Courses Offered
SCI 400 Concepts in Science
Grade: 9
Prerequisites: None
Concepts in Science is an introductory course offered to freshmen. It emphasizes lab skills and provides a foundation for biology, chemistry, and physics courses. Students will gain hands-on experience, be required to write formal lab reports, and utilize basic math skills in context.
SCI 202 Biology
Grade: 10 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Concepts in Science
Through class instruction and laboratory inquiries, the biology student is introduced to the following areas of study: the nature of living things, the continuity of life, microbiology, biology of plants and animals, genetics, evolution, bioethics, human biology, and ecology. The student develops the ability to use scientific procedures in the lab, to collect and analyze data, and to draw conclusions from results obtained.
SCI 203 Honors Biology
Grade: 9, 10 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Teacher Recommendation based on grades and test scores.
Honors Biology is a course surveying the principal biological concepts of the chemistry of life, cells, genetics, evolution, plants, animals, and ecology. Emphasis will be placed upon understanding the process of science, the interrelatedness of science, technology, and society, and the place of ethics in biology. Laboratory work and writing will constitute a major part of the course.
SCI 503 Advanced Placement Biology
Grade: 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Biology or Honors Biology, either Chemistry or Physics completed, and Teacher Recommendation
AP Biology is a demanding and rigorous course that is the equivalent of a college biology course. The intent of the course is to deepen students’ understanding of the unifying principles of biology, using the principles of inquiry to guide exploration. Content will be covered in more depth and greater expectations will be placed on interpretations and analysis of information than previous biology courses. In addition, a significant amount of studying must completed at home to allow time for discussion, labs, and inquiry during class time. This course is designed to prepare students for the Biology College Board Advanced Placement Exam. This class will meet during designated times outside of regular class time to complete particular laboratory activities. Students are required to take the AP Biology exam in May. The College Board charges a fee for this exam.
SCI 310 Chemistry in the Community
Grade: 10, 11, 12 1 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: 1 year of Biology, Algebra
This chemistry course is designed to provide students opportunities to develop and use important chemistry concepts and skills. Students will gain an understanding of the chemistry behind some issues and problems that may affect your community.
SCI 302 Chemistry
Grade: 10, 11,12 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Biology, Algebra I, and concurrently taking Geometry.
The student is introduced to chemistry through the study of matter and energy and continues with elements and compounds and different types of reactions. The concept of the mole, atomic structure, and different forms of bonding are studied. Further topics include kinetic theory, acids and bases, and equilibrium systems. Problem-solving and laboratory techniques are stressed.
SCI 303 Honors Chemistry
Grade: 10, 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Biology, concurrent enrollment in Geometry, and Teacher Approval
Honors Chemistry is an introductory chemistry course taught at a college level. The topics are similar to the regular Chemistry course but in greater depth. The course is mathematically-oriented, and problem solving is emphasized. Practical examples and uses of chemistry will be stressed. Laboratory work is a strong element in this class.
SCI 305 Advanced Placement Chemistry
Grade: 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Chemistry or Honors Chemistry and Teacher Approval.
The AP Chemistry course is designed for students who successfully completed a first course in high school chemistry, preferably in Honors Chemistry. It is an equivalent to the general chemistry course taken during the first year in college. This course is structured around the six big ideas and the seven science practices articulated in the AP Chemistry curriculum framework provided by the College Board. In addition to covering essential contents to support enduring understanding of chemistry, the curriculum is geared to develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills. This course is fast-paced and aims to cover in depth the six big ideas and to provide students with learning experience based on the seven science practices. This class meets outside of normal class time in order to complete laboratory work. Students are required to take the AP Chemistry exam in May. The College Board charges a fee for this exam.
SCI 402 Physics
Grade: 10, 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Biology (reg or Honors), concurrent enrollment in Algebra II
The first part of this course deals with classical mechanics from a conceptual viewpoint although associated math techniques are stressed. The topics of energy, rotational motion, waves, and DC circuits are then studied with emphasis on how they relate to the concept of energy. Problem solving using a variety of techniques including written work, laboratory experiments, and computer work is also emphasized.
SCI 403 Honors Physics
Grade: 10, 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Biology (reg or Honors), concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra II
Honors Physics is an introductory physics course taught at a college level. The topics are similar to the regular Physics course but in greater depth. The course is mathematically-oriented, and problem solving is emphasized. Practical examples and uses of physics will be stressed. Laboratory work is a strong element in this class.
SCI 404 Advanced Placement Physics
Grade: 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Physics or Honors Physics, Pre Calculus and Teacher Recommendation
The topics studied in this course are similar to those studied in the regular Physics class, but in greater mathematical depth. General areas of Physics such as mechanics, energy, rotational motion, waves, and DC electrical circuits are studied, emphasizing practical mathematics and laboratory investigation. Problem solving, using a variety of techniques including the computer, is also emphasized. Lab work is considered very important in this class and this may involve meeting outside of regular class time. Students are required to take the AP Physics exam in May. The College Board charges a fee for this exam.
SCI 502 Anatomy and Physiology
Grade: 10, 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: 1 year of Biology (honors or general), either Chemistry or Physics completed or being taken concurrently
This course will focus on human biology by examining the human anatomy and physiology of all the major organ systems. Other topics may include nutrition, drugs, biotechnology, health issues, and disease control.
SCI 311 AP Environmental Science
Grade: 10, 11, 12 One year; meets CSU/UC "d" requirement
Prerequisites: Biology or Honors Biology, either Chemistry or Physics completed or being taken concurrently
The AP Environmental Science course is a full year course designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. Unlike most other introductory-level college science courses, environmental science is offered from a wide variety of departments including geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. The goal of the course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them, and to develop and focus their own political perspective. Students are required to take the AP Environmental Science exam in May. The College Board charges a fee for this exam.
PED 201 Health
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12 One semester
The objective of the Health Education Program is to introduce the principles of holistic health through nutrition, aerobic fitness, and mental, social, spiritual, and emotional wellness. The course includes discussion of values, peer pressure and decision-making, and education about HIV, AIDS, other STDs, First Aid and CPR, mental and emotional health (including self- esteem, eating disorders, stress and anger management, and domestic violence and family issues), and the effects of all drugs, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, ecstasy, the opiates, methamphetamines, cocaine, and other harmful substances.