EARTH SCIENCE

Grade level: 10-11
Length of Course: 1 year
Credits: 5 credits per semester
Prerequisite: 9th grade standing

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Earth Science satisfies the Physical Science requirement for the State of California. This lab course is designed to provide a foundation for higher-level science courses in Chemistry and Physics. Included would be earth processes, energy sources and usage, biogeochemical cycles, geology, and structure and composition of the atmosphere. Investigation and experimentation are a vital part of this lab course.

BIOLOGY

Grade level: 10-11
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 5 credits per semester
Prerequisite: 10th grade reading level, enrolled at the math level of Algebra
or higher

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This lab course in biology studies living things and the process of research. Molecular and cellular levels of the whole organism will also be covered. Cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution and basic physiology will be covered.

CHEMISTRY

Grade level: 11-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 5 credits per semester
Prerequisite: Enrolled in Geometry or Algebra II and a grade of ‘C’ or
higher in Biology

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Chemistry is a lab course with an emphasis on higher-level thinking and problem solving. This course introduces students to the study of the structure and properties of matter and the changes it undergoes. Curriculum includes; atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonds, conservation of matter, gasses and their properties, acids and bases, solutions, chemical thermodynamics, reaction rates, chemical equilibrium, organic chemistry and bio-chemistry, and nuclear processes.

CHEMISTRY HONORS

Grade level: 11-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 5 credits per semester
Prerequisite: ‘B’ or better in Algebra I, enrolled in Geometry or Algebra II, ‘C’ or better in Biology.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course covers the same material as chemistry, but with a stronger math emphasis. Labs will stress the quantitative aspects of the concepts being researched in the class.

PHYSICS

Grade level: 12
Course length: 1 year
Credits: 5 credits per semester
Prerequisite: ‘C’ or better in Biology and Chemistry. Enrollment in
Algebra II or Algebra II Honors is recommended.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The fundamental principles governing physical processes on the universe will be studied. Topics included are; study of motion, Newtonian mechanics, conservation of momentum and energy, thermodynamics and heat, waves, sound, light, electricity and magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics.

PHYSICS HONORS

Grade level: 12
Course length: 1 year
Credits: 5 credits per semester
Prerequisites: ‘B’ or better in Biology and Chemistry, and concurrent
enrollment in Pre-calculus.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course covers the same material as physics, but may incorporate pre-calculus in the development of theory, as well as higher level thinking skills and problem solving.

*A.P. OR ADVANCED PLACEMENT classes in Biology or Anatomy, Chemistry, and Physics will be considered when planning for the junior and senior years. The courses offered will be determined by student need and staff qualifications.