand their physical
environment. How do satellites move in orbit? Why do soap bubbles appear
colored? How is the behavior of an atom like that of a guitar? Physics
is a laboratory based university prep course. It is a course for those
with inquisitive minds as well as those planning to continue their
education in the sciences or engineering.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS (AP)
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
11-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: SHS Physical Science; for UC/CSU, d, g
Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or higher level math or instructor's permission
Course Description:
AP Physics 1: This yearlong Algebra-Based physics
course is the equivalent to a first-semester college course in
algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including
rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; and
mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits.
AP Physics 2: This yearlong Algebra-Based course
is the equivalent to a second-semester college course in algebra-based
physics. The course covers fluid mechanics; thermodynamics; electricity
and magnetism; optics; and atomic and nuclear physics.
EXPLORING AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-11 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Life or Physical Science, Applied Arts for SHS
Prerequisite: None
Course
Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the world
of science and technology from an agricultural perspective. Students
have the opportunity to experience agricultural science first hand, and
develop laboratory and management skills by raising plants and animals.
All students, as members of the FFA, participate in leadership
activities and career exploration.
OCEAN ECOLOGY
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
11-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Physical or Life Science for SHS; for UC/CSU, g
Prerequisite: One semester of any science class
Course Description:
This course is designed for the student who wants to learn about the
physical, chemical and biological aspects of the oceans. Topics to be
covered include how the oceans were formed, how they affect our weather,
global warming, marine animals and plants, seashore and beach
formation, environmental protection of the ocean habitat, waves, marine
research, and ecology. Course includes field trips to ocean or marine
labs, labs during class time, etc. This class is a good starting place
for anyone interested in a career in oceanography, marine biology,
meteorology, zoology or fisheries.
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
10-12 |
Semester |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Science for SHS; for UC/CSU, g (semester only)
Prerequisite:
The only prerequisite is a desire to interact with nature as an
interested observer/artist, but computer, science and/or photography
experience is useful.
Course Description: The
natural world provides exciting opportunities for photographic
exploration and self expression. Nature Photography is a course designed
to develop and improve the overall photographic and observational
skills of novice and intermediate level photographers. Students will
learn how to use both digital and film cameras to capture and manipulate
images of animals, plants and landscapes effectively. The use of
scanners, digital darkroom software and photomicroscopy will be employed
to expand each student's vision of nature. Students must provide their
own photographic equipment (any working camera, digital or film)
Students are responsible for their own film and processing as needed.
Fieldtrips for shooting pictures and viewing photographic exhibits will
add to the educational experience of the participants. There is a
materials fee of $20.