Core Science Curriculum
*Freshman science placement is determined by placement examination scores. Students placed in Geometry P or higher are eligible for Physics 9H. Students placed in Algebra I or Algebra IH are eligible for Physics 9P. Students placed in Pre-Algebra are automatically placed in Physical Science. Students in Pre-Algebra are not eligible for placement into Physics 9P or 9H.
Chemistry H placement is determined by application and consent of instructor.
Biology H placement is determined by application and consent of instructor.
Science Electives
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Course
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Years Available |
Prerequisites |
| Anatomy and Physiology |
12 |
Completion of Biology P or Biology H |
| Biology AP |
12 |
Completion of Biology H with a B or better and consent of instructor/ department chair
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| Chemistry AP |
11, 12 |
Completion of Chemistry H with a B or better and consent of instructor/ department chair |
| Physics 12P |
12 |
Concurrent enrollment in Algebra II or higher |
| Physics 12H |
12 |
Concurrent enrollment in Math Analysis or higher and consent of instructor/ department chair |
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Core Computer Curriculum
**Students may test out of this course.
Computer Applications Challenge Exam
Computer Electives
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Computer Science AP
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11, 12
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Concurrent enrollment or completion of Algebra II and consent of instructor/ department chair
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Science - Description of Courses Offered
DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Students must successfully complete three (3) years of science: a freshmen level physics or physical science course, a chemistry course, and a biology course. A fourth year of science is highly recommended for all students entering a four year institution.
PHYSICS 9 (P) is a freshman level laboratory physics course for students concurrently enrolled in Algebra I. The math is kept to a minimum while students investigate the concepts of physics. There are many labs and hands on activities including some work with computers. This course will introduce students to the concepts of motion, forces, work, energy, waves, light, sound, electricity and magnetism.
This course will fulfill the UC requirement.
Co-requisite: concurrent enrollment in Algebra I or higher.
PHYSICS 9 (H) is a fast paced freshman level laboratory physics course. It follows the basic curriculum of Physics 9 (P), but includes subject enrichment as time allows. There will be more mathematical analysis of physical concepts than in Physics 9 (P). A significant amount of out-of-class time will be required.
This course will fulfill the UC requirement.Co-requisite: concurrent enrollment in Geometry or higher or instructor approval.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE is an introductory level science class offered to those students concurrently enrolled in Pre-Algebra I.
This course may not fulfill the requirements for all 4-year colleges.
CHEMISTRY (P) is a sophomore level laboratory chemistry course. This course includes the nature and classification of matter, structure of atoms, chemical bonds, molecular structure, chemical formulae, polyatomic ions, moles, types of chemical reactions, stoichiometry, enthalpy, entropy, colligative properties of matter, combined gas law, reaction rate, equilibrium, and acids and bases. An introduction to redox reactions will be added as time allows.
This course will fulfill the UC requirement.
Co-requisite: concurrent enrollment in Geometry (P) or higher
Prerequisite: a passing grade in Physical Science or Physics 9
CHEMISTRY (H) is a challenging and fast paced sophomore level science course. In addition to the material covered in Chemistry (P), Chemistry (H) will also include organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, entropy, redox reactions, and ethics in science as well as other topics. Students will do enrichment and critical thinking assignments.
This course will fulfill the UC requirement.
Co-requisite: concurrent enrollment in Algebra II or higher
Prerequisite: an A- or higher in Physics 9 (P) or B- or higher in Physics 9(H) in Physics 9 or instructor approval.
BIOLOGY (P) is a junior level laboratory life science course. This course will cover topics including organic chemistry, biological chemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, evolution, diversity and ecology.
This course will fulfill the UC requirement.
Prerequisites: passing grades in Chemistry and Physics
BIOLOGY (H) is a junior level laboratory life science course that moves quickly and covers the areas of biochemistry, cell structure, cell functions, photosynthesis, respiration, genetics, gene expression, human genetics, evolution, animal biology, and development, as well as plant biology, genetic engineering, mathematical analysis of ecological systems and populations. Biological concepts are emphasized and reinforced. A term paper may be required, and a significant amount of out-of-class time will be required. This course includes a final exam that covers all material from both semesters.
This course will fulfill the UC requirement and is a UC approved honors course.
Co-requisite: concurrent enrollment in Math Analysis or higher
Prerequisites: successful completion of Chemistry (P) with an A- or higher or
Chemistry (H) with a B- or higher or instructor approval.
PHYSICS 12 (P) is a senior level elective laboratory science elective course. Topics covered include motion, forces, work, energy, heat, waves, light, sound and electricity and magnetism. Other topics will be introduced as time allows. This course uses an age appropriate text and it is more math based than the Physics 9 courses.
This course fulfills a third year science requirement for the UC system.
Co-requisite: concurrent enrollment in Math Analysis or higher
Prerequisites: passing grades in Chemistry and Biology
PHYSICS 12 (H)is a senior level laboratory science elective. This course is designed for students who are planning on majoring in a science in college. A college level test is used, and the pace is accelerated. Extensive time out-of-class will be required. This is a non-calculus based course, but concurrent enrollment in Calculus or Math Analysis is required. The science department faculty determines enrollment.
This course fulfills a third year science requirement for the UC system.
Co-requisite: concurrent enrollment in Math Analysis or higher
Prerequisites: Enrollment is determined by the science department faculty.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (P) is a senior level biological laboratory science course. This course consists of study of the human anatomy and physiology, pathogenic diseases and human sensory organs. Included are extensive labs in dissection and labs illustrating the unique and specialized function of each system of the human body.
This course fulfills a third year science requirement for the UC system.
Prerequisites: passing grades in Chemistry and Biology
BIOLOGY (AP) is a college level course offered to seniors. This course is equivalent to an introductory biology course taken by biology majors during the freshman year of college. Biology (AP) differs significantly from the biology courses offered to juniors. The text is a college level text and the course covers most, if not all, of the book. Significant time outside of class and dedication are required.
This course fulfills a third year science requirement for the UC system.
Prerequisites: passing grades in Chemistry and Biology. Enrollment is determined by the science department faculty.
Chemistry (AP) is designed to help students either pass the AP exam or be highly successful in college chemistry. All topics of chemistry that appear on the exam are covered.
Prerequisites: Completion of Chemistry (H) with a B or better and consent of the department chair.
Computer Applications (1 semester)
Course Description:
Computer Applications is one-semester course (5 credits) that focuses on learning Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The purpose of this course is to enable students to become computer literate and to demonstrate skills necessary to be successful in their future education. Students will learn Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and become more proficient at touch typing, and learn standard MLA formatting.
Students can take a challenge exam for this graduation requirement to open a class period for an elective. This also requires a summer school Health class, since the two one semester courses are linked together.
Computer Science A (AP)
The purpose of this class is to introduce the student to the object-oriented programming paradigm using the Java language. This course teaches students to use the standard Java library classes from the AP Java subset delineated in Appendices A and B of the AP Computer Science Course Description. Concepts such as classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, and code re-usability are studied. An in-depth study of the design, implementation, and analysis of commonly used computer algorithms is also covered.
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