INTEGRATED SCIENCE CLASSES

See chart at beginning of this catalog for a listing of science course sequences and prerequisites.

LIFE SCIENCE CLASSES

ANIMAL SCIENCE P
See course description in AGRICULTURE.

BIOLOGY P
561000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: It is recommended that students taking this course have an A or B in previous science courses and have completed Algebra I with a grade of C or better
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

Designed for the college bound student, the course provides an introduction to the diversity of biology. The first 2/3 of the year includes molecular concepts such as biochemistry, cell structure and function, DNA topics, and genetics. The remainder of the year covers ecology and evolution. Field trips to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and the Sacramento Cemetery are optional, as well as a fetal pig dissection.

BIOLOGY AP
Advanced Placement
562500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Students must complete one of the following options: #1. (a) Biology and (b) Chemistry P, ChemCom or Chemistry AP; or #2. Lab Science 2. Grade of A or B recommended.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

AP Biology is a second year of high school biology. It aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. The first semester includes the topics of (1) Molecules and Cells, and (2) Heredity and Evolution. The second semester includes the topics (3) Organisms and Populations. Students will be prepared to take the AP Biology Examination.

INTEGRATED AGRICULTURAL BIOLOGY P
561400
1 year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 recommended, or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 1
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

Agricultural Biology is a one-year, laboratory science course, designed for both college bound and non college bound student with either career interests in "hands-on" science or a career in agriculture. Using agriculture as the learning vehicle, the course emphasizes the principles, central concepts and inter relationships among the following topics: the molecular and cellular aspects of life, the chemical and structural basis of life, growth and reproduction in plants and animals, evolution of modern plants and domestic livestock species, plant and animal genetics, taxonomy of modern agricultural plants and animals, animal behavior, ecological relationships among plants, animals, humans and the environment, nutrition in animals, health and diseases in animals, and the similarities between animals and humans. Students will have opportunities for individual agricultural projects and FFA participation.

INTRODUCTION TO LIFE SCIENCE AND INTRODUCTION TO LIFE SCIENCE, SHELTERED
566400/566500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites for Life Science: None
Prerequisites for Life Science, Sheltered: ESL designation

These two courses are often scheduled concurrently and combined into one class. Topics of study include the general principles of life science, cell structure and function, ecology, elementary genetics and molecular biology, and plant and animal variety and reproduction. Class work consists of oral reading, discussions, and various lab activities.

PHYSIOLOGY & ANATOMY P
566000
One year: 10 credit
Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in Biology or Lab Science2.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

This course involves the detailed study of the human body. Course work consists of lectures, demonstrations, labs including microscope work and dissections, a family health tree and an individual research assignment. Memorization of many terms will be required. This course is recommended for capable students interested in scientific and health related fields.

ROP BIOTECHNOLOGY P
564500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Students must complete one of the following two options: #1. (a) Biology and (b) Chemistry, ChemCom or Chemistry AP; or #2. Lab Science 2. Grade of A or B recommended.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the knowledge and skills that are necessary for employment in research labs. The curriculum is centered around the theory and hands-on skills behind the preparation of lab reagents and media, the manipulation of DNA, the techniques of PCR and gene transfer. The second semester includes more sophisticated laboratory procedures such as tissue culture and in-depth protein analysis, as well as an introduction to the use of model organisms in biological research. Students will also examine the impact of the Human Genome Project on the future of humans (medicine) and our past (anthropology and evolution). Other topics will include a survey of careers in the field of biotechnology and a study of the ethical implications posed by this fast-paced branch of science. Students will interact with scientists from local biotechnology companies and investigators at UC Davis labs. Upon completion of the first semester of this course students may have local internship opportunities. See Biotechnology Internship.

ROP BIOTECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP
564300
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Completion of one semester of ROP Biotechnology. This class may be repeated for credit.

Internship opportunities are available with local companies and UC Davis labs at the teacher’s discretion.

ZOOLOGY & BOTANY P
563500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in Biology or Lab Science 2.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

This course offers classical exploration of plants and animals. The first ? of the year is devoted to zoology, with emphasis on the diversity, morphology, ecology, and reproduction of invertebrates. The animal kingdoms studied in survey style, including detailed study of sponges, cnidarians, worms, mollusks, arthropods, echinoderms, and chordates. The course includes numerous dissections, microscope labs and live animal activities. Assignments include an insect collection and a computer-based research presentation. The botany portion of the course emphasizes the diversity of higher plants as well as the anatomy of flowering plants. Assignments include a leaf collection. Also included in the course is an optional 3-day field trip to Catalina Island in the spring semester.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSES

The following courses satisfy the one-year requirement in physical science for graduation from high school.

CHEMISTRY P
614500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Algebra 1 with a grade of B. Algebra 2 is recommended.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

This is a demanding course for the college-bound student and involves considerable applied math and laboratory work. This course takes a traditional approach to the study of matter, each topic building on concepts in chemistry that have been studied earlier. Quantitative problem solving is a large portion of the course. Some applications of the concepts are studied as the topics come up. Students taking this course should expect a minimum of 30 minutes of homework a night.

CHEMISTRY P (Summer School)
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Algebra 1 with a grade of B. Algebra 2 is recommended.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

See the prerequisites and course description for Chemistry P. Students taking this summer course should expect to spend a minimum of 2 to 4 hours daily on homework. Most students are advised not to attempt this course until their junior or senior year.

CHEMISTRY AP
Advanced Placement
617000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Grade of A or B in Algebra 1 and Geometry, completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2/Trig., and an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher (although students with lower GPA may petition for admission). Current mathematics teacher must verify math requirements.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a first-semester college general chemistry course. It includes a strong laboratory component, comprising about 20% of the course. AP Chemistry students will have the opportunity to take the AP Chemistry exam and might be awarded college credit (elective credit, or perhaps even lab science or chemistry credit) by the college or university that they enter, provided their performance on the exam merits it. AP Chemistry is a challenging, time consuming, high intensity course. Strong mathematical skills are required, and historically students who attempt the class having a cumulative GPA lower than 3.5 perform poorly in the course. For students with a lower GPA or weaker math skills, it is strongly recommended that Chemistry be taken prior to AP Chemistry.

CHEMISTRY IN THE COMMUNITY P (ChemCom)
614500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Algebra 1 with a B or better.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

ChemCom is approximately equivalent in difficulty to Chemistry but the focus is on chemistry-related issues confronting society. Designed by the American Chemical Society, ChemCom makes chemistry more accessible to college-bound students who may chose to major in humanities, while still preparing students who may choose to major in the sciences. Although ChemCom involves less quantitative problem-solving than Chemistry, applied math is still a significant portion of the course work. Examples of issues that the curriculum is built around include water, resource management, petroleum, and applications of nuclear chemistry. These issues form the framework for presenting most of the same fundamental chemistry concepts and laboratory techniques that are covered in Chemistry. Students taking this course should expect a minimum of 30 minutes of homework a night.

INTRODUCTION TO EARTH AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE
611500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: None

Students study astronomy and the earth system through the lens of physics and chemistry. Although the class covers some of the same topics as other courses, it places less emphasis on mathematics and more emphasis on how the core principles of physics and chemistry can explain the world we live in. Class work includes laboratory activities, reading and writing assignments, group discussions and projects.

PHYSICS P
620000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Algebra 1 and Geometry with a B or better and approval of current mathematics teacher. Completion of Trigonometry is highly recommended.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

Designed for the college-bound student, this general physics course emphasizes the areas of (1) Newtonian Mechanics, (2) Wave and Optics, (3) Electricity/Magnetism. Laboratory experience is part of the course work. Compared to Physics P, this course places a much greater emphasis on mathematical problem solving. Students should expect between 30 minutes and 1 hour of homework per night.

PHYSICS AP
Advanced Placement
625000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Grade of A or B in Algebra 2/Trigonometry. Current mathematics teacher must verify math requirement. Highly recommended: Grade A or B in one of the following courses: Physics Honors, Physics or Lab Science 2.
Also recommended: Concurrent enrollment in Calculus.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

Compared to Honors Physics P, Advanced Placement Physics covers more concepts, moves at a much faster pace, and is more rigorous and theoretical. Students must have excellent mathematical and analytical skills and should have a strong desire to take the AP Physics Exam given in May. The course concentrates on the fundamental principles of physics as taught in a college physics course, including (1) Newtonian Mechanics, (2) Fluid and Thermal Physics, (3) Waves and Optics, (4) Electricity and Magnetism, and (5) Atomic/Nuclear Physics. Students should expect more than 1 hour of homework per night.

PHYSICS HONORS P
621000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: A grade of B or better in both Algebra 2/Trigonometry.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

This course is designed for the college bound student who will be specializing in the physical sciences, mathematics or technology. This rigorous and highly theoretical course will emphasize the areas of (1) Newtonian Mechanics, (2) Waves and Optics, (3) Electricity/Magnetism. Laboratory experience is part of the course work. Compared to Physic P, this course places a much greater emphasis on mathematical problem solving. Students should expect between 30 minutes and 1 hour of homework per night.

PHYSICS READER
(See School Services)

ROP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE P
See course description in AGRICUTURE.

SCIENCE RELATED COURSE

INDEPENDENT SCIENCE PROJECT P
567000
One semester: 5 credits
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: 1) Completion with an A or B grade any two of the following courses: Biology, Zoology & Botany, Physiology and Anatomy, Chemistry or Physics. 2) Permission of supervising teacher.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: d

This course is for students interested in conducting an individual scientific investigation. The student will be expected to design and complete a laboratory research project of their own choosing using proper scientific methods. (School equipment and materials are limited.) The project may be done on or off campus but the project must be supervised by a science teacher at Davis High, and students must get approval of the supervising teacher before they begin their project. At the end of their project, students will either enter their project in a competition or make a formal presentation to a class.

ROP Certified Nursing Assistant
(See Health for course description