Home

Return to Course Description Catalog Table of Content

science flow chart

watershed flow chart

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.