Science

4201   CP Biology
Year Course - Freshmen - Required for graduation
This introductory laboratory science course covers the basic concepts of biology. Topics included in class study are cell structure, chemistry of the cell, genetics, and classification and in-depth comparisons of living organisms.

4302   CP Chemistry
Year Course - Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors - Elective
Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 with a C- or better.
This year-long laboratory course studies the topics: of atomic theory, atomic and molecular structure, thermodynamics, stoichiometry, states of matter, nomenclature of inorganic compounds, chemical reactions, chemical bonding, solutions, equilibrium, and acids and bases. This course provides a fundamental foundation of the knowledge required for further study in the sciences. Algebra skills are used often in this class

4405   CP Physics
Year Course – Juniors/Seniors - Elective
Prerequisites: A minimum of B- in Algebra 2 AND a C or better in any level of Chemistry OR Teacher Approval.
CP Physics is an introductory, year-long laboratory science course in which students examine the most fundamental concepts of matter, motion, energy, and force. The course explores kinematics (motion) & dynamics (forces), the laws of conservation of energy and linear momentum, mechanical waves, and electricity & magnetism (E&M). Students engage with content through guided inquiry & lessons, cooperative learning, laboratory activities, demonstrations, and computer simulations. Course content is aligned to the first year of algebra, and students who succeed have strong skills in mathematics. Laboratory work and mathematical reasoning are the tools used to aid students’ understanding and new appreciation of the physical world.

4151   HP Biology
Year Course – Freshmen
Prerequisites: Selection for Honors Placement.
In this laboratory science course, you develop the skills to help you more fully understand the nature of living things. You will study cell structure and function, homeostasis, cell transport, biochemistry, macromolecules, genetics, cell reproduction, plant structure, DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, classification of living things (including dissections), photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Throughout the course, you will practice scientific inquiry into the living world.

4352   HP Chemistry
Year Course – Sophomores/Juniors - Elective
Prerequisites: B- or better in HP Biology AND CP/ HP Algebra 1; MUST be concurrent enrollment in or have completed a year of CP/HP Algebra 2/Trig or HP Geometry.
This course is a fast-paced, rigorous introduction to the study of matter and how it behaves. Topics include atomic theory, inorganic nomenclature, chemical reactions and stoichiometry, quantum mechanics, chemical bonding, gases, solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics, chemical equilibrium, and nuclear chemistry. The course includes lecture-based instruction, demonstrations, and laboratory experiments. Students will use critical thinking and complex strategies in problem-solving as they learn about the matter around them and how it behaves. Strong skills in algebra are necessary to be successful in this course.

4455   HP Physics
Year Course – Juniors/Seniors - Elective
Prerequisites: 3.0 weighted academic GPA AND MUST be concurrently enrolled in or have completed a year of Precalculus.
HP (Honors) Physics is an introductory, year-long laboratory course which explores mechanics, projectile motion, energy, wave motion, sound, electricity & magnetism (E&M), circuits, and modern physics. Students will learn through lessons, demonstrations, laboratory activities, computer simulations, & other multimedia. Course content is aligned to Pre-Calculus concurrent enrollment, and students who succeed in this course have strong skills in mathematics.

4384   AP Biology
Year Course - Juniors/Seniors - Elective
Prerequisites: B- or better in HP Biology AND HP Chemistry OR Teacher Approval.
A second-year biology course for honors-level science students. Students should have previously taken honors biology and honors chemistry. This course provides students with the framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. Topics include molecules and cells, heredity and evolution including molecular genetics, the diversity of organisms, the structure and function of plants, and animals, and ecology. The class will facilitate the student’s preparation for the AP exam.

4485   AP Chemistry
Year Course – Juniors/Seniors - Elective
Prerequisites: B- or better in HP Chemistry AND CP/HP Algebra 2/Trig OR A- or better in CP Chemistry and HP Algebra 2/Trig WITH Teacher Approval.
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a second-year course in chemistry for honors-level science students. Students should have previously taken honors biology and honors chemistry. Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry is an intensive laboratory course requiring mastery of the material of a college-level chemistry course. The class will facilitate the student’s preparation for the AP exam in May.

4487   AP Environmental Science
Year Course – Juniors/Seniors - Elective
Prerequisites: B- or better in both HP Biology AND HP Chemistry OR A- or better in CP Biology AND CP Chemistry WITH Teacher Approval.
The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. The class will facilitate the student’s preparation for the AP exam.

4486   AP Physics C: Mechanics
Year Course - Seniors - Elective
Prerequisites: B or better in CP Physics or C or higher in HP Physics AND MUST be concurrently enrolled in or have completed a year of Calculus.
Students can bypass HP/CP Physics to take AP Physics C with the approval of the AP Physics Instructor. However, concurrent enrollment in or completion of Calculus is still required.
AP Physics C: Mechanics is an introductory, college-level course in the scientific study of motion. Students will explore a multitude of mechanical concepts including inertia, conservation of energy, conservation of linear and angular momentum, simple harmonic motion, and Newton’s laws of gravitation. Laboratory activities include the exploration of Newton’s laws through rockets, determination of the acceleration due to gravity, exploration of linear and angular momentum, collisions in one dimension, and simple harmonic motion demonstrations. Course content is aligned to concurrent enrollment in Calculus and students who succeed in this course have strong skills in mathematics.

4301   CP Anatomy & Physiology
Year Course – Sophomore/Junior/Senior - Elective
Prerequisite: One year of laboratory science.
This is an in-depth laboratory science course specializing in the structure and functions of human life systems. Topics studied include cells and tissues, skin and membranes, the skeletal system, the muscular system, the nervous system, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the urinary system, and the reproductive system.

4303   CP Physical Science
Year Course – Sophomore/Junior/Senior - Elective
Prerequisite: A student with a grade of C or better in chemistry or physics is not permitted to enroll in this course.
Physical Science is an in-depth laboratory course designed to help the student survey the realm of physics and chemistry. The fundamental components of the physical world are studied. This course is structured to combine lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and student laboratory exercises.
This course is not a UC-approved lab science.

4315 CP Marine Sciences
Year Course – Sophomore/Junior/Senior Elective
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology with a grade of C or better.
This laboratory lab science course studies the relationships between the physical marine environment and the organisms that live there. Topics studied in this course are the chemical and physical features of the ocean, invertebrates, fish, mammals, ecology, and ecosystems native to the marine environment.

4322 Criminology & Forensic Science
Year Course – Juniors/Seniors - Elective
Prerequisites: Completion of Biology
Students will explore biology and earth science through the lens of crime-solving. They will learn to identify, collect, preserve, and analyze physical evidence, simulating the roles of public saftey professionsals. The course emphasizes the scientific principles behind evidence preservation and the impact of biogeological processes. The course will encompass activities designed to integrate scientific principles with legal applications.