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PHS Graduation Requirementsclearpixel
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For meeting minimum PHS graduation requirements:
clearpixel•life sciences (1 required): Biology, Life Science
clearpixel•physical sciences (1 required): Chemistry, Physics, Icarus, Physical Science, ROP Environmental Science

For 4-year colleges: 2 years lab science required, 3 highly recommended (1 must be a life science, 1 must be a physical science)
clearpixel•life lab sciences: Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy & Physiology
clearpixel•physical lab sciences: Chemistry, Physics, AP Physics, ROP Environmental Science

Introductory Science Coursesclearpixel
These are introductory science classes meeting minimum graduation requirements. (NO CSU or UC credit)

Physical Scienceclearpixel
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Grades: 11 (12 graders who are repeating the course for a passing grade)
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10

Prerequisite: Open to all 11th graders who have passed Life Science and students passing Biology with a grade of D. (students who have passed Biology with grades of C or better should enroll in Icarus, ROP Environmental Science, Chemistry or Physics to meet physical science requirements)
College Entrance Requirements: Does not apply to CSU or UC science entrance requirements.
Description: Physical Science surveys the physical sciences with some integration of life science concepts. It addresses basic concepts, including the methods of science, motion and forces, the nature and properties of matter, energy transformations and importance, matter cycles, geological cycles and processes, and astronomy. The class includes laboratory activities meant to support the process and to practice skills in observation, data gathering and interpretation, application of mathematical principles, and evaluation.



Life Scienceclearpixel
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Grades: 10 (all students who have not successfully completed Biology in 9th grade must enroll in either Biology or Life Science in 10th grade)
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10

Prerequisite: None
College Entrance Requirements: Does not apply to CSU or UC science entrance requirements.
Description: Life Science surveys the life sciences with some integration of physical science concepts. It addresses basic concepts including biological molecules, cell structures and function, genetics, structure and function of organisms, and populations and ecosystems. This class includes laboratory activities meant to support the process of science and to practice skills in observation, data gathering and interpretation, application of mathematical principles, and evaluation.

College Preparatory Coursesclearpixel
For admittance to a UC, or beginning in 2003, a CSU system school, 2 years of laboratory science are required and a 3rd year is recommended. However, Icarus ONLY satisfies university elective requirements.

ICARUSclearpixel
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Grades: 10-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10

Prerequisite: One year of high school science with passing grades
College Entrance Requirements: Applies to CSU and UC science entrance requirements.
Description: Icarus Science uses Problem Based Learning as a basis of instruction to solve real life situations. It is a science-based curriculum that integrates a variety of disciplines such as social science, literature, writing, and technology. Subjects of study include water quality, biotechnology, health care issues, quality of life critical thinking, interview, presentation, technology, and interpersonal skills, as well as ethical and moral decision making. Students will be involved in extended and laboratory investigations with a focus on working as groups in the gathering, exchanging, application, and evaluation of information. A variety of tools and skills, such as working with computers, mathematics, and research will be developed as would be used in real world employment situations. Icarus does not meet the lab science requirement but does meet the UC "g" credit of the a-g requirements.



Biologyclearpixel
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Grades: 9-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10

Prerequisite: Open to all 10th graders, C or better in Algebra recommended. Open to 9th graders with B or better in Algebra 1 (7th or 8th grade) and either recommendation of junior high science teacher or approval of PHS Science Department (9th grade articulation is in the process of development).
College Entrance Requirements: Applies to CSU and UC science entrance requirements.
Description: A course designed to teach fundamental biological concepts. Much of the student's time will be spent in laboratory investigation. Areas to be studied will include the steps of scientific methods, use of the metric system in biology, the microscope and its use, basic biochemistry, cell structure and function, photosynthesis and respiration, genetics, organic evolution, diversity of life, organismal biology, populations and ecosystems, and the human impact upon them.



Chemistryclearpixel
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Grades: 10-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10

Prerequisite: Open to all students who have completed Biology with grades of C or better.
College Entrance Requirements: Applies to CSU and UC science entrance requirements.
Description: An introductory course in chemistry designed to meet the needs of the college-bound student. Classroom work and laboratory investigations are utilized in achieving the objectives of the course. Topics include the nature of matter, atomic theory, chemical reactions, status of matter, solutions, the periodic table, chemical bonding, molecular shapes, energy changes associated with chemical and physical changes, reaction rates, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, and redox reactions. The course includes an emphasis on using mathematics with a primary objective of developing students' thinking and reasoning skills.



Honors Chemistryclearpixel
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Grades: 10-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10

Prerequisite: Algebra 1 and approval of the student's application by the Science Department Honors Committee.
College Entrance Requirements: Applies to CSU and UC science entrance requirements.
Description: Honors Chemistry is faster paced and it goes into more detail than Chemistry. (See description for Chemistry.)



Physicsclearpixel
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Grades: 11-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10
Prerequisite: Open to all students who have completed Biology with grades of C or better.
College Entrance Requirements: Applies to CSU and UC science entrance requirements.
Description: This is an introductory course designed to meet the needs of the college-bound student. Classroom work and laboratory investigations are utilized in achieving the objectives of the course. The course will involve studying the following: the scientific method, linear motion, circular motions, vectors, forces., Newton's Three Laws, the Universal Law of Gravitation, energy, work, power, waves, light, static electricity (DC), thermodynamics, and relativity. The course emphasizes the use of mathematics with a primary objective of developing students' thinking and reasoning skills.



Anatomy & Physiologyclearpixel
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Grades: 11-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10

Prerequisite: Open to students completing Chemistry or Physics with grades of C or better.
College Entrance Requirements: Applies to CSU and UC science entrance requirements.
Description: This course offers an in-depth study of the structure and function of the human body. Areas of focus include the skeletal and muscular system, digestion and metabolism, circulation and respiration, excretion, the endocrine and immune systems, reproduction, the nervous system, and health and homeostasis in general. This laboratory based course is designed for those considering medically related professions or those with a further interest in organismal biology.



ROP Environmental Scienceclearpixel
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Grades: 11-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 20 (2 class periods)

Prerequisite: Completion of 1 year of high school science with passing grades.
College Entrance Requirements: Applies to CSU and UC science entrance requirements.

Advanced Placement (AP) Coursesclearpixel
AP courses offer an opportunity for students to do college level work in the comfort of the high school setting. Most colleges and universities award credit to students with satisfactory performances of the Advanced Placement exams. This may also allow science majors to pursue more advanced classes or qualify as a science requirement for non-science majors. All students enrolled in AP courses are expected to prepare for and to take the AP examinations.

AP Biologyclearpixel
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Grades: 11-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10
Prerequisite: Open to students completing Chemistry with grades of B or better; open to Physics students and other Chemistry students with teacher approval.
College Entrance Requirements: Applies to CSU and UC science entrance requirements.
Description: This laboratory course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory Biology course for biology majors. Areas of study include in-depth studies of molecules, cells, heredity, evolution, diversity, organisms, populations and ecology. Students will have the opportunity to develop the conceptual framework, factual knowledge and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology.



AP Physicsclearpixel
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Grades: 11-12
Length of course: 1 year
Credits: 10
Prerequisite: Open to Physics students with grades of C or better (B's recommended). Also open to Chemistry students with 85% or better or teacher approval.
College Entrance Requirements: Applies to CSU and UC science entrance requirements.
Description: The course is an in-depth study of the topics of mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, sound and modern physics. It is highly mathematically oriented and designed to prepare students for the Physics B examination and the possibility of credit for a year of college non-calculus based physics.



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