Course Description (Main Areas)
BIOLOGY 1-2 – 1230, 1231 Grades 9-12
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Note: All freshmen. Freshmen enrolled in Honors Algebra 3/4 may elect to take Chemistry.
Biology 1-2 is a study of living things, starting with the cell and one-celled organisms through representatives of the animal and plant kingdoms. With the aid of laboratory exercises, students will learn how organisms perform all life functions and how they interrelate. This course may be used to meet the UC “D or “G” requirement. Freshmen who enroll in this class are carefully selected and expected to pursue advanced science courses beginning in the tenth grade.
GEOSCIENCE 1-2 – 1212, 1213 Grades
9-12
Geoscience 1-2 is a one-year college preparatory course that provides
students the opportunity to learn the basic concepts and skills of chemistry
and physics through the detailed study of the Earth and Space sciences. This
course focuses on the dynamic interrelationships between the atmosphere,
geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and
the Earth-universe system. There is a strong emphasis on qualitative and
quantitative laboratory activities that foster a deeper understanding of
content, while emphasizing problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Laboratory activities include traditional methodologies and include the use
of electronic and digital technologies. Laboratory activities occupy 40% of
course hours. This course has been approved to meet the UC
“d” or “g” requirement.
HUMAN BIOLOGY – 1226, 1227 Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors that have passed Biology with a C.
Human Biology 1-2 provides an introduction to the biology of the human species. The course will focus on
creating an understanding of human body functions, human’s place in nature, and the mechanics of human heredity.
Students who are interested in health-related careers (such as biotechnology, nursing, dental assistant, physical
therapy assistant, medical technician, EMT, firefighter and/or planning to pursue a certificate degree (or AA) at
a community college are the primary candidates. This course is articulated with Mira Costa Community College
BIO 101 and BIO 101L. *This class is articulated for waiver credit at Mira Costa College.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY 3-4 – 1232,
1233 Grades 11-12
Recommended Prerequisite Juniors and Seniors that have good reading and writing skills. Students must have
passed Chemistry with a C. Sophomores must have a recommendation from the AP Biology Teacher.
Advanced Placement Biology 3 4 is planned to meet the objectives of a general biology course on the college level.
Topics covered include the chemical basis of biology, cells, their specialization and reproduction, energy
transformation, heredity and genetics, the origin of life, the structure and function in higher plants and in
animals, behavior and its basis in heredity and biochemistry, and ecology. Students who take this class may take
the advanced placement examination in biology.
CHEMISTRY 1-2 – 1240, 1241 Grades 10-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who passed
biology with an A or B and also earned an A or B in Geometry. Students will
be concurrently enrolled in Algebra 3/4 or will have already passed that
class. Freshmen may take Chemistry if they are concurrently enrolled in
Honors Algebra 3/4. These freshmen are
expected to enroll in AP Biology as Sophomores.
Chemistry 1-2 is a rigorous, in depth introduction to the fundamental principles, concepts, and techniques of chemistry using a problem solving approach. It is designed for college bound students who have completed a year of college prep science and mathematics.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY 3-4 – 1242,
1243 Grades 11-12
Recommended Prerequisite: An A or B+ in Algebra 3/4 and passed or concurrent
enrollment in Honors Pre-calculus. Students have earned an A or B+ in
Chemistry.
Chemistry 3 4 is an advanced placement course, college freshman level, which
continues the students’ study of chemistry with additional qualitative and
quantitative study. There is a greater reliance and emphasis on quantitative
study and the use of electronic equipment to gather data.
AP Environmental Science 1-2 – 1244, 1245
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Sophomores, and students who have not taken chemistry, must
have a recommendation from the AP Environmental Science teacher.
AP Environmental Science is a course which will provide students with the
scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand
the interrelationships of the natural world. Students will identify and
analyze environmental problems, both natural and man-made, and evaluate the
relative risks associated with these problems. Students will also examine
alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing these problems. This
course has been aligned to College Board Guidelines for Advanced Placement
Environmental Science. This course has been approved to meet the UC “d”
requirement.
PHYSICS 1-2 – 1250, 1251 Grades 10-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who passed
biology with an A or B and also earned an A or B in Geometry. Students will
be concurrently enrolled in Algebra 3/4 or will have already passed that
class.
Physics 1 2 is a study of the fundamental concepts in nature upon which all
areas of science build. Some of the concepts include motion, force, space
and time, energy, light, and electricity. The course is also very concerned
with the methods that are used in science in order to investigate nature.
Simple labs will be held to illustrate theories.
MARINE SCIENCE 1-2 – 1256, 1257 Grades
10-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who have passed
biology and also have passed Algebra 1/2.
Marine Science is a two-semester course that will give students a strong
background in the ocean sciences. The course includes challenging
activities, laboratory exercises, field experiences, and class projects.
Students in this class will learn by completing labs and laboratory reports,
essay exams, and oral presentations. The first semester of Marine Science
will introduce the fields of marine geology and chemistry. Topics will
include mineralogy and petrology, formation and evolution of the ocean
basins and continental crust, marine influences in regional geologic
history, understanding ocean sediments, seawater chemistry, and deep-sea
vent systems. The second semester of Marine Science will introduce the
fields of marine physics and marine biology. Topics in marine physics will
include the mechanics and dynamics of waves, tides, sand transport, and
coastal erosion, sound and light in the sea, air/sea interaction, and global
and local currents. Topics in marine biology will include a phylogenetic
approach to marine protists, plants, and animals, and an ecological
investigation into the complex diversity of a variety of marine habitats.
Marine Science is taught from an interdisciplinary perspective and each
topic in the class will illustrate connections between the different
disciplines in science, economics, and other global issues. This course has
been approved to meet the UC “d” requirement for Laboratory Science.
ZOOLOGY 1-2 – 1260, 1261 Grades 11-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Juniors and Seniors that have passed Biology
Zoology 1 2 is a more in depth study of the animal kingdom than is possible in Biology 1 2. Each of ten major
animal groups (phyla) will be studied starting with one celled protozoan and ending with mammals. Many aspects
of their anatomy, physiology, and natural history will be covered in lecture and weekly laboratories. Fieldwork
emphasizing their ecology will be done whenever possible.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS “C” 1A-1B –
1262, 1263 Grades 11 12
Recommended Prerequisite: Completed or concurrent enrollment in Honors
Pre-calculus. Student must have earned an A or a B+ in previous science
classes. Not recommended for students that did not earn A’s in Honors
Algebra 3/4. Students are expected to be concurrently enrolled in either
Honors Pre-calculus or Calculus. Students not concurrently enrolled in AP
Calculus must have a recommendation from the AP Physics teacher.
The focus of this course is Newtonian mechanics. In this course are the keys
to understand how and why matter interacts the way it does. Included in the
curriculum are descriptions of how and why things move, and the energy
objects carry, store, and transform. Calculus is introduced and used both in
the development and application of
the physics concepts. Furthermore, laboratory activities are an integral
part of that development.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS “C” 2A-2B –
1264, 1265 Grades 11 12
Recommended Prerequisite: AP Physics IA. Teacher recommendation
Advanced Placement Physics forms the first part of the college sequence that
serves as the foundation in physics for students majoring in the physical
sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Strong emphasis is placed on solving
a variety of challenging problems. There is emphasis on analysis in the
laboratory as well. Methods of calculus are
used whenever appropriate in formulating solutions to problems. The subject
matter of AP Physics 3 4 is principally mechanics, electricity and
magnetism, as well as limited topics in waves and modern physics.
BIOTECHNOLOGY 1 (First Semester) – 061234
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Seniors who have passed Chemistry, Physics, AP Biology, or
Human Biology. Juniors, or those without the above classes, must have a
recommendation from the Biotechnology teacher.
Students will be provided with a hands-on experience using some of the
important tools & techniques used in the biotech field. They will also
explore topics relevant to the industry including forensic science,
pharmaceutical drugs & drug development, and genetically modified organisms.
BIOTECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP (Second Semester)
– 061235 Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Completion of Biotechnology 1
Upon successful completion of Biotechnology 1, students will be eligible for internships in the field of Medicine &
Biotechnology. These internships may be either off site or on Mt. Carmel’s campus.