Environmental science is the study of our natural environment, with an emphasis on humanity’s impact on the environment. This is a project and inquiry-learning based course that investigates the science behind today’s environmental issues. Students will be immersed in hands-on science activities, group work, discussions of current scientific research, a long-term scientific investigation, decision-making based on their critical thinking skills, and the design of inquiry-based experiments. The course is arranged in independent modules that offer students a holistic approach towards environmental issues by exploring current environmental problems from a scientific interdisciplinary perspective. While topics will focus of life science related issues, we will also incorporate some basic geological, physical, chemical and technological components that directly impact living creatures.
AP Biology
The AP Biology (Life Science) 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
United States History and Cultures Honors
United States Histories and Cultures examines the social, cultural, political, economic, religious and ideological movements and moments that constitute the American history. We will focus explicitly on the diversity of the American experience and the development, change, and perpetuation of structures of inequality in the U.S over time. Empowered with this knowledge, students will then analyze what unites us as Americans through our shared historical experiences and events. Students will examine, critique, and analyze historical narratives, focusing explicitly on tensions between historical events and the stories that have been written about them. This course focuses on building an understanding of knowledge production, critical research and writing skills, and college-level reading and analysis. Students will leave this course prepared to heed our school’s mission to respond to the challenges of our time by becoming active participants in their civic communities.
In addition to the assigned coursework, the honors curriculum for this course will include college-level historical analysis, including, but not limited to supplemental textbooks, primary documents, original research, historical fiction assignments, museum visits, and optional preparation for students who wish to take the AP exam.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
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
Advanced Science Research Project
(Physical or Life Science) Students perform one or more additional independent science or engineering research projects, beyond those completed in the first semester Science Research Project course, or perform a substantial extension of a project completed in the previous course. This is an independent study course, with flexible meeting times that will be arranged to fit the schedules of the students. This course is taken in addition to the science requirement for graduation. Enrollment in Advanced Science Research does not qualify a student for a study period during the regular academic day.
*Taken as an independent study with the guidance of science teacher
Science Research Project
(Physical or Life Science) This course offers students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the maturity and self-discipline required to perform independent scientific research. Students perform one or more independent science or engineering research projects, in laboratory or field settings, on topics of their own choice. The meeting times are flexible and will be arranged to fit the schedule of the student. Areas of study include any area of science or engineering, including: quantum physics, astronomy, robotics, electronics, biotechnology, geology, meteorology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, oceanography, marine biology, psychology, sociology, economics, political science, statistics, etc., as well as traditional areas of biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. Students will gain direct experience in research methodologies used by professional scientists and engineers in industry and academia. This course is taken in addition to the science requirement for graduation. Enrollment in Science Research does not qualify a student for a study period during the regular academic day.
*Taken as an independent study with the guidance of science teacher
Biotechnology
The course (Physical or Life Science) 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.
Advanced Journalism
Advanced Journalism is an 8th period course in which students will learn the skills necessary to serve as Editor-in-Chief 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 all areas of publication production, including creating the master schedule, generating feature topics, determining content, supervising reporters in each department (Affinity, Arts, Feature, Humor, Op-Ed, Outside SI News, SI News, Sports, and Spotlight), writing articles, editing, laying out pages for each issue, and overall design. In the process of generating content, writing their stories, and laying out newspaper pages, students will learn to use specialized software for word processing, page layout, graphic design, and distribution management. Students enrolled in this course will practice effective collaboration skills, lead training sessions, 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 this class is subject to Moderator Approval. Individuals who apply for and are accepted as Editor-in-Chief during the Spring semester will be enrolled by the moderators during the Fall semester of the school year.
*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.
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.
Film Editing and Production (SITV) (8) 8th period
Film Editing and Production (SITV 101) is a full-year elective that counts towards the GPA. The course will provide students with a deeper understanding of:
1) video editing skills for professional and social media use;
2) video camera skills for eye-catching and creative imagery: and
3) drone, gimbal, camera, audio, and lighting knowledge for technical mastery of high-end equipment.
Students will learn how to manipulate music and footage to create engaging videos to reach their intended audiences. Students will collaborate with the student body to produce the school’s announcements, whether it be via commercials with athletes and performers or interviews with faculty and students. Students will learn techniques to produce high quality video material and the steps necessary in pre and post production to satisfy goals. By the end of the year, students will be fully equipped to blueprint, produce, and market their own top-end videos.
Students will meet 1 afternoon per week for 3 hours.
First Year Taken: Film Editing and Production (SITV) (9430) – 8th period.
Second and Subsequent Year Taken: Advanced Film Editing and Production (SITV) (9435) – 8th period. This course is NOT UC approved and does NOT count in the GPA.
This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day.