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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.
Chemistry in the Community is an alternative chemistry curriculum that presents chemistry as a powerful way of thinking, rather than a static body of knowledge. In Chemistry in the Community, students engage with four important issues of 21st century science: energy, sources, environmental challenges, life and medicine, and material design. The focus is to use core concepts and ideas in chemistry as tools to understand these issues and the current efforts to solve them. Students build understanding of chemical ideas and phenomena in interactive activities with relevant topics, laboratory investigations, design challenges, analysis skills, and cost-benefit evaluations.
Chemistry in the Community does not satisfy the prerequisites for future honors or AP classes. Students who successfully complete this course can appeal for admission to honors or AP.
UC/CSU Subject D Approval (pending)
Game Design and Development is an introductory science and technology laboratory course where students will learn basic coding skills while utilizing the popular gaming platforms Unity and Roblox to create their own video games. Students will explore multiple programming languages, including but not limited to C-Sharp, C++, Lua, and JavaScript. Students will be introduced to fundamental concepts such as: variables, looping, conditional statements, functions, 3D modeling, graphics, and the algorithms that make computers work. Students will demonstrate critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills in hands-on collaborative lab experiences.
UC/CSU Subject D Approval (pending)
This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.
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.
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.
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.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
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
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
