SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
INTRODUCTION
All students at St. Ignatius College Preparatory are required to take a minimum of two years of lab science. College bound students are advised to enroll in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Students should familiarize themselves with the science recommendations of the University of California.
Other science electives include Astronomy, Biology AP, Chemistry AP, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Physics AP "C", Environmenal Science, Engineering, and the Science Research Project and Advanced Science Research Project. All courses provide students with opportunities to develop skills in forming hypotheses, gathering and interpreting data, and drawing conclusions. In each course, science as a process is the unifying theme. All science courses, with the exception of the Science Research Project and Engineering courses fulfill UC’s lab science requirement. Science Research Project and Engineering are UC approved as electives. UC requires students to take both natural and physical sciences.
COURSES
BIOLOGY (3010) (Natural Science)
- Grade Level - 9, 10
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Elective meeting one year of graduation requirement of two years of science
- Prerequisite - None
- Criteria for Enrollment - None
- Course Description - To prepare our students to enter college and ultimately the work force as scientifically literate citizens (AAAS, 2001), we need to help them master the critical thinking skills that will allow them to make informed decisions in a world increasingly impacted by science. At the same time, we will be helping them to develop an appreciation for the natural world and their role in its stewardship. Units in this course are rooted in evolutionary biology and include — evolution, genetics and heredity, cells, human reproduction, and ecology.
CHEMISTRY (3030) (Physical Science)
- Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science.
- Prerequisite - One year of science at St. Ignatius; grade of C or higher in Algebra 1; students who will be sophomores must have a grade of C or better both semesters and recommendation of current science teacher.
- Criteria for Enrollment - None
- Course Description - This first-year chemistry course served as an introduction to chemistry at the college level. It is an overview of inorganic chemistry that strives to involve the students as much as possible in their own learning of chemistry. Laboratory work is integral to this course, which stresses both quantitative problem solving and conceptual understanding of chemical principles.
CHEMISTRY HONORS (3033) (Physical Science)
- Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science.
- Prerequisite - A core science GPA of 3.3 or higher; completion of Algebra I Accelerated or Algebra 2H, with an average GPA of 3.3 or higher; overall GPA of 3.2 or higher.
- Course Description - In the Honors Chemistry course, major chemical principles, applications, and calculations will be covered. Topics will include chemical symbols and equations, the mole concept, prediction of reactant and product, atomic theory, behavior of gases, solutions, and acids and bases. Many of these concepts will be similar to the college prep Chemistry course, but will be covered in more extensive detail, at a faster pace and will require additional mathematical application. Additional curriculum topics will include dynamic equlibria and organic chemistry. In the laboratory portion of this class, analytical skills will be developed through "hands-on" laboratory experience.
PHYSICS (3041) (Physical Science)
- Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science
- Prerequisite - A grade of C or higher in Algebra 1
- Course Description - This is a multifaceted course that explores an intimate awareness of the physical laws of our universe through study in the classroom and laboratory. Topics covered include mechanics, dynamics, energy, harmonic motion, waves, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. The course will balance both a conceptual and mathematical understanding of physical laws.
PHYSICS HONORS (3044) (Physical Science)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science and the prerequisite for Physics AP "C".
- Prerequisite - Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry. Previous or concurrent enrollment in Precalculus Accelerated or Precalculus Honors.
- Course Description - This course develops the student's ability to analyze natural phenomena by applying physical principles to conceptual examples and mathematical relationships. Students perform experiments to develop proficiency in laboratory technique, and to allow the application of physical principles to analysis of experimental data. Algebra and trigonometry are used to solve reallife problems. Topics are selected from areas of mechanics, dynamics, harmonic motion, waves, sound, light, fluids, electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Students may take the AP Physics B exam in May.
Science Electives
ASTRONOMY (3055) (Physical Science)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Class - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science
- Prerequisite - Successful completion of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics; core science GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Course Description - This course serves as an introduction to astronomy, wherein students apply fundamental concepts learned in biology, chemistry, and physics to new problems in astronomy. Topics include constellation study and star identification, motion of the night sky, motion and appearance of the moon and planets, the properties of stars, galaxies, nebulae, and exotic concepts such as black holes, quasars, pulsars, extrasolar planets, curved spacetime, the Big Bang, and dark matter. Weekly laboratory component includes computer work, image analysis, and telescope use and care. A handful of nighttime or early morning observation sessions will be required.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY (3014) (Natural Science)
- Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Elective meeting one year of graduation requirement of two years of science
- Prerequisite - (1) Overall GPA of 3.00 and successful completion of Biology, Chemistry, Physics with a core science GPA of 3.00 or higher OR with Department approval based on: An A- in Biology both semesters during the academic year (or an A in Summer School) and a 3.7 cumulative GPA and application.
- Criteria for Enrollment - Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.
- Course Description - This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course and to prepare the student for the advanced placement exam given in May. This course is an in-depth, content intensive study of biological principles which include laboratory investigations dealing with cell biology, genetics, DNA technology, enzyme catalysis, photosynthetic rate, ecology, evolution and physiology. Students are required to attend several double-period labs (before or after school or at lunch) throughout the year.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY (3034) (Physical Science)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science.
- Prerequisite - (1) Overall GPA of 3.40 and (2) successful completion of Chemistry, Physics with a 3.3 average OR with department approval based on: a grade of A in Algebra 2H, a grade of A in AP Biology, and a Science/Math cumulative GPA of 3.7 and application.
- Criteria for Enrollment - Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.
- Course Description - Advanced Placement Chemistry is based on the College Board’s curriculum, and is the equivalent of a first-year college Chemistry course. Topics include strong emphasis on chemical calculations, including modern atomic theory, molecular bonding and hybridization and organic chemistry, stoichiometry, thermodynamic, kinetics, aqueous equilibrium (acids and bases, precipitation), reduction and oxidation, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. In addition, a rigorous laboratory component supplementing all the lecture topics must be completed as part of the course requirements. Students are encouraged to participate in additional class meetings (lunch time review/problem solving sessions) to better prepare for the Exam. Students are required to attend two labs during lunch each month.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS "C" (3047) (Physical Science)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Class - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science
- Prerequisite - Successful completion of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics; previous or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus AB or BC; GPA of 3.3 or higher in Physics Honors or 3.6 or higher in Physics.
- Criteria for Enrollment - Students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.
- Course Description - This course is taught at the equivalent level of a first-year college Physics course taken by scientists and engineers. Topics in the first semester include kinematics, Newton's laws (forces), celestial motion, conservation of energy and momentum, harmonic motion, and rotational motion. Topics in the second semester include Electrostatics, electricity, magnetism, Maxwell’s equations and circuit analysis. Use of calculus in problem solving is expected to increase as the course progresses. Students are required to participate in a Saturday review session before the AP Examination in May.
ENGINEERING (3058) (Physical Science)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Class - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science.
- Prerequisite - Successful completion of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics; core sicence GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Course Description - This course acts an introduction to the concepts and methods of engineering, with an intensive "hands-on" laboratory/workshop component. Topics may include mechanical, electrical, robotic, computer, aeronautical, automotive, acoustic, naval, civl, fluid and/or chemical engineering. Students will be expected to conceptualize, design, build, and debug a variety of projects, working independently or in collaboration with other students. A handful of off-campus field trips to visit engineering projects may be required.
HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (3050) (Natural Science)
- Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Class - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science.
- Prerequisite - Grade of C+ or better in previous science classes, or with consent of instructor.
- Course Description - The human body is a beautiful showcase of nature's design and organization. Through an indepth study of the structures and functions of the major body systems, nutrition and dynamic body movement, the student will gain an understanding and appreciation of how his or her body works. This class offers the students a "hands-on" approach to learning through dissections, presentations, performance, research, multimedia projects, field studies and observations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE (3052) (Natural Science)
- Grade Level - 11, 12
- Length - One Year
- Type of Course - Elective meeting graduation requirement of two years of science.
- Prerequisite - One year of Biology and one year of Chemistry.
- Course Description - Environmental Science: An Ecological Perspective is a project and inquiry learning based course that investigates the science behind today's environmental issues. Students will be immersed in hands-on science activities, group work, discussions of current scientific research, a long-term scientific investigation, decision-making based on their critical thinking skills, and designing of inquiry-based experiments. Students will be involved in at least one laboratory experiment per week. The course is designed as a modular course that offers students a holistic approach of environmental issues by exploring current environmental problems from a scientific interdisciplinary perspective. While topics will focus of life science related issues, it will also incorporate some basic geological, physical, chemical and technological components that directly impact the life science processes.
SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT (3060) (Physical or Natural Science)
- Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
- Length - One Semester
- Type of Course - Elective; taken as an independent study with the guidance of science teacher.
- Prerequisite - None
- Criteria for Enrollment - Permission of Department Chair and instructor.
- Course Description - Students perform one or more independent science or engineering research projects, in laboratory or field settings, on topics of their own choice. The meeting times are flexible and will be arranged to fit the schedules of the students. This course offers the opportunity to show on the academic record the maturity and selfdiscipline required to perform independent study. Areas of study may be from any area of science or engineering, including: quantum physics, astronomy, robotics, electronics, biotechnology, geology, meteorology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, oceanography, marine biology, etc., as well as traditional areas of biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. Students will gain direct experience in research methodologies used by professional scientists and engineers in industry and academia.
This course is taken in addition to the science requirement for graduation. Enrollment in Science Research does not qualify a student for a study period during the regular academic day.
ADVANCED SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT (3065) (Physical or Natural Science)
- Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
- Length - One Semester
- Type of Course - Elective; taken as an independent study with the guidance of science teacher.
- Prerequisite - Completion of one semester Science Research Project
- Criteria for Enrollment - Permission of Department Chair and instructor.
- Course Description - Students perform one or more additional independent science or engineering research projects, beyond those completed in the first semester Science Research Project course, or perform a substantial extension of a project completed in the previous course. This is an independent study course, with flexible meeting times that will be arranged to fit the schedules of the students. Collaborative projects performed by teams of two students are also possible in this course.
This course is taken in addition to the science requirement for graduation. Enrollment in Advanced Science Research does not qualify a student for a study period during the regular academic day.