Freshmen students may choose not to take a science or they may begin with Introduction to Agriculture, Academic Earth Science, Lab Biology 1, Honors Lab Biology 1 or Agricultural Biology (Pending Board Approval for Agricultural Biology).

 

Sophomore students taking science for the first time should enroll in a Life Science Course, either Life Science, Lab Biology,  Honors Lab Biology, Agricultural Biology or Introduction to Agriculture.

 

Introduction to Agriculture, Introduction to Agriculture (SEI) (9-12)

 

Minimum of 2.00 GPA required

First course in a two-year sequence.  Explores the agricultural sciences including animals, plants, crops, and leadership development through the Future Farmers of America (FFA).  This course is designed to introduce students to the life sciences at a conceptual level utilizing a hands-on approach and emphasizing the scientific method.  Core literature, research and formal writing assignments will be required.  Participation in FFA (Future Farmers of America) activities and SAE.

 

·         Meets high school life science requirement.  

 

·         Meets UC/CSU “g” elective requirement.

 

Environmental Science – Agricultural Perspective (10-12)*  Note:  Name may be changed to “Agriculture and National Resources”

 

Requires one year of Agriculture science or instructor approval.  Minimum of 2.00 GPA required.  Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 1B or Algebra 1 required.

 

This course is designed as a class for students with an interest in agriculture, science and biotechnology.  It will emphasize the use of the ecosystem concept to the study of environmental problems. This will be accomplished by learning basic information regarding interrelations of the ecosystem and applying this information in problem solving.  The importance of conservation, preservation and sustainability will be discussed within the constraints dictated by human development and human needs.  A large part of the course will be a research project

on a student formed research topic.  This will be true research requiring field work and the formation of a high quality written report and verbal presentation.

 

·         Meets high school physical science requirement.

·         Non-college prep.

·         Note:  VHS is submitting this course to UC for possible “g” elective approval.

 

Agricultural Biology (10-12) (Pending Board Approval for Grade 9)

 

Requires completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra B/Algebra 1 and minimum of GPA of 2.00.  Students should not enroll in both Lab Biology and Ag Biology because same text and standards are used.

 

This course is a one-year lab science course for the college bound student with an interest in agriculture.  The course emphasizes the principles, central concepts and inter-relationships in the scientific method, the molecular and cellular aspects of life, the chemical and structural basis of life, growth and reproduction of plants and animals, evolution of plants and domestic livestock species, and the growth and reproduction, genetics, taxonomy, nutrition, health and diseases of plant and domestic animals. 

 

·         Meets high school life science requirement. 

·         Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.

 

Horticulture (9-12) (Elective – not Science credit)

 

Requires completion of one year of Agriculture or teacher recommendation, and a minimum GPA of 2.00.

 

Develops competencies in the propagation, culture, processing and marketing

of ornamental plants including the design, use and maintenance of greenhouses and shade houses.  Other  topics to  be covered  include landscape and hardscape design and maintenance and the proper use, care and identification of equipment and supplies.  Participation in FFA (Future Farmers of America) activities and SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) projects are also required.

 

·         Meets high school elective requirement.

·         Non-college prep.

 

Veterinary Science (10-12)

 

Requires completion of one year of Agriculture or teacher recommendation, and a minimum GPA of 2.00.

Career exploration in the field of veterinary medicine, concentrating on anatomy and physiology, nutrition, breeding, health care, disease prevention and management systems of domestic animals and livestock.  Veterinary health practices, office procedures, and record keeping will also be covered.  Core literature, research and formal writing assignments will be required.  Participation in FFA (Future Farmers of America) activities and SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) projects are also required. 

 

·         Meets high school life science requirement.

·         Meets UC/CSU “g” elective requirement.

 

Lab Biology 1, SEI Lab Biology 1

 

For incoming 9^th graders, see Honors Guidelines.  For  current VHS students, students must have a B or better in previous science class.

 

(Students should not enroll in both Lab Biology and Ag Lab Biology since the same text and standards are used)

 

Lab Biology 1 is a strong college preparatory course that covers major strands in Biology:  biological organization, cells, genetics, and ecology.  Major themes in biology that are covered include:  how structure fits function, similarities and differences among organisms, the common genetic strand, and change over time.  Emphasis is on laboratories and critical thinking skills.  Extensive writing is required.   Covers the same topics as Lab Biology 1 Honors. 

 

• Meets high school life science requirement.

·         Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.

 

Lab Biology 1 Honors (9-12)

 

See Honors Guidelines

 

Lab Biology 1 Honors requires students to meet higher standards of quality on writing assignments and more depth of knowledge than Lab Biology One.  Major strands in Biology:  biological organization, cells, genetics, and ecology.  Major themes in biology that are covered include:  how structure fits function, similarities and differences among organisms, the common genetic strand, and change over time.  Emphasis is on laboratories and critical thinking skills.  Extensive writing is required.  

 

·         Meets high school life science requirement.

·         Meets UC/CSU “d’ lab science requirement.

 

AP Lab Biology 2 (11-12)

 

Requires    completion   of    Biology 1, Chemistry 1 and teacher recommendation

 

This is a rigorous college prep course. The first course in a 2-year series designed for students testing in the International Baccalaureate higher level and/or Advanced Placement.  In-depth approach to the study of living organisms. Topics include chemistry of life, genetics, genetic engineering, ecology, and how populations of organisms change through time.  Extensive reading, essay writing, lab work and strong chemistry background are required.   

 

• Meets high school life science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.

IB Lab Biology 3  HL2  (12)

 

Requires completion of AP Lab Biology 2 and teacher recommendation

 

The second course in a two-year series for students testing in IB higher level and/or Advanced Placement. Topics include: cell biology, molecular biology, human anatomy and physiology, plant anatomy and physiology.  

 

• Meets high school life science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.

Academic Earth Science (9-12)

 

Requires current science teacher’s recommendation

 

College preparatory course in which the composition and dynamic changes of the earth are examined by integrating the study of rocks, geological phenomena, earth history, weather, space science and oceanography.  This course may be taken by entering 9^th graders who do not meet the requirements to enter lab biology or students who have completed lab biology/life science.

 

• Meets high school physical science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “g” elective requirement.

 

Life Science   (10-12)

 

Course for students who have completed Academic Earth Science, but not Biology.  This course exposes students to all components of life science and will also introduce a wide variety of medical careers in each unit.

 

• Meets high school life science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “g” elective requirement.

Human Anatomy/Physiology (11-12)

 

Requires completion of academic earth science and life science with a B or better and/or completion of lab biology.

 

College prep course in the structure and function of the human body.   

 

• Meets high school life science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.

Chemistry 1 (10-12)

 

Requires completion of Algebra 1 B and 1 year of science with a grade of “C” or better

 

College prep with emphasis on problem solving methods, lab techniques and investigations into the study of matter.   

 

• Meets high school physical science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.

 

Chemistry 1 Honors (10-12)

 

Requires completion of Algebra 1 B, Lab Biology or Honors Lab Biology with B or better, and teacher recommendation

 

College prep with emphasis on problem solving methods, lab techniques and investigations into the study of matter.  Extensive writing and labs required.   

 

• Meets high school physical science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.

AP Chemistry 2 (11-12)

Requires completion of Chemistry 1 with B or better

 

Equivalent to freshman college chemistry. Designed for science majors.  Prepares student for AP exam.   

 

• Meets high school physical science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.

Physics 1 (11-12)

 

Requires completion of a college prep science course and Algebra 1 B

 

College prep survey of physics.  Force, motion, energy, heat, sound, light and electricity are included. 

• Meets high school physical science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.

 AP Physics B  (11-12)

 

Requires completion of a college prep science course and teacher recommendation

 

Equivalent to freshman college physics.  High-level math applications and faster pace that Physics I. Prepares student for IB standard level and AP exams. 

 

• Meets high school physical science requirement.
• Meets UC/CSU “d” lab science requirement.