Science Deprtment
Jim Miller, Chair
Science
SCI 102 Health
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12 One semester; required for graduation
This course will include topics on the physical, mental, preventing illness, social health, and making lifestyle changes that can influence the quality of life. Other topics related to health and wellness will be included such as: drug and alcohol abuse, psychology, AIDS education, nutrition, family life and consumer health.
SCI 202 Biology A, B
Grade:10 One year; meets CSU/UC “d” requirement
This a laboratory science course in which the student is introduced to the following areas of study: the nature of living things, the continuity of life, microbiology, biology of plants and animals, human biology, and ecology. The student will develop the ability to utilize scientific procedures in the lab, to collect and analyze data, and to draw conclusions from results obtained.
SCI 203 Honors Biology A, B
Grade: 9, 10 One year; meets CSU/UC “d” requirement
Prerequisite: G.P.A of 3.0, concurrent enrollment in Honors English, previous or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 1.
This is a laboratory course surveying the principal biological concepts of chemistry of life, cells, genetics, evolution, plants, animals, and ecology. A strong emphasis will be placed on the understanding of the processes of science, the interrelatedness of science, technology, society, and the place of ethics in biology. Laboratory work and writing will constitute a major part of the course. This is a pre-AP course.
SCI 301 Physical Science A, B
Grade: 11 One year; meets CSU/UC “g” requirement
This is a laboratory science course which focuses on the fields of chemistry and physics, with minimal mathematics required. The concepts of energy and matter are studied with reference to kinetic theory, wave motion, and atomic structure. Further topics include: astronomy, geology, oceanography, and weather. There will be a strong emphasis placed on problem solving through laboratory investigation.
SCI 302 Chemistry A, B
Grade: 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC “d” requirement
Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in Algebra 1, and a 2.5 G.P.A.
This a laboratory course in which the student is introduced to chemistry through the study of matter and energy, elements, compounds, and different types of reactions. A strong emphasis will be placed on the nature and structure of the atom, a study of gases, theories of chemical bonding, and organic chemistry. Problem-solving and laboratory techniques are stressed.
SCI 303 Honors Chemistry A,B
Grade: 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC “d” requirement
Prerequisite: A grade of “B” or better in Honors Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, Honors Biology, and a 3.0 G.P.A.
This is a more in-depth and accelerated laboratory course designed to strengthen the honor’s student’s skills. A strong emphasis will be placed on the relationship between the nature of matter and energy, atomic structure, the nature of the atom, states of matter, thermodynamics of matter, inorganic and organic chemistry. Students will be required to actively participate in laboratory work, and special projects. This is a pre-AP course.
SCI 402 Physics A, B
Grade: 12 One year; meets CSU/UC “d” requirement
Prerequisite: A grade of “B” or better in Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2, or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2.
This is a laboratory science course which covers topics such as: motion, heat, light, astronomy, mechanics, electromagnetism, the atom, and the nucleus. An emphasis will be placed on the mathematical problems related to each section.
SCI 403 Honors Physics A, B
Grade: 12 One year; meets CSU/UC “d” requirement
Prerequisite: A grade of “B” or better in Honors Chemistry, Honors Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, and Honors Algebra 2.
This is a more in-depth laboratory course meant to sharpen the honor’s student’s skills. The topics studied in this course will be similar to those studied in the regular course but will involve greater mathematical depth. General areas of physics such as: mechanics, heat, light, astronomy, electromagnetism, the atom, and the nucleus will be studied emphasizing practical mathematics and laboratory investigation. This is a pre-AP course.
SCI 501 Marine Biology
Grade: 12 One year
This is a laboratory science course which emphasizes the basic principles of biology and the physical sciences. Students will learn how to apply the scientific method to the marine environment, the chemical and physical features of the world ocean, how living organisms adapt to life in the ocean, the structure and function of different parts of the marine environment, and how the oceans affect and are affected by human activities. This course involves extensive hands-on activities and includes dissection of representative marine invertebrates and vertebrates.