Science

This course introduces major concepts, themes, and skills in the biological sciences. It is designed to both reinforce the skills of students with previous lab science experience and introduce those skills to students with less experience. An emphasis is placed on the problem-solving, investigative nature of science. Students learn to observe,ask questions, form hypotheses, design experiments, develop lab skills, gather data, critically analyze results,clearly communicate this process of science, and place these results in the context of their lives. Students work to develop content knowledge in areas of study to include: ecology, cell biology, genetics, and evolution. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Algebra I

This is an intensive laboratory and activity based course that introduces students to the molecular and cellular basis of life on Earth. Students will study the following: the structure, properties, and roles of organic molecules; the basic biochemical reactions that are required for life; how human and animal physiology support cell processes; cell structure and function; genetics, mechanisms of inheritance, and biotechnology; the origins of life and evolutionary processes and mechanisms; the diversity of life, classification systems, evolutionary relationships between organisms; structure and function in selected organisms; ecological relationships including the interaction of organisms with each other and their environments. Students will continue to develop observational, laboratory and research skills through a variety of lab-based investigations.  Prerequisite: Acceptance with Honors at Entrance. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Algebra

This course pursues understanding of the natural world through chemistry. It includes introduction and investigation of the following topics: laboratory equipment and skills, scientific measurement, matter and change, atomic structure, the periodic table, compounds and reactions, stoichiometry, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry, water chemistry. As outlined in the National Science Education Standards, its goal is to encourage all students to learn science, to develop scientific habits of mind, and to become scientifically literate. Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra I and Biology with grades of “C-” or better. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Geometry

This is an accelerated, experimental approach to the principles that govern chemical reactions. Matter and energy and their relationships will be studied in detail. Topics in organic chemistry, environmental chemistry and biochemistry will also be presented. This course is strongly recommended for students planning to major in science or a science related field in college. A summer homework assignment is required and must be completed by the first day of class. Prerequisites: Completion of Geometry and Biology with grades of “B” or better or Algebra 1 or Accelerated Algebra with grades of “A” and recommendation of the biology teacher. Academic GPA of 3.0 or higher; Science GPA of 3.5 or higher. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Geometry

This course could be considered an owner’s manual of each student’s human body. Topics will be covered by body systems (ie. integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiorespiratory, endocrine, immune, etc.), covering anatomy (structure) and physiology (function). Students will gain a fundamental understanding of these systems and their interconnectedness, while also integrating concepts from medical sciences, kinesiology, exercise physiology, and nutrition. This course will include labs, research projects, and group projects. Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a grade of “C-” or better. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Algebra I

The major topics in Oceanography and Marine Biology are covered in this course. In Oceanography students study the evolution and structure of the earth and seafloor, basic seawater chemistry, and motion in the oceans including waves, tides, and currents. In Marine Biology students study life in the ocean, beginning with the tiniest plankton through marine invertebrates, bony fish and sharks, all the way to the whales. This study includes a look into the evolution of the major marine phyla as well as marine ecological systems. Students also study our historical and current relationship with/ treatment of the marine environment including resources, energy, and other involvements such as what we can do to heal the planet.  There is a field trip each semester (a day on the bay upon a research vessel and a tidepool trip to Bolinas).  There is a research/hands-on project in the first semester (student’s choice) and students will be building underwater ROV’s (remotely operated vehicles) as part of a second semester project.  There is an additional small fee associated with this course to cover the field trip and ROV project. Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a grade of “C-” or better. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Geometry

A science elective course designed to be hands-on and highly project/lab-oriented. With an emphasis on concepts, this is a course that provides students a solid physics foundation including some computation. This class maximizes the use of students’ personal experience in the everyday world and in their everyday language allowing them to see physics as a part of everything they see and do. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to: vibrations and waves, sound, light, linear and projectile motion, Newton’s Laws, momentum, and energy

Prerequisites: Geometry and Chemistry with grades of “C-” or better. Completion of Algebra II recommended, though it may be taken concurrently. Mathematics corequisite benchmark: Algebra II

Physics is a course in which students study basic physical phenomena. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, waves, sound, light, optics, and electric circuits. The course will include lecture, discussion, demonstrations, problem solving, laboratory exercises, and projects. Algebra II, geometry and very basic trigonometry are used extensively in problem solving, experimental technique, and data analysis.

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra II recommended, though it may be taken concurrently (only recommended for HA2 students). Concurrent enrollment in a math class Algebra II or higher is required. Academic GPA of 3.0 or higher, Science GPA of 3.5 or higher. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Algebra II

A study of the life functions of organisms from the standpoint of cellular physiology. The first semester is spent studying the workings of the cell, from respiration to gene regulation. New biotechnologies such as PCR and recombinant DNA technology will be attempted. Vertebrate systems will be studied in the second semester emphasizing evolutionary significance and adaptive values. Lab work will stress development of hypotheses and collection of appropriate data, presentation, and valid interpretation of data. This course is recommended for students preparing for majors in the life sciences in college. A summer homework assignment is required and must be completed by the first day of class. Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in chemistry, Academic GPA of 3.3 or higher, and Science GPA of 3.5 or higher. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Algebra II

Students will attain a depth of understanding of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems. The course should contribute to the development of the students’ abilities to think clearly and to express their ideas orally and in writing, with clarity and logic. This course differs from other chemistry courses with respect to the kind of textbook used, the topics covered, the emphasis on chemical calculations and the mathematical formulation of principles, and the kind of laboratory work done by students. Quantitative differences appear in the number of topics treated, the time spent on the course by students, and the nature and the variety of experiments done in the laboratory. A summer homework assignment is required and must be completed by the first day of class. Prerequisites: Completion of Honors Chemistry with a “B” or better OR completion of Chemistry with an “A-“ or better AND completion of an extra summer homework assignment due the first day of class. Completion of Honors Geometry with a “B-” or better or Geometry with a “B+“ or better. Academic GPA of 3.3 or higher; Science GPA of 3.5 or higher. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Algebra II

The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the inter-relationships 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. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Topics covered include Earth systems and resources, the living world, population, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. (© 2007 The College Board) Prerequisites: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a B & academic GPA of 3.0, or recommendation of a science teacher. 

Prerequisites: Completion of Biology with a B or better; Completion of Chemistry with a B or better. Academic GPA of 3.0 or higher; Science GPA of 3.0 or higher. Mathematics co-requisite benchmark: Geometry

AP Physics C provides a systematic introduction to the main principles of physics and emphasizes the development of conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability. Topics covered include areas in Newtonian Mechanics only. Facility with algebra, geometry, and basic trigonometry is required for the course; the basic ideas of calculus will be introduced in the theoretical development of some physical concepts. Understanding of the basic principles involved and the ability to apply these principles in the solution of problems will be the major goals of this course. A summer homework assignment is required and must be completed by the first day of class.

Prerequisites: Completion of Precalculus with a grade of “B” or better. Concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus is recommended (either AB or BC - pacing of calculus in AP Physics matches AB). Academic GPA of 3.3 or higher; Science GPA of 3.5 or higher. Mathematics corequisite benchmark: Calculus AB