Science

Science

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.