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SCIENCE
Three years of science are required.
Stars to Streams:
INTEGRATED EARTH
Grade Level: 9 or entry level science courses
Length: 1 year
Prerequisite: None
This course will satisfy one year of the two-year science graduation requirement--fulfilling
either Physical or Life Science requirements. This course will provide students
with an understanding of their local environment though the study of the
earth, field and sky and will be aligned with Earth Science Standards. Students
will study minerals, rocks, chemistry, meterology, solar system and water
quality. This not a college prep course. It is intended as a 1st year science
course for
low skill students – 3.0 or below JHS.
Mind Over Matter:
INTEGRATED LIFE
Grade Level: 9-12
Length: 1 year
Prerequisite: Integrated Science I
The second year of a sequenced two-year course formally called Integrated
Science. The course is designed primarily for
sophomores. This not a college prep course. Intended as a 2nd year science
course following Integrated Science I. This course emphasizes Human Biology
and covers all biology standards.
MARINE SCIENCE
Grade Level: 11-12
Length: 1 year
Prerequisite: None
Student Level: This course is designed for students of average academic ability
who do not intend to attend a college or university other than junior college
immediately following graduation.
This course explores both the biological and physical aspects of the ocean.
We will study everything from sea otters and whales to plankton and wetlands,
with seawater chemistry and tides in between. Be prepared to miss two days
of classes on action-packed field trips. Credit will be granted for either
a biological or physical science. This course is not a CSU/UC lab science.
Requires Integrated Science II. Offered in summer school.
BIOLOGY
Grade Level: 9-12
Length: 1 year
UC Requirement Fulfilled: D
Prerequisite: requires excellent study skills (A/B in Algebra/Geometry and/or foreign
language classes). 9th grade Biology requires enrollment in Geometry or
concurrent enrollment in Algebra I and 3.5 GPA from middle school.
Student Level: This course is designed for students of strong
academic skills who are bound for college or university and interested
in a career in science,
engineering, technology or mathematics. Topics of study include ecology, basic
chemistry, cell structure, genetics, evolution, recombinant DNA technology,
and plant and animal anatomy and physiology.
There will be considerable lab work as well as lecture.
CHEMISTRY
Grade Level: 10-12
Length: 1 year
UC Requirement Fulfilled: D
Prerequisite: Students must pass Algebra I or IMP I and previous science
courses with a grade of "C" or higher
Student Level: Chemistry is designed for the college or university bound
student who also has a basic understanding of Algebra.
This is a second year college prep course following biology and requires
an A or B in biology and previous math classes.
This class is designed to teach the student about interactions of matter
and chemical laws and theories through class demonstrations, lectures, student
30 laboratory experiments and problem solutions. Students study atomic theory,
kinetic theory, atomic structure, and principles of chemistry.
It is recommended that students prepare for this class by memorizing the symbols and valences over the summer. Copies are available at school during June and August, or at the District Office 335-4701 during July. Or you can go on the website at http://boomeria.org/homestuff.html
PHYSICS
Grade Level: 11-12
Length: 1 year
UC Requirement Fulfilled: D
Prerequisite: Students must pass Algebra II or IMP 3 and previous science
courses with a grade of "C" or higher. It is also strongly recommended
that the students who enroll in this course be also concurrently enrolled
in Math Analysis. Student Level: Physics is designed for the college or university
bound student with a good math background who has a desire to learn more
about mechanics, energy, heat, sound, light, magnetism, electricity, electronics,
and nuclear action.
This course prepares students for careers in science, engineering, technology,
medicine, and teaching. It is a third year college prep course. This is generally
a junior or senior level course and requires A/B in previous math classes.
It is recommended that students prepare for this class by memorizing the symbols and valences over the summer. Copies are available at school during June and August, or at the District Office 335-4701 during July. Or you can go on the website at http://boomeria.org/homestuff.html
OCEANOGRAPHY
Grade level: 11-12
Length: 1 year
UC Requirement Fulfilled: G
Prerequisite: Students must pass both Integrated Science 1 and 2 or Biology
with grade of "C" or higher.
This course is designed for students bound for community or California State
University. This is an exciting advanced marine science course. Oceanography
applies and connects such science disciplines as geology, astronomy,
meteorology, and ecology to understand the oceanic portion of the planet.
This is a college prep, laboratory based course, intended as a 3rd
year science.
ADVANCED
PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Grade level: 11 or 12
Length: 1 year
Prerequisite: 2 years of science or consent of instructor
UC Requirement Fulfilled: D/1 semester of AP credit
Environmental science is interdisciplinary you will cover aspects
of Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students will be involved
in laboratory activities, local and overnight field trips and environmental
service. Computer technologies explored include: spreadsheets,
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and PowerPoint. (Note: This course is
available without the AP option and fulfills the UC G requirement) This course
requires success in biology, chemistry preferred. It can serve as a college
prep alternative to chemistry and can be taken for AP credit.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
Grade level: 11-12
Length: student determined
Prerequisite: AP Environmental Science or concurrent
Students will be involved with ongoing field and lab-based environmental
monitoring project mentored by a professional. Class does not meet on a regular
basis. Students need to record 4 or more hours of work a month and maintain
contact with mentor and instructor. State of the art equipment provided for
each project and lab time available before school, at lunch and after school.
Topics include phytoplankton, beach profiling, tide pools, water quality,
riparian birds, soil and weather. Projects will be presented at the County
Science Fair, Monterey Bay Sanctuary Symposium and Watershed Symposium. This
course is required of Honors Watershed Academy students.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
Grade Level: 11-12
Length: 1 year
UC Requirement Fulfilled: D
Prerequisites: Students must pass Biology and Chemistry
A.P. Biology is a rigorous course taught at college level. It is equivalent
to the first year of Biology offered at major universities throughout the
country. Students use a college textbook, complete college level units and
explore the complex and exciting world of Biology by performing college level
labs. Major units covered are Chemistry of life, Cells, Cellular Energetics,
Heredity, Molecular Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, Diversity of Organisms,
Structure and Function of Plants and Animals, and Ecology. At the end of
the year students have the option to take the Advanced Placement Exam in
Biology, and if they pass, can earn up to one full year of College credit
in Biology. This course requires success in biology and chemistry and is
generally a senior level course.
WATERSHED ACADEMY
A 9-12 grade Science/Environmental Technology Program
The Watershed Academy is a four-year science and technology program featuring
our local watershed as the thematic structure. The Watershed Academy offers
two pathways: Honors Academy students will graduate with four years of college
preparatory science; while Academy students graduate with 4 years of science
and at least 2 years of college preparatory science. All Academy students interact
with great peer group of similarly motivated students and teachers. They graduate
with a wealth of real-life experiences including beach profiling, steelhead
monitoring, Santa Cruz County Science Fair participation and Remotely Operated
Vehicle (ROV) competitions. The Academy offers unique courses and programs
such as Aquaculture 1 and 2, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Environmental
Monitoring, Watershed tutorial, field trips, technology and career skills,
job shadowing opportunities, mentoring and internships. Applications and brochures
for the program are available in the high school counseling office.
Watershed Honors Pathway: 4 years of college prep science including AP Environmental (plus Environmental Monitoring) and Aquaculture 1 and 2 years of tutorial (9th/10th).
Watershed Pathway: 3 to 4 years of science including biology, tutorial and Environmental science and Aquaculture 1 and 2.
AQUACULTURE 1
Grade Level: 10
Length: 1 year
Students will design and construct a hatchery, raise freshwater organisms
in an aquaculture setting, design, build and monitor a water circulation
system. Apply science, math and technology skills to operate, maintain and
troubleshoot hatchery operations.
| Course Sequence | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th |
| Watershed | •Integrated Science 1 |
•Biology • Tutorial • Aquaculture 1 |
•Environmental Science • Environmental Monitoring |
•Aquaculture 2 • (optional science) |
| Watershed Honors | •Biology • Tutorial |
•Chemistry • Aquaculture 1 |
•AP Environmental Science • Environmental Monitoring |
•Physics and/or AP Biology |
Oral communications is strongly recommended for freshmen and TEAM is strongly recommended for sophomores.

