Two years (20 credits) of Science are required for graduation. One year must be a biological science and one year must be a physical science.

BIOLOGY 1-2 SH
Grade: All Grades
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Pending

The curriculum and standards in this course parallels the mainstream Biology course. The teacher “shelters” the material to make it accessible to EL’s.

BIOLOGY 1-2
Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: None

Students in this course study the evolution, structure and function of micro-organisms, plants and animals through extensive lab work. While conducting these studies, basic concepts in molecular biology, genetics, physiology and ecology are explored and relationships between the human and the natural world are investigated.

BIOLOGY 1-2 AP
Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Minimum 3.0 GPA and/or teacher approval. Biology 1-2 with a
Grade of B or better and Chemistry 1-2 are strongly recommended.

This course is a challenging study of living things: ecology, anatomy and physiology, genetic continuity and the biochemistry of life processes. Extensive lab work, including the study of plants, animals, microorganisms, chemical assays, biotechnology and microscopy is conducted. Students also complete long term projects to further their understanding. A college text is used. A minimum of one hour of study per night is expected.

BIOTECHNOLOGY 1-2
Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Biology 1-2, Applied Biology1-2 with a grade of C or better
including Gene Connection unit or teacher approval.

Each semester of the biotechnology pathway fuses academic and technical training to prepare students to work in the growing biotechnology industry. The focus of Biotechnology 1 is on mastery of basic standard laboratory operating procedures. Record-keeping, safety and proper use of equipment and employee etiquette are stressed. Students learn sterile technique, cell culture, DNA and protein isolation and electrophoresis. In Biotechnology 2, students build on the skills developed in Biotechnology 1 with emphasis on essay development, spectrophotometry, recombinant DNA technology and bacterial transformation. All pathway courses have workplace experiences.

BIOTECHNOLOGY 3-4
Grade: 11-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Biotechnology 1-2 with a grade of B or better.

In this class, students build on the skills learned in Biotechnology 1 to perform advanced DNA and protein analysis. The focus of Biotechnology 3 is on pharmaceutical and agricultural biotechnology applications. Students extract and analyze DNA and proteins from plants as well as breed and genetically engineer plants. In Biotechnology 4, students conduct sophisticated diagnostic testing of protein and DNA samples, including polymerase chain reaction, DNA synthesis and sequencing and column chromatography.

APPLIED CHEMISTRY 1-2
Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes, “g” requirement only.
Prerequisite: Completion of a science, biological science preferred.

This course focuses more on the concepts of chemistry than the math. A student will investigate the many ways in which chemistry affects his/her life through the student of water, money, petroleum and air. This course meets the requirements for admission to the Universities of California (UC) under the “g” elective course list only.

CHEMISTRY 1-2
Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Algebra 1-2 with a grade of C or better.

This course helps students develop an accurate understanding of matter and energy. Topics for study include atomic and molecular structure, chemical laboratory work, experimental support of concepts, critical thinking skills and the ability to work with others.

CHEMISTRY 1-2 AP
Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Chemistry 1-2 with a grade of B or better. Completion of or
concurrent enrollment in Algebra 3-4 or approval of teacher.

This course covers chemistry in more depth and employs more mathematics to explain chemical behavior. In addition to basic chemistry topics, students study nuclear, acid-base, equilibrium, organic and electro-chemistry. Advanced labs and student-designed labs are an integral part of this course.

PHYSICS 1-2
Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 3-4.

Physics is the study of how and why things work. Why do heavy and light rocks hit the ground at the same time? What holds satellites up? Why is the sky blue? In this laboratory course students will study motion, the cause of motion, gravitation, sound, light, electricity and magnetism. Students contemplating a career in computers, science, engineering or medicine are encouraged to take physics before their senior year.

PHYSICS 1-2 AP
Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: Physics 1-2 and a minimum of enrollment in Pre-Calculus.
Concurrent enrollment in or completion of Calculus A-B preferred.

An introductory college level course designed for second year Physics students. The syllabus for AP Physics B will be followed. The first semester continues from where Physics 1-2 concluded. The second semester reviews mechanics, heat and thermodynamics. Included will be laboratory work and an emphasis on problem-solving. Major topics include: waves and sound, geometrical and physical optics, electricity and magnetism, relativity and modern physics, nuclear and atomic physics, mechanics, heat and thermodynamics. Term projects utilizing a computer and other technology will be required.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1-2 AP
Grade: 11-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
UC/CSU: Yes
Prerequisite: C or better in Biology 1-2 and a physical science (Chemistry 1-2 or Physics 1-2).

This course considers the interrelationships of the natural world and the problems, both natural and human-made, that arise in these interrelationships. Students will learn to identify and analyze environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Topics include Earth science, ecosystems, population dynamics, resource usage, pollution and global change, will be covered in detail through extensive reading. Lecture, discussion, lab work and fieldwork (some of which will be scheduled outside of regular class time). This rigorous course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester college course in environmental science.

Science Department

Sally Seebode, chair
Miguel Appleman
L'vannah Bielsker
Ashley Brainard
Ellyn Daugherty
Marvin Gin
Jimmy Ikeda
Paul Robinson
Paul Tong