Science Department

SMUHSD and UC/CSU A-G - 2 years (3 years recommended)

(1 year of  biological and 1 year of physical science)

 

Biological Sciences	Physical Sciences
Biology Anatomy and Physiology AP Biology AP Environmental Science Biotechnology 1, 2 (CTE credit for SMUHSD)	Chemistry Physics AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics 1, C
All courses, unless otherwise noted, are UC/CSU - D Science approved courses.

 

All science courses are designed to teach the underlying principles of their specific discipline as described in the State of California Science Framework. Science classes are taught in sequential units, which build upon one another with the fall semester as a prerequisite for the spring semester. Material is presented through a combination of lectures and demonstrations, hands-on laboratory experiments, group and individual problem solving, homework, and video material. A command of the appropriate level of mathematics is essential. All tests and quizzes utilize word problem solving techniques and scientific notation.

 

Biology,  the Living Earth

Grade 9 or 10 (typically first science course at Aragon)

Students will be studying life in the context of the Earth's environment.  Students will begin with a holistic study of ecology, with an emphasis on interdependence between biotic and abiotic factors on Earth.  They will study the dynamics of matter cycles and energy flow through ecosystems, focusing on the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.  Students will also zoom in on the basic unit of life-- the cell, and learn about how the cell's structure and function allow for the emergent properties of unicellular and multicellular life.  Students will also engage in an exploration of DNA, and its role in storage and inheritance of genetic information, and translation into functioning proteins.  Students will then take their knowledge of genetics and variation, and study its interactions with the environment, to examine the processes of evolution.  Students will also utilize their knowledge of earth processes and living systems to consider solutions to mitigate the effects of human populations on biodiversity and global climate change.

 

Chemistry in Earth Systems

Grades 10 - 12 (typically second science course at Aragon)

Students will investigate the formation of the first elements and their transformation to heavier elements in the context of stars as nuclear element factories. They will use this knowledge to explore the structure of an atom and patterns in the periodic table. Students will investigate the forces that hold matter together and how society uses its understanding of elements and molecules to develop useful materials. Students will explore the interactions of atoms and molecules as illustrated by chemical reactions. Students will investigate Earth’s atmosphere and climate system. Students will explore the factors that drive chemical and physical changes based on their understanding of elements and materials science. They will examine connections between matter and energy into and out of chemical systems, extending the concept to the movement of energy through Earth’s systems and ways humans may control these moments. Students will investigate these concepts in the context of greenhouse gases, their effect on the atmosphere, and the stability and changes of the chemistry of the ocean and other bodies of water on Earth.

 

Anatomy and Physiology

Grades 11 - 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry

Anatomy & Physiology is an advanced biology program. It is designed to provide students with an in-depth, enriched study of the structure and function of the human body. As an upper division course, it is designed to prepare students for post-secondary study in science by providing students with an opportunity to study these topics in greater depth and breadth than is possible in the core science curriculum.

 

Biotechnology 1

Grades 10-12

SMUHSD CTE course (*Spring Semester is a Dual Enrollment Course on site with Skyline College for BTEC400)

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology

This course is designed to introduce the standard operating procedures used in the biotechnology industry and the techniques involved in recombinant DNA and recombinant protein production.  Students will be instructed in the SLOP (Standard Laboratory Operating Procedures) and demonstrate proficiency in lab safety, documentation, legal scientific notebooks, measurement, experimental design, pipetting/micropipetting, solution preparation and dilution, sterile technique, cell culture, DNA isolation and gel analysis, bacterial transformation, VIS spectrophotometer, protein purification, and more.  The course is the first year of a laboratory program designed to start preparing students for work or research in college, or in our growing biotech industry. Excellent attendance, responsibility, and organization are key components of success in this class.

 

Biotechnology 2

Grades 11-12

SMUHSD CTE course (*Dual Enrollment Course on site with Skyline College for BREC170 & BTEC171)

Prerequisite: Completion of Biotechnology 1

This course is designed to extend the skills students developed in the introductory biotechnology course. The first semester will focus on Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and the second semester will focus on Diagnostic Biotechnology. Students will be instructed in plant breeding: asexual plant propagation and plant tissue culture; plant genetic engineering, statistical analysis, sterile technique and media preparation, plant compound extractions, plant DNA and protein extractions, UV spectrophotometry, advanced protein analysis (protein gels, western blots, ELISA, column chromatography), advanced DNA analysis (DNA synthesis, PCR, and DNA Sequencing) and experimental optimization.

 

Physics in the Universe

Grades 10 - 12

Suggested Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 2 

In Physics, students will study the underlying causes and effects of forces on Earth and in the Universe, including: Gravitational, Contact, Magnetic, Nuclear and Electrostatic forces. Students will investigate the nature of energy, matter and its conservation. They will have the opportunity to study the formation of the geophysics features of Earth and Cosmic Evolution. They will examine the collection of evidence supporting physical models. Students will also examine the principles of waves, and how we use waves in information technology, including information storage and transfer. Students will work on projects which demonstrate students’ mastery of course, regularly conduct experimental investigations, and participate in engineering practices.

AP Biology

Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course which is the equivalent to the first-year biology sequence (two semesters/three quarters) taken by biological science majors at a college or university.  Students cultivate their understanding of biology through the application of inquiry and evidentiary-based thinking and exposition to the topics of evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology and interactions.  The areas of emphasis are similar to those introduced in Biology, the Living Earth but are developed in much greater depth and detail.  The flow of the course is rapid and the academic and cognitive demands are rigorous.  Students should expect 1-2 hours of homework per night, which generally involves reading, critical thinking problems, laboratory analysis and projects.  The laboratories are exciting and will develop students’ analytical and computational skills.  The course also emphasizes the practice of and improvement of academic skills that will build students’ capacities.

 

AP Chemistry

Grades 11 - 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry and Algebra 2

AP Chemistry is an intensive one-year advanced chemistry course, equivalent to the first-year chemistry courses taught at major universities. Students will expand upon concepts introduced in Chemistry in Earth Systems, including stoichiometry, gas laws, liquids, and solutions, atomic theory, bonding, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. In order to be successful, students should expect at least one hour of homework per night, and to spend time outside of class in the lab (approx. 2 hours/month) completing laboratory assignments. The objectives of the course are to provide interesting and challenging college-level work using laboratory experiments as a focal point for learning.  

College Board Lab Requirement:   This course requires that 25 percent of instructional time engages students in lab investigations. This includes a minimum of 16 hands-on labs (at least six of which are inquiry-based). It is recommended that students keep a lab notebook throughout.

 

AP Environmental Science                                                                                                                                     

Grades 11 - 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry, and completion of (or concurrent enrollment in) Algebra 2

Environmental Science is a lab science course that stresses scientific principles, while also providing opportunities to explore the many relevant social, political, economic, and ethical issues concerning the environment.  In both breadth and level of detail, the content of the courses reflects what is found in many introductory college courses in environmental science.  Topics covered include ecosystems, biodiversity, populations, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial pollution and global change.  The goal of the course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships in the world, to identify and analyze environmental problems (both natural and man-made), to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.  Additional course objectives include establishing and building a sense of stewardship for the environment in every student, and illustrating that one person can make a difference.  In order to be successful in this fast-paced class, students need to think critically, be engaged and organized,  and make connections between course content and the real world. 

AP Physics 1

Grades 11 - 12

Recommended completion of Physics and Pre-Calculus

This course is an algebra-based course in general Physics. Its syllabus is designed by the College Board. It is an equivalent introductory algebra-based university level physics course. The emphasis in the course is on an understanding of the concepts and skills at using the concepts and formula to solve problems based on mechanics and different types of motion. Laboratory work will be covered as an integral part of this course. The course requires mathematically analytical treatments of physical situations in the following categories:  work, power, energy, conservation laws, Newtonian mechanics, and rotational motion. Students should expect 3-4 hours of homework each week and will be tested based on the AP model of testing.

 

AP Physics C (Fall: Mechanics, Spring: Electricity and Magnetism)

Grades 11 - 12

Prerequisite: Completion of AP Physics 1 and at least one semester of Calculus

This course is a calculus-based course in Physics. Its syllabus is designed by the College Board.  It is an equivalent calculus-based university-level physics course. The emphasis in the course is on an understanding of the concepts and skills for using the concepts and formulas to solve problems. Laboratory work will be covered as an integral part of this course. The course requires mathematically analytical treatments of physical situations in mechanics and electricity & magnetism. Students should expect 5-7 hours of homework each week and will be tested based on the AP model of testing. The first semester will consist of a review of topics related to mechanics that students have seen in previous physics classes with an emphasis on calculus related to the situation/concept. The second semester will be focused on Electricity & Magnetism and will rely much more on the students’ Calculus background.