The honors course differs from the non-honors course in that each topic is covered in more detail, at a faster pace, and with greater mathematical rigor.
Physics (Physical Science)
Physics is the scientific study of the most fundamental laws of nature. This course aims to further develop students’ appreciation for and competence in the scientific method. This course also aims to develop students’ conceptual and quantitative understanding of physical principles. Students perform experiments to develop proficiency in laboratory technique in applying physical principles to the analysis of experimental data. Units of study in this course include motion, Newton’s Laws, collisions, energy, thermodynamics, waves, sound, light, fundamental particles of nature, radioactivity, quantum mechanics, and electricity and magnetism.
Science Teaching Assistant
Science teaching assistants provide support for the science department (1 hour/week) either before school, after school, or during resource period in one or more of the following ways:
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- Lab Assistant – assist with the setup and cleanup of science labs
- Peer Assistant – assist students taking introductory biology, chemistry, or physics
- Teacher Assistant – assist with grading assignments that require no teacher interpretation
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Students interested in being a TA are required to fill out a short application available from the science department chair. Teaching assistants will be selected based on department needs and student qualifications. In some cases, students taking AP science courses will have priority in being a TA due to their qualifications in offering peer assistance.
*Taken as an independent study with the guidance of science teacher
AP Biology (Life Science)
The AP Biology course is equivalent in content, depth, and complexity to an introductory biology course at the college level. This course is designed to prepare the student to excel on the AP exam offered in May, and follows the AP curriculum. AP Biology is an in-depth, content-intensive study of biological principles that allows students the opportunity to engage hands-on in scientific experimentation. Units of study include but are not limited to evolution and natural selection, the chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cellular energetics, cell communication and the cell cycle, heredity, gene expression and regulation, and ecology. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May. Students are required to complete an assignment over the summer due on the first day of school.
Corequisite – Students enrolling in this course must also enroll in the corresponding AP Science Laboratory course, which meets once per week for 50 minutes outside of the regular bell schedule. Meetings will occur before or after school.
* Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Astronomy (Physical Science)
Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena. This course allows a student to apply fundamental concepts learned in biology, chemistry, and physics to new problems in astronomy. Units of study include the apparent motion of the sky, the characteristics of the planets and moons of our solar system, the properties and evolution of stars, the structure and behavior of galaxies, the Big Bang and early universe, and exotic and exciting concepts such as black holes, pulsars, extrasolar planets, curved spacetime, dark matter, and dark energy. A handful of nighttime observation sessions are recommended.
*This course is offered as an on-line class.
NOTE: For the 2024-2025 academic year, this course will be offered 8th period.
Human Anatomy and Physiology (Life Science)
The focus of this course is the scientific study of the human body and its major components and systems. This course offers students a hands-on approach to learning through laboratory work (including preserved animal and organ dissections), student multimedia presentations, independent student research, case studies and field studies. Units of study include: levels of organization; body support and movement; communication and control; fluids and transport; homeostatic balance; human development; and the interrelationships between body systems.
Biotechnology (Physical or Life Science)
The course will focus on concepts of molecular biology and common bio-tech lab skills. Students will develop a deep understanding of the central dogma of Biology by learning about DNA, RNA, proteins and the techniques scientists use to study Molecular Biology. This course will have a strong focus on inquiry-based learning, labs, and student-directed projects that will require students to learn and use responsible academic research practices. Students will also integrate basic mathematical skills through data analytics. Additionally, students will explore the ethical considerations that stem from modern techniques seen in medicine and the biotech industry. This course is for a broad range of students who wish to pursue a course of study in science or who just have curiosity for biology at the cellular level.
Journalism
Journalism is a year-long 8th period course in which students will learn the skills necessary to serve as Managing Editors for the school newspaper of St. Ignatius, Inside SI. The primary objective of this class is the publishing of six issues of Inside SI. As such, students will be involved in editorial decisions, including determining content, supervising reporters in their section (Affinity, Arts, Feature, Humor, Op-Ed, Outside SI News, SI News, Sports, and Spotlight), writing articles, editing, and suggesting lay out for pages in each issue. Students enrolled in this course will practice effective collaboration skills (both on-line and in-person) and will work to ensure Inside SI reflects the diverse and unique voices of all members of the SI community. Credit for this class will be included in the SI GPA calculation.
Enrollment in the class is subject to Moderator Approval. Individuals who apply for and are accepted as Managing Editors the previous Spring semester will be enrolled by the moderators during the Fall semester of the school year. Students will meet regularly each week.
*This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day, 8th period ONLY : This class meets weekly to discuss journalism topics and conduct planning for issues. During the two weeks prior to each issue’s production, students will meet every day after school for approximately 3 hours.
Advanced Yearbook Design and Publication A/B
The Ignatian is the yearbook of St. Ignatius College Preparatory, published annually and distributed to all students and staff. Yearbook Design and Publication is a challenging course in which the primary objective is for students to create and produce a yearbook that documents the unique history of a school year. This course provides students the opportunity to develop and improve leadership and collaboration skills, compassionately tackle social justice issues and the nuances of equity and inclusion, strengthen their analytical and problem solving skills, enhance communication skills, work with advanced technology, and take on tremendous responsibility while working under multiple hard deadlines. Yearbook students learn and practice the fundamentals of theme development, journalistic writing, photojournalism, graphic design, and distribution management. Yearbook students act as ambassadors to all members of the school community, working together to ensure that each of the diverse and unique voices at St. Ignatius is represented in a thoughtful, creative, and original way in the yearbook. Yearbook students will instruct, schedule, and supervise staff members working in each section of the yearbook (Academics, Arts, Athletics, Clubs, Freshman, Junior, Photography, Senior, Sophomore, Spirituality, Student Life, Writing). Yearbook students will be required to attend regular meetings, as well as to photograph events outside of school.
Selected students enrolled in the Advanced course will develop the annual yearbook theme in consultation with the moderator(s) and principal, design the cover and endsheets in consultation with the publisher’s art department, build the yearbook ladder and index, liase with publisher representative(s) and technical support staff from Varsity Yearbooks, and solicit feedback on and approval of all pages from selected adults in the St. Ignatius community, making suggested corrections before the pages are submitted to the publisher. Students enrolled in the Advanced course may be required to attend additional meetings during the school year and yearbook camp during the summer before enrollment.
This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day, 8th period ONLY
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- First Year Taken: ADVANCED YEARBOOK DESIGN AND PUBLICATION A (9425)
- Second Year Taken: ADVANCED YEARBOOK DESIGN AND PUBLICATION B (9426) – This course will NOT be included in the SI GPA calculation.
Mixed Chorus A
This course is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students will be introduced to good practice procedures for choral rehearsal and to an awareness of different styles of choral music. Student achievement will involve study of sight-singing, notation, phrasing, rhythm, harmony and musical terminology. Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time. Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Ensembles will perform at concerts and choral festivals.
This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 1 evening per week, plus performances.
One Semester; offered after school/evenings ONLY
First Semester Taken: Mixed Chorus A (6551)
Second Semester Taken: Mixed Chorus B (6552)