Science

Biology (Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12)

Year Course

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

This course includes the nature of scientific investigation, the history of biological concepts, the relationship of organisms to the environment, the function of animal physiology, and an overview of evolution. This course may also include a biotechnology unit. This course is required for all students wishing to enter a UC or CSU institution.

Biology EL (Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12)

AP Biology (Grades 11 and 12)

Year Course

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: “A” in Biology, “A” in Chemistry, or teacher recommendation

Advanced Placement (AP) Biology is a second-year elective class in Biology. It is a college preparatory course and fulfills one year of the CSU/UC lab requirements. Additionally, students will complete all labs and requirements mandated by the College Board. The course is highly recommended for students who will be studying a biological science in college.

Biotechnology 1-2 or BTEC 400 at Skyline College (Grades 10, 11, and 12)

Year Course

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Dual Enrollment Eligibility (Skyline College)

Prerequisite: Biology

Biotechnology 1 and 2 is a one-year laboratory course with dual enrollment at Skyline Community College that is designed to give students an introduction to the scientific concepts and basic laboratory research techniques currently used in the field of biotechnology. First semester starts with a focus on mastering standard laboratory operating procedures, communication skills, record-keeping through a laboratory notebook, safety, and the proper use of equipment. Over the course of the year, students will learn about growing bacteria cells, using a microscope, DNA and protein isolation, and genetic engineering. Through extensive research and laboratory experience, students will also evaluate career opportunities in the field.

Biotechnology 3-4 or BTEC 170 and 171 at Skyline College (Grades 11 and 12)

Year Course

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Dual Enrollment Eligibility (Skyline College)

Prerequisite: Biotechnology 1 and 2

Biotechnology 3 and 4 is a one-year laboratory course with dual enrollment at Skyline Community College that is designed to provide students with ongoing exposure to scientific concepts and sophisticated laboratory research techniques that are currently used in the field of biotechnology. Students will continue to develop their laboratory skills, record-keeping systems, critical thinking, and reading and communication skills. In laboratory experiments, students will focus on elevating and mastering Biotechnology 1 and 2 concepts as well as exploring plant biology, agricultural biotechnology, and pharmaceutical development. Students will explore applications of biotechnology ranging from bioremediation, plant hybridization, bioinsecticides, and human therapeutics. Students will also continue to evaluate and explore career opportunities in the field.

Biotechnology 5-6 or BTEC 484 and 486 at Skyline College (Grade 12)

Year Course (SSFHS only)

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Dual Enrollment Eligibility (Skyline College)

Prerequisite: Biotechnology 3-4 and 5-6 OR consent of instructor

Biotechnology Independent Research is a research-orientated laboratory class designed to promote discovery of novel bacterial viruses (phages). Students work in teams to conduct research projects that incorporate microbiology, virology, molecular biology, and the use of bioinformatics tools and computational analysis software. First semester emphasis is on hypothesis-driven research on phage biology, reading and understanding scientific literature, and improving critical thinking skills by evaluating hypotheses and identifying sources of errors. The second semester will focus on quantitative data analysis, viral genome annotation, and presentation skills. At the end of the course, students will produce a seminar-style presentation and a research paper describing their research project.

Chemistry (Grades 10, 11, and 12)

Chemistry Honors (Grades 10 and 11)

Year Course

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: “A” in Biology, completion of Geometry, and concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2

This course is a college preparatory lab science course utilizing experimentation to introduce the principles of chemistry. Both experiments and principles are emphasized through discussion and problem solving. This course offers a study of the nature of matter, atomic theory, the states of matter, kinetic theory, chemical bonding, properties of solution, acids and bases, chemical reactions, ionization, equations, and chemical calculations. Honors Chemistry demands a more detailed and in depth understanding of the subject matter.

AP Chemistry (Grades 11 and 12)

Year Course (offered bi-annually)

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: “A” in Chemistry or “B” in Chemistry Honors, concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2

The AP Chemistry course provides students with training for such knowledge and skills through guided inquiry labs, a focused curriculum on content relevant to today's problems, and an exam that assesses students' mental models of the particulate nature of matter instead of memorization of rules to understand chemistry. The AP Chemistry course is designed to be taken only after the successful completion of either Chemistry or Chemistry Honors.

Earth Science (Grades 10, 11, and 12)

Year Course

Fulfills “G” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

This course is designed to fulfill the physical science requirement for high school graduation. Earth Science is a college preparatory course designed to provide students with quantitative analysis and experimentation tools to develop students' scientific and critical thinking skills, broad-base background and appreciation of our ever-changing planet and its place in the universe, and extensive preparation and comprehensive coordination between botany, mineralogy, meteorology, astronomy, physics, and the Earth sciences.

Earth Science EL (Grades 10, 11, and 12)

Human Anatomy and Physiology (Grades 11 and 12)

Year Course

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry

Human Anatomy and Physiology is a college preparatory lab science elective course for students interested in a career that requires an understanding of the basic principles of biology and human physiology. This course is recommended for those students who will be seeking additional education in the biological sciences and especially those students interested in vocations in the medical field.

Marine Science (Grades 11 and 12)

Year Course

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, or Earth Science

Marine Science is a college preparatory lab science elective course meeting UC and CSU lab science requirements. It is intended for students seeking additional education or careers in oceanography or environmental or ecological science. Students will experience field work through data collection and analysis of local species. This course is intended to unify the fundamental concepts of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Physics (Grades 11 and 12)

Year Course

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Precalculus, Chemistry

Physics is a college preparatory lab science course that allows students to learn the principles of physics through a wide variety of laboratory experiments and projects. The main topics covered in physics are forces and motion, conservation of energy and momentum, heat and thermodynamics, waves, and electricity and magnetic phenomena. The course is intended to complete the trilogy of fundamental science, which includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

AP Physics 1 (Grades 11 and 12)

Year Course

Fulfills “D” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in Precalculus, “B” in Chemistry, “B” in Algebra 2

AP Physics 1 fulfills one semester of the CSU/UC lab requirement. This course is an algebra-based, introductory, college-level physics course where students use inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics in Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory electrical circuits. This class is highly recommended for students who will be studying science in college.