Science

Science Department Courses

Biology
Biology is a college-preparatory laboratory science in the life science field and a critical study of all major groups of living organisms and their relationship to man and each other. This course meets the Life Science graduation requirement and the University of California and California State University science entrance requirements.

Honors Biology | SC411H | Grades 9-12 | Year
Prerequisite: Recommendation of current science teacher.
The curriculum in this course is more rigorous than the regular Biology class and is designed to prepare students for Advanced Placement courses. This course meets the Life Science graduation requirement and the University of California and the California State University laboratory science entrance requirements.

Anatomy and Physiology (Grades 11-12)  SC423
This course meets UC a-g for “d-Laboratory Science”
Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry. It is recommended that students earn a grade of “C” or better in each course
This is a college preparatory, laboratory science class for students who have completed biology and chemistry and are interested in a rigorous science curriculum. Anatomy & Physiology offers comprehensive study of cell, tissue, and organ system levels of organization. Coursework includes laboratory investigations, lecture and note-taking, and completion of various written and oral reports. All students are expected to keep a lab book containing lab detailed notes and diagrams from lecture in class. This laboratory course requires each student’s active participation in the dissection of preserved animal specimens. Anatomy & Physiology is a useful course for students interested in pursuing a career in the medical sciences. 

AP Biology | SC414H | Grades 11-12 | Year
Prerequisite: All students are require teacher recommendation before consideration.
AP Biology is designed to be taken by students after successful completion of a first course in high school biology and one of high school chemistry. This course meets the science graduation requirement and the University of California, California State University, entrance requirement as a lab science. Students who take this course are strongly advised to take the College Board AP Biology exam at an approximate cost of $100.00. For students eligible for fee waiver the cost of the test is $10.00.

Chemistry | SC415 | Grades 10-12 | Year
Prerequisite: A “C” average or above in academic classes, including concurrent enrollment or completion of Integrated Math II, or permission from the instructor.
This is a college-preparatory laboratory science, which includes instruction in the structure of matter and the composition of substances, their transformation, analysis, synthesis and manufacture. This course is recommended for students interested in medicine, engineering or nursing. This course meets the Physical Science graduation requirement and the University of California and California State University science laboratory entrance requirement.

Honors Chemistry | SC415H | Grades 10-12 | Year
SC411 | Grades 9-12 | Year | SC411P
Prerequisite: A “B” or better in Honors Biology or an “A” in regular biology, concurrent enrollment in or have completed Integrated Math II and recommendation of current science teacher.
This is a college preparatory course that requires proficiency in solving algebraic and logarithmic equations. The California State Standards (grades 9-12) for chemistry drives course content objectives.

Earth & Space Science | SC427| Grades 9-12 | Year
This laboratory Science course meets UC a-g for the "d" requirement 
Earth Science takes an in-depth look at the natural world and its processes with a  focus on matter, energy, origin and evolution of the Earth and its solar system, geology, meteorology, oceanography, and the cycles that circulate energy and material through the biosphere. Inquiry-based labs and activities are the cornerstone of the curriculum. This class is designed for students who do not take Chemistry, yet allows students to gain their physical science credit to fulfill their graduation requirements.

Physics | SC418 | Grades 10-12 | Year
Prerequisite: A “C” or above in Integrated Math II or permission from the instructor.
This is a college-preparatory laboratory science that addresses the physical processes of electricity, atomic energy, mechanics, heat, light, and sound. This course meets the Physical Science graduation requirement and the University of California and California State University laboratory science entrance requirements.

AP Physics | SC421H | Grades 11-12 | Year
Prerequisite: All students are require teacher recommendation before consideration.
This is a trigonometry-based course designed to prepare students to take the Physics Advanced Placement examination. This course meets the Physical Science graduation requirement and the University of California and California State University science laboratory entrance requirement. Students who take this course are strongly advised to take the College Board AP Physics exam at an approximate cost of $100.00. For students eligible for fee waiver the cost of the test is $10.00.