SCIENCE
2008-2009
Three units of science are
required for graduation, including one full unit of Biology I.
All entering 9th-grade
students will be enrolled in either Physical Science or Biology I
Honors. When those students advance to
10th grade, those who took Physical Science will then take Biology
I; those who took Biology I Honors will then take Chemistry I Honors (or
Physical Science if leaving the honors track).
All 10th grade students must enroll in a science class. Students must re-enroll in any semesters of
Biology I for which they have not earned credit.
Honors/AP Courses
Honors classes (9, 10), and
AP classes (11, 12) are offered to those students who qualify through performance
in courses leading to the Honors or Advanced Placement classes. The classes are designed for those who score
at or above the 80th percentile on standardized achievement tests in reading,
math, and/or science, or who have shown superior performance in previous traditional
science courses. Teacher/counselor
recommendations are considered. ENTRY/EXIT
POLICY: In placing students, consideration
will be given to student performance in the current science class, with
teacher/counselor recommendation. Honors
students may be rescheduled to corresponding traditional classes based on poor
performance and after evaluation by the teacher/counselor, parent, and administration. An honors class may be taken later after it
is apparent the student can handle more demanding work. Please note that there is no corresponding
traditional class at the Mid-High for Chemistry I Honors, so students
may NOT exit that Honors course except during the regular schedule change period
at the start of a semester.
Biology I/Lab
Course
Number: 5031
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 10
Prerequisite: None
Biology I is a high school-level course which uses
a lab-oriented hands-on approach to present essential facts and concepts that
constitute a comprehensive biology course.
Topics covered include energy and matter transfer, stability and equilibrium,
patterns of change/cycles, and structure and function.
Biology I Honors/Lab
Course
Number: 5033
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 9
Prerequisite:
(1) Recommend students achieve a ‘B’ or better in 8th grade science, (2)
Teacher recommendation for honors program, (3) Recommend scores or of above 80%
on reading achievement.
Honors Biology is an
in-depth, systematic approach to the study of living organisms. Due to the rapid expansion of knowledge in
this field, study will be accelerated so that not only text content will be
covered but also current research and development. The major topics covered are: study of living organisms, cells, continuity
of life, history and diversity of life, viruses and monera,
protista and fungi, plants, invertebrates, human
biology, and ecology.
Emphasis
is placed on the mastery of the vocabulary of biology. Students will maintain a biology
notebook. Students are required to
present a representative insect collection, current news articles, and a research
paper. Microscope work and lab
dissections are an integral component of this course. The laboratory aspect of Biology I Honors
will be tested with comprehensive semester lab applications.
Guest
lecturers and visiting scientists that complement the curriculum are used to
give students a first-hand experience of science in our community. Science
Fair Project Required, including participation in the District Fair, held on a
Saturday in the spring.
Biology II AP/Lab
Course
Number: 5032
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite:
(1) Recommend a ‘B’ or better in all semesters of Biology I and Chemistry
I, (2) A desire for further in-depth study of advanced
Biology
Biology II AP follows the currently recommended
outline published by the College Board.
Biology II AP is a college-level course taken at the high school
setting. This AP course will encompass
the following in detail: biochemical and
cellular basis of life, cell organization, energy transformation, nutrient
procurement, transport and processing, genetics, evolution, ecology, animal
behavior, and botany. Dissections may be
performed, but are not a major component of this course. Biology II AP is designed for the student who
plans to major in biology, chemistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry,
nursing or other health career. Students
are required to do a self-directed research project that involves developing
and conducting experiments and writing a scientific paper over their research
project. Additional laboratory time is
required. Students are encouraged to
take the College Board’s Advanced Placement Exam in Biology.
Anatomy and Physiology/Lab
Course
Number: 5220
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite:
(1) Recommend a ‘B’ or better in Biology I, (2) Recommend a ‘C’ or
better in Chemistry I/ChemCom, or currently enrolled
This full-year course is an in-depth study of human
anatomy and physiology. It includes a
systematic review of the integumentary, skeletal,
muscular, nervous, reproductive, endocrine, digestive, immune, and circulatory
systems. Labs involving comparative
study of cells, tissues, and organs are incorporated into the curriculum to
supplement and enhance learning. Labs
involving detailed dissections of either cow or sheep eyes, brains, hearts, and kidneys will be performed. Other dissections, such as fetal pigs or
rabbits, may be included if time allows.
Major human muscle groups and blood vessels will be studied using modeling
clay, sculpted to a specialized human model.
In addition, current topics in the fields of medicine and health will be
researched using the Internet and other media.
From this research, students will do PowerPoint presentations,
brochures, oral presentations, or topical papers (3-4 pages).
Environmental Science/Lab
Course
Number: 5120
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Environmental Science is a
full-year study of the interrelationships between organisms and their physical
surroundings focusing on the effects man has within the worldwide ecosystem. This course provides students with knowledge
to evaluate choices that can reduce the negative impact man has made on the environment
and optimize worldwide living standards.
The course emphasizes the development of scientific principles, which
allow students to identify and analyze environmental problems and associated
risks. Students also examine solutions that can resolve/prevent ecological problems
through critical and creative thinking skills.
Physical Science/Lab
Course
Number: 5213
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 9
Prerequisite: None
Physical Science is a
laboratory course designed to be an introduction to the basic concepts of chemistry
and physics. Since most students take a
chemistry course during their junior or senior year of high school, Physical
Science spends approximately 3/4 of the school year on physics and 1/4 of the
year on chemistry concepts. Physics is
the study of interactions between matter and energy, and includes topical
studies in motion, electricity, sound, and heat. Chemistry is the study of the properties, classification,
and structure of matter.
Chemistry I Honors/Lab
Course
Number: 5054
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 10
Prerequisite:
(1) Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II OR a 4.0 grade
point average in Algebra I with recommendation from the Algebra I teacher &
concurrent enrollment in Geometry, (2) Biology I
This course is designed as
a comprehensive, theoretical chemistry course with a systematic study of the
periodicity of chemical elements, the quantum mechanical model, chemical
bonding, and stoichiometry. Emphasis is placed on the inquiry approach to
science and proper record keeping in a personal chemistry notebook/journal. It is
a requirement of this course to complete an independent, experimental
scientific research project and enter it into the District Science Fair
or another, comparable competition.
Chemistry I/Lab
Course
Number: 5053
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite:
(1) Algebra I with a ‘B’ or better in both semesters OR completion of or
concurrent enrollment in Algebra II OR approval from a math teacher, (2)
Successful completion of Biology I
Chemistry I is designed to
prepare students for taking chemistry at the college level. The approach is more mathematical and
theoretical than ChemCom. Emphasis is placed on the atomic molecular theory,
laboratory experiences, and reporting techniques. Calculators are extensively used.
ChemCom/Lab
Course Number: 5051
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Algebra I (minimum),
Biology I
ChemCom means "Chemistry in
the Community." It is a model chemistry
program developed by the American Chemical Society with funding from the
National Science Foundation. The program
is aimed at college-bound liberal arts majors (non-science or engineering) and
is not remedial in nature. In ChemCom, the theory is presented in order to study typical
everyday problems. Units studied may
include the chemistry of water, natural resources, petroleum, biochemistry,
air, and nuclear chemistry. A three-ring binder is recommended.
Chemistry II AP/Lab
Course
Number: 5052
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite:
Chemistry I Honors or approval from Chemistry I teacher, Algebra II, or
instructor approval
This course follows the
recommended course outline published by the College Board. Chemistry II AP is a college-level course
taken at the high school setting. The
college-level approach differs significantly from the first course in chemistry
in the textbook used, range and depth of topic covered, and the kinds of laboratory
work done by students as well as the time and effort required for a successful
experience at the AP level. Lectures and
investigations will involve a higher level of mathematical application. Emphasis will be placed on development and
use of critical thinking skills. Students
are encouraged to take College Board’s Advanced Placement Exam in Chemistry.
Physics Inquiry/Lab
Course
Number: 5211
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite:
One or more units in science, recommend ‘B’ or better in Algebra I
This course is an in-depth study, centered in lab
experience, of the physical world.
Central themes are the properties and interrelationships of matter and
energy. Topics include: motion in a
straight line, graphical analysis of motion, vectors, falling objects,
projectile motion,
Physics B AP/Lab
Course
Number: 5212
Semesters: 2
Grade
Level: 12 (11 with instructor
permission)
Prerequisite:
One or more units in science, completion of College Algebra/Trigonometry
or Pre-Calculus Pre-AP OR may be concurrently enrolled with instructor
approval
Physics B AP is a
college-level course taken in the high school setting and follows the
recommended course outline published by the College Board for the trigonometry-based
Physics B test. The course is
appropriate for the advanced math/science student who is considering a major in
the sciences or engineering. Students
will learn to apply math principles to scientific theory. Class topics will
include kinematics, dynamics, energy, and electricity and magnetism. Optional studies of thermodynamics, wave
mechanics, geometric optics, and modern physics will also be offered.
Students who complete this course and attend 4th
quarter night lectures are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Physics B
Exam. A calculator and three-ring binder are required.