Science Courses

LIFE SCIENCE

BIOLOGY OF THE LIVING EARTH 1-2 001236, 001237 Grades 9-10

Biology of the Living Earth 1-2 is a laboratory based college preparatory course that integrates the high school Life Science (LS), Earth and Space Science (ESS), and Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science (ETS) Performance Expectations (PE) from the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The fundamental concepts necessary to understand Biology have been selected from the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) of NGSS. These core ideas form the basic biological content for investigating complex real world ideas and problems. Students employ two general tools in their investigation activities: Cross Cutting Concepts (CCCs), and Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs). Students will use CCCs to make connections across seemingly disparate biological disciplines, and to connect new learning to prior experiences. SEPs guide the investigative approach to biological phenomena all the way from; a student’s introduction to the exploration and the formative and summative student assessments. The course is broken down into four learning segments, spanning content from Biology to Earth Science. Students encounter Biology through real world phenomena to heighten relevance and to emphasize that biological laws are used to describe, explain, and make predictions about all living things. Throughout the course, students will investigate with activities, experiments, demonstrations, discussions, and observations of real-world phenomena and the evaluation and analysis of published materials. Students will clearly and persuasively communicate their claims as they obtain and evaluate evidence derived from these investigations. This course meets the UC “d” Biology/Earth & Space Sciences requirement.

HONORS BIOLOGY 1-2 001228, 001229 Grades 10-12 ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY 3-4 001232, 001233

Recommended Prerequisite: Completed Chemistry

Honors Biology is a rigorous, accelerated laboratory science course that focuses on investigating major biological concepts. This class is linked with AP Biology. In addition, emphasis will be placed on the study of chemistry, physics and mathematical analysis as applied to biological systems, genetics, evolution, ecology, and physiological processes in organisms. Students will demonstrate their understanding of biological concepts by creating models, written exhibits, and compiling and presenting research on appropriate topics. This course has been approved to meet the UC “d” Laboratory Science requirement, and must be taken in conjunction with AP Bio 3-4. This class is graded on a 4.0 scale for an A.

AP Biology is intended to be equivalent to an introductory Biology course found at the freshman university level, and reflects the outline provided by the College Board. This course features an inquiry-based approach to biology’s four Big Ideas: Evolution, Energy Processes, Information, and Interactions. The aim of this course is to provide the conceptual framework and analytical skills necessary to understand and assess the rapidly growing science of biology. This course has been approved to meet the UC “d” Laboratory Science requirement.

BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 1-2 001224, 001225 Grades 10-12

Recommended Prerequisite: Chemistry 1-2

(Students can receive college credit for this course. See “Articulated Courses”.)

The Biomedical Technology 1-2 course is an advanced course built off skills from the Biology, Human Biology, and Chemistry courses to prepare students for further education and/or employment options in the Biotechnology Industry. The goal of this course is to familiarize students with the protocols, equipment, and techniques used in this field. The course will allow students to learn about biomedical research, the pharmaceutical industry, and the critical issue of bioethics. This course is aligned to PUSD and State Standards for Science. Upon completion of this class with a grade of B or higher, a student may receive articulated college credit. This course meets the UC “d” Laboratory Science requirement.

ZOOLOGY 1-2 001260, 001261 Grades 10-12

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

MARINE SCIENCE 1-2 001256, 001257 Grades 10-12

Recommended prerequisite: Completion of Biology 1-2 and Integrated Math 1

Marine Science 1-2 will give students a strong background in the ocean sciences. The course includes challenging problem-solving activities, laboratory exercises, field experiences, and class projects. The course will focus on marine geology, marine chemistry, marine physics and marine biology. This course meets the UC “d” Laboratory Science requirement.

CHEMISTRY IN THE EARTH SYSTEMS 1-2 001246, 001247 Grades 9-12

Recommended prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Integrated Math 3 and/or teacher recommendation

Chemistry in the Earth System 1-2 is a laboratory-based college preparatory science course, which will focus on major principles and concepts of chemistry. This course integrates the High School Physical Science (PS), Earth and Space Science (ESS), and Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science (ETS) Performance Expectations (PE) from the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The fundamental concepts necessary to understand chemistry have been selected from the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) of NGSS. These core ideas form the basic chemistry content for investigating complex real-world ideas and problems. Students employ two general tools in their investigation activities: Cross-Cutting Concepts (CCCs), and Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs). Students encounter chemistry through real-world phenomena to heighten relevance and to emphasize that chemical theories and laws are used to describe, explain, and make predictions about all matter and that chemistry explains processes on earth and in space. Throughout the course, students will investigate with activities, experiments, demonstrations, discussions, and observations of real-world phenomena. Students will clearly and persuasively communicate their claims as they obtain and evaluate evidence derived from these investigations. This course has been approved to meet the UC “d” requirement.

HONORS CHEMISTRY 1-2 001238, 001239 Grades 10-12 ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY 3-4 001242, 001243

Recommended Prerequisite: "A" or "B" in Honors Biology/AP Biology or "A" in Biology; concurrent enrollment in or completed Integrated Math 3, and/or teacher recommendation.

Honors Chemistry 1-2 is a rigorous, accelerated laboratory science course which will focus on major principles and concepts of chemistry. This class must be taken in conjunction with AP Chemistry. As specified by the UC requirements, this Honors course is "comparable in terms of workload and emphasis to Advanced Placement or introductory college course in Chemistry." This class is graded on a 4.0 scale for an A. This course meets the UC/CSU “d” Laboratory Science requirement.

AP Chemistry 3-4 is a college freshman level course which continues the students' study of chemistry with additional qualitative and quantitative study and lab work. This course meets the UC “d” Laboratory Science requirement.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1-2 001244, 001245 Grades 10-12

Recommended Prerequisite: Biology

AP Environmental Science is a course which will provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Students will identify and analyze environmental problems. Students will also examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing these problems. This course meets the UC “d” Laboratory Science requirement.

PHYSICS IN THE UNIVERSE 1-2 001248, 001249 Grades 9-12

Recommended Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment or completion of Integrated Math 3 Physics in the Universe 1-2 is a laboratory-based college preparatory course that integrates the high school Physical Science (PS), Earth and Space Science (ESS), and Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science (ETS) Performance Expectations (PE) from the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The fundamental concepts necessary to understand physics have been selected from the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) of NGSS. These core ideas form the basic physics content for investigating complex real world ideas and problems. Students employ two general tools in their investigation activities: Cross Cutting Concepts (CCCs), and Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs). Students will use CCCs to make connections across seemingly disparate physics disciplines, and to connect new learning to prior experiences. SEPs guide the investigative approach to physics phenomena all the way from a student’s introduction, to the exploration, and the formative and culminating student assessments. The course is broken down into five learning segments, spanning content from Physics to Earth Science and Astronomy. Students encounter physics through real world phenomena to heighten relevance and to emphasize that physical laws are used to describe, explain, and make predictions about the physical universe. This course meets the UC “d” Physics/Earth & Space Sciences requirement.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS 1A/1B 001216, 001217 Grades 10-12 ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS "C" Mechanics 1-2 001262, 001263

Recommended Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Calculus AB.

AP Physics 1A/1B is an algebra-based physics course equivalent of a first semester introductory algebra-based college course, and reflects the outline provided by the College Board. This class must be taken in conjunction with AP Physics “C” Mechanics 1-2. This course emphasizes six Big Ideas, seven Science Practices, and inquiry-based learning. The intent of this course is to foster deep conceptual understanding through student-centered, inquiry-based instruction. This course meets the UC “d” Laboratory Science requirement.

Advanced Placement Physics "C" Mechanics 1-2 places a strong emphasis on problem solving, laboratory exercises, and projects. This class will include topics involving elementary calculus. The calculus knowledge the student needs will be taught in class. This course meets the UC “d” Laboratory Science requirement.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS "C" Elec. and Mag 2A-2B 001264, 001265 Grades 10-12

Recommended Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus AB, completion of AP Physics C 1A-1B w/ teacher recommendation.
The AP Physics C 2A-2B course forms the second part of the college sequence that serves as the foundation in physics for college physics students. The topics of electricity and magnetism will be the emphasis of the course; however, other related topics may be covered. Methods of calculus will be taught and used in conjunction with the course work. Strong emphases are placed on laboratory experience and problem solving. This course may be used to meet the UC "D" or "G" requirement.