Course Descriptions

5110 Physical Science (H)

Grade Level: 9

Year Course

Prerequisite: Placement in Algebra 1H or higher

10 Credits

Reading Placement Test scores

Permission: Students not meeting the above prerequisites may be admitted with successful performance on the SM Math and English challenge tests.

UC, CSU, NCAA

Physical Science (H) covers basic concepts of physics and chemistry. It is intended to provide students with the skills to excel in those subjects in later years. Unlike 5120 and 5130, Physical Science (H) assumes significant previous science background including some laboratory experience. The goal is to teach students to carry out experiments, collect meaningful and useful data and to draw valid conclusions from those data. Topics include the use and conversions of standard SI units, basic kinematics and Newton's Laws, potential and kinetic energy, simple mechanics, characteristic properties of pure substances, chemical and physical changes, the particle theory of matter and chemical reactions.

5120 Physical Science

Grade Level: 9

Year Course

Prerequisite: Placement in Algebra 1, and Reading

10 Credits

Placement Test Scores

Permission: Students placed in 5130 can petition to move to 5120, based on written recommendation from the 8th grade teacher and placement test scores. Those wishing to move up from 5130 should prove evidence of self-motivation and good cooperative learning skills.

UC, CSU, NCAA

Physical Science covers topics divided approximately evenly between physics and chemistry. Topics include: use and conversions of standard SI units, basic kinematics and Newton's Laws, potential and kinetic energy, characteristic properties of pure substances, chemical and physical changes, and the particle theory of matter. Basic algebraic skills will be needed. A primary goal is the development of laboratory skills through heavy emphasis on experimentation. Please also read the description of Physical Science B, which follows.

5130 Physical Science B

Grade Level: 9

Year Course

Prerequisite: Placement is automatic for students not assigned to 5110 or 5120.

10 Credits

UC, CSU, NCAA

The topics covered and the emphasis on experimentation are essentially the same as described for Physical Science. Along with reduced reliance on mathematic skills, Science 9B is designed to fit the learning style of students for whom a more structured classroom environment is desirable. In 9B the teacher will provide a greater measure of direction and guidance, and if necessary, the pace can be adjusted to meet the students' needs. Like Physical Science, experimentation will be central to the curriculum of 9B. Students are expected to learn to use the equipment, make observations, collect data and make reasonable interpretation of results. This is a core science class; students who successfully complete Science 9B with a B or better or teacher recommendation will be given full consideration for promotion to Biology 5220.

5210 Biology (H)

Grade Level: 10

Year Course

Prerequisite: B- or better in Science 9H or  A- or better in Science 9A

10 Credits

Permission: Recommendation of 5120 or 5110 Teacher

UC, CSU, NCAA

An accelerated biology course offered to honors level students; Biology Honors covers the same topics as 5220, but in greater depth and at a faster rate. The molecular and cellular approach is emphasized. It is presumed that students will be able to read and understand the text material. Students will write research papers and design and conduct experiments. This course will have a weighted grade.

5220 Biology

Grade Level: 10

Year Course

Prerequisite: D or better in Science 5120 or C+ or better and teacher recommendation in 5130; Required of all who are not enrolled in 5210 or 5230.

10 Credits

Permission: Teacher Recommendation

UC, CSU, NCAA

This is a traditional college-prep biology course which lays the foundation common to the study of biology: the scientific method, cell structure and function, genetics, and evolutionary theory. The course also concentrates on classification of organisms, moving from the simple to the complex, and their importance to man as a member of an ecological environment. Laboratory investigations and

problem solving strategies are an integral part of this course.

5230 Biology B

Grade Level: 10

Year Course

Prerequisite: None

10 Credits

Permission: Teacher Recommendation

UC, CSU, NCAA

This laboratory science class is designed to introduce students to basic concepts in biology. Ecology, cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, classification, and plant and animal structure will be studied and investigated in a laboratory setting. (Note: Students must pass either 5210, 5220, or 5230 in order to meet graduation requirements.)

5313 Sports Medicine

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

Semester Course

Prerequisite: B or better in Biology

5 Credits

Permission: None

UC, CSU

This course is designed to provide a challenging academic experience for students interested in sports medicine, athletic training, physical therapy, nursing or any other related medical field. Students will be exposed to the following units of study: 1) detailed anatomical and biomechanical study of the major regions of the body; 2) specific medical conditions and injuries in sport; 3) scientific principles and techniques of injury evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention.

5510 Biology (AP)*

Grade Level: 11, 12

Year Course

Prerequisite: A in Biology 5220 or B or better in

10 Credits

Biology H 5210. Students must have achieved B or better in Chemistry 5580 or 5550 or concurrent enrollment in 5580/5550.

Permission: Recommendation by the Biology and Chemistry teacher

UC, CSU, NCAA

This second year biology course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college biology course, taken by the freshmen students majoring in biology. The AP Biology course covers the following topics: molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, organisms and population ecology. The textbook used is a collegelevel biology text and the labs done are equivalent to those performed by college students. Students will be required to spend two (2) additional hours per week for laboratory work.

*This course is approved by the University of California for a weighted grade.

5550 Chemistry (H)*

Grade Level: 11, 12

Year Course

Prerequisites: A- or better in all semesters of mathematics as well as completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or higher (B- in Honors) and an A- in each previous semester of science (B- in Honors).

10 Credits

Permission: Biology Instructor

UC, CSU, NCAA

This is an accelerated, comprehensive course of study in chemical concepts and laboratory work, with an appropriate degree of college-level sophistication. All essential concepts in both inorganic and organic chemistry will be covered. Students will encounter a wider range of concepts at a higher level than is possible with the traditional college-prep class. The extensive breadth and depth of topics will require a significantly higher level of sophistication than is encountered in the core courses. In particular, the treatment of reactions and reaction mechanisms, as well as chemical equilibrium, will be more sophisticated. The laboratory program will emphasize the use of technology. Students will be expected to

acquire the basic concepts by reading the text. Lecture will be devoted primarily to expanding on text material.

*This course is approved by the University of California for a weighted grade.

5630 Anatomy & Physiology

Grade Level: 11, 12

Year Course

Prerequisites: C- or better in all previous science classes

10 Credits

Permission: Biology Instuctor

UC, CSU, NCAA

This course provides students with advanced studies and activities in the structures and functions of the components of the human body. The content includes the chemical basis of life, cells and cellular metabolism, tissues, the skin and integumentary system, the skeletel system, the muscular system, the nervous system, special sensory organs, the endocrine system, blood and the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the lymphatic system and immunity, the digestive system, and nutrition, the excretory (urinary) system with emphasis on homeostasis, the reproductive system, and pregnancy, growth and development. Laboratory investigations and problem solving strategies are an integral part of the course as well as mastery of anatomical terminology.

5570 Chemistry (AP)*

Grade Level: 11, 12

Year Course

Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry (H) 5550 with B+ or better, or Chemistry 5580 with an A.

10 Credits

Permission: Permission of instructor is required of those who do not meet the prerequisites.

UC, CSU, NCAA

This is a college-level course, taught from a college text, at college pace. The class will meet 5 days per week, from 7-8:00 a.m., with Fridays being lab days. It is expected that all those who achieve a grade of B or better will sit for the College Board Advanced Placement Chemistry examination at the end of the

school year. There must be a minimum number of students enrolled for this class to be offered.

 *This course is approved by the University of California for a weighted grade.

5580 Chemistry

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

Year Course

Prerequisites: B- or better in all semesters of science and mathematics including Algebra 1 and Geometry (C- if Honors) and completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2.

10 Credits

Permission: Biology Instructor

UC, CSU, NCAA

A traditional college-prep chemistry course, Chem 5580 follows a standard problem-solving approach and provides a full laboratory experience. Chem 5580 is intended for students who plan to enter a science-related field, and/or who have a solid background in mathematics. 5590 Chemistry in the Community

5560 Physics

Grade Level 11, 12

Year Course

Prerequisites: C- or better in all semesters of mathematics, including Algebra 1 and Geometry, C- or better in each previous semester of science, completion with a C- or better or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or higher.

10 Credits

UC, CSU, NCAA

This chemistry course follows a conceptual problem-solving approach. Chem Com is not recommended for students who intend a science-related major. ChemCom satisfies the UC lab science requirement.

5590 Chemistry in the Community

Grade Level: 11, 12

Year Course

Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment

10 Credits

in Pre-calculus 3420 or Pre-calculus H 3320, B- or better in all semesters of mathematics (C- if Honors).

UC, CSU, NCAA

This course is intended for those college-bound students who intend to major in a science-related field. Topics covered include Dynamics, Newtonian Mechanics, Energy, Rotational Motion, Thermal Physics, waves and sound, Optics, Electricity and Magnetism. Emphasis will be placed on application of problem-solving skills to the concepts covered. This is the traditional laboratory physics, and relies to large extent on computer-interfaced experimentation.

5620 Conceptual Physics

Grade Level: 11, 12

Year Course

Prerequisiites: Algebra 1 and Geometry with grade of B- or better, completion with a C- or better of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2.

10 Credits

UC, CSU, NCAA

This course deals with the same concepts as are covered in 5560, but the emphasis is on understanding and application. Although mathematics is reduced, the student should have a strong understanding of Algebra. Conceptual physics is designed to fit the needs of those college bound students who want a background in physics, but who do not intend to major in physical science or engineering.

*This class is approved by the University of California for a weighted grade.