Science
ICA requirement: 3 years
CSU/UC requirement: 2 years UC/CSU requires 1 year of a biological science (Biology, Physiology) and 1 year of a physical science (Physics, Conceptual Physics, Chemistry or Conceptual Chemistry). CSU will accept Conceptual Physics as a physical science.
Conceptual Physics
One Semester 9 UC/CSU
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra I or Algebra 1A/1B
How do your headphones make music? At what velocity should you kick a soccer ball if you want to score a goal? We will find answers to these and many other physics questions in this course. Topics include how and why things move, electricity and magnetism, and waves like sound and light. Students will use their newfound algebra skills as they discover basic principles of physics by experimentation. This is a college-preparatory laboratory class.
Biology
Two Semesters 10 UC/CSU
Prerequisite: Credit in Conceptual Physics
This college-preparatory laboratory course includes a general survey of biology. Cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology/diversity and physiology are emphasized. Students will learn microscopy and dissection techniques.
Honors Biology
Two Semesters 10 UC/CSU
Prerequisite: Credit in Conceptual Physics and recommendation of Conceptual Physics teacher
This college-preparatory laboratory course focuses on cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology/diversity and physiology. Students will learn microscopy and dissection techniques. Honors Biology necessarily moves at a faster pace than Biology so that students can go into greater detail and depth.
Chemistry
Two Semesters 11 UC/CSU
Prerequisite: B- or better in Biology, or C- or better in Honors Biology and 70% or better on the CPME Test, and teacher recommendation.
Topics in Chemistry include atomic and molecular structure, the periodic table, stoichiometry, chemical bonding, gas laws, acid-base chemistry and oxidation/reduction reactions. Emphasis is placed on problem-solving and making sense of experimental patterns. Note: Students who would like to take both Human Physiology and Chemistry must take both classes during their junior year. Both classes are college preparatory laboratory science classes.
Human Physiology
Two Semesters 11 UC/CSU
Prerequisite: Credit in Biology or Honors Biology
Human Physiology focuses on the structures of the human body and their functions. The survey of body systems will be supplemented with laboratory experiments and observations to demonstrate basic principles of anatomy and physiology. Note: Students who would like to take both Human Physiology and Chemistry must take both classes during their junior year. Both classes are college preparatory laboratory science classes.
Physics
Two Semesters 12 UC/CSU
Prerequisite: C- or better in Chemistry, and C- or better in Geometry and 80% or better on CPMET and teacher recommendation.
This is a college-preparatory laboratory course whose topics include acceleration, force, momentum and energy, light, sound, magnetism and electricity. Emphasis is placed on both mathematical and experimental problem-solving. Students will engineer and build a miniature bumper car that competes in a competition during the spring semester.
Conceptual Chemistry
Two Semesters 12 UC/CSU
Prerequisite: Credit in Biology or Honors Biology
This class builds students’ understanding of chemistry by direct experiment and teaches them how to make sense of patterns of behavior. The curriculum, developed at UC Berkeley, “organizes lessons around the big ideas of chemistry, framing the core concepts within everyday, real-world contexts.” The topics include alchemy, smell, weather, toxins and fire.
