GALILEO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
11th & 12th Grade COURSE CATALOG
2016-2017
ENGLISH
11th Grade:
ENGL153: American Literature
This course will further explore the American Literature that began in the 10th grade with selections taken from all genres. Attention is given to major thematic ideas such as Regionalism, Transcendentalism, Puritanism, Nationalism, as well as to major American authors and significant historical periods.
AMLT100: American Literature—Music as Literature
Do you love music? If so, this class just might sing your tune. This literature course
will take a look at America through one of the most artistic creations of our
nation--music. We will study lyrics to come up with answers to the following
questions: How does music reflect our lives? How does it reflect our history? How
can it affect change? Music tells stories, just as much as our classical novels, and in
this American literature class, we will learn to analyze music just as we do the classics.
AMLT150: American Literature with a Disney Twist
Throughout the course we will study literature, history and pop culture while
exploring the connections with Walt Disney’s legend. We will address literature
connected to Frontier America, the American Adventure, Main Street America,
and the influence of Fantasy, the Future/ Tomorrow as well as the development
of Animation. Every unit will link to Walt Disney’s work, influence and vision.
AMLT250: American Literature Honors
Eleventh grade English Honors builds on the foundation set in ninth and tenth English
Honors. American Literature Honors students continue to develop their critical and
analytical thinking skills through a variety of spoken and written assignments. Because
of the students' intellectual curiosity, efficient use of time, and effective organization
those spoken and written assignments are completed at a high level of sophistication
and eloquence. Their study of figurative language is enhanced by a particular focus on
the thematic elements inherent to the genre of American Literature.
ENGL351: AP Language and Composition
This course engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of
periods and disciplines. We will deepen our appreciation of the ways in which writers use
language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their reader; you will incorporate your
understanding of the authors writing within your own. The course will concentrate on the
experience, the interpretation, and the evaluation of prose. The readings are primarily, but
not exclusively, American - a combination of non-fiction, drama, literature, and poetry.
12th Grade:
ENGL154: English/European Literature
This course will focus on British and European literature which reflects those western
civilization values that have influenced American culture.
EURO100: English/European Lit: Focus on Law
Do you have a problem with authority? Do you wish you knew more about your
rights? Do you have any interest in becoming a trial lawyer? If you answered "yes" to
any of these questions, then this is the class for you. English FoL provides the
expertise needed to bring cases to trial and gives full credit for 12th Grade English.
Become the envy of your friends as you learn what it takes to be a well-paid attorney!
Develop skills you can actually use in real life!
EURO150: Food in English/European Literature
"There are three important things in life. The first is to eat well, and. . . I have forgotten the others.” -- Marquise de Sévigné
Do you agree with this quote? If so, this course is for you. This is a genre course
emphasizing the role of food, beverages and eating in English European Literature. We
will explore both the joyful and the dark sides of food, beverages and eating and we will
trace how “taste” helps determine the various ways in which we understand our world.
We will complete creative and intellectual projects toward the “writing of food” and end
the course with a cook-off, imitating meals and significant scenes from literary works
involving food and beverages. And of course, we will eat well!
EURO160: Literature and Performance
Full of drama and only have room for core classes? Join our dramatic literature reading, writing, and performance class. You will get A-G credit for an English/European Literature class while studying, writing about, and performing dramatic literature from Shakespeare to Beckett.
EURO200: Women and Literature
Because the education of women was not common until the nineteenth century, the area of British literature was once largely male dominated: the role of women was most often to inspire rather than to create. Since then, however, the literary contributions of women have become increasingly important. The course will examine the female storytellers, poets and prophets, the authors of dreams and ideas--the voices to whom we now listen.
EURO250: English/European Literature Honors
As a rule, the work of Honors English European Literature differs from that of the
regular English course in quantity, pace and sophistication. Typically, honors students
read and write more than students in regular courses. They participate in swiftly paced,
complex discussions of literary texts and essay writing. Their interpretive writings are
more complex than those addressed by students in regular courses. Honors courses
require a greater amount of skill, work and time than regular courses, thus often
exposing students to the rigors of college academics.
ENGL350: AP English Literature and Composition
Do you love to read and write? Then this is the course for you.
This academically rigorous and challenging course imitates college material and
emphasizes writing concisely, thinking clearly and reading critically. A wide range of
literature is covered: novel, novella, poetry, tragedy, comedy and other types of
literature from the Ancient Greek to 20th Century time periods.
MATHEMATICS(11th 12th grade)
ALGC152: Algebra 2
Students in this course will continue their study of functions and their graphs: linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, rational and irrational. This includes transformations of graphs, representing functions in multiple ways and understanding the connections among the representations and using functions to model real-world situations. They will also study systems of linear functions, systems of linear inequality, solving polynomial and rational equations, sequences and series, and probability and statistics.
ALGC252: Algebra 2/Pre Calculus Hybrid
This course covers the topics of Algebra 2 in more depth with some additional topics in Pre-calculus such as trigonometry. Students deal with more challenging problems, including complex word problems. New topics are approached more rapidly and are studied in greater detail. This course is specifically designed to prepare students for future AP math courses.
PCAL150: Pre-Calculus
Students in this course will further their study of functions and their graphs: rational functions, piecewise functions and trigonometric functions. Students will be able to find inverse of functions as well as learn how to compose functions. In addition, students will study trigonometric identities, laws of sines and cosines, conic sections, polar equations and their graphs, conic sections, vectors, sequences and limits of sequences, and introduction to limits. Complex numbers, mathematical induction, the fundamental theorem of algebra, andparametric equations are also studied.
PCAL250: Pre-Calculus Honors
This one year course covers the topics covered in pre-calculus in a more in-depth approach than the pre-calculus course. Students will regularly deal with more challenging problems, including complex word problems. New topics are approached more rapidly and immediately adopted. Topics are studied in greater detail. Precise terminology is emphasized and not explained on tests. Minimal review of previously learned algebra, other topics or technology is provided.Students are expected to review on their own.
STAT150: Probability & Statistics
This one year course covers the broad topics of statistics and probability in more depth than is covered in students previous math courses. The students in this course will study descriptive statistics, organization of data, presentation of data, probability theory, sampling, and other related topics.
STAT350: AP Statistics
Students in this college level course will study four major areas: exploratory analysis of data (use of graphical and numerical techniques to study patterns and departures from patterns), planning a study (data must be collected according to a well-developed plan if valid information on a conjecture is to be obtained), probability (used for anticipating what distribution data should look like under a given model), and statistical inferences (selection of appropriate models).
CALC350: AP Calculus – AB
This is a college level course in introductory calculus. The content follows the topics outlined by the College Board. In general, students in the AB course study topics in functions, graphs, limits, continuity, and techniques and applications of differential and integral calculus.
CALC351: AP Calculus – BC
This is also a college level calculus course. Students in the BC course study all topics in the AB course in addition to functions defined in polar and parametric forms, sequences, series, more applications of derivatives, more techniques and application of antiderivatives as outlined by the College Board.
SCIENCE(11th, 12th grade)
BIOL350: AP Biology
This course is the equivalent to an introductory college level biology course. The course requires significant amounts of reading and outside studying. In the spring, a cumulative AP Biology exam is administered by the College Board. Successful completion of the exam could lead to college credit.
Prerequisite: B or higher in current science class (or instructor’s consent)
Fulfills one year of UC-d lab life science requirement
BIOT951: Principles of Biotechnology 1
Principles of Biotechnology explores how medicines are created and how the machinery of molecular biology is utilized for human use. Emphasis on laboratory skills for biology research as well as industry interactions including guest speakers, company research and the following topics:Drug Development and the FDA,Basic Molecular Biology Concepts, Genetics and Mutant Fruit Fly Lab,Immunology & Antibody Screening Lab, DNA Purification and Cutting, PCR: Crime Scene Detective Lab, Genetically Modified Food Testing, Job Shadowing Day at Genentech, Bioethics
Fulfills one year of UC-d lab life science requirement. Principles of Biotechnology 1 available for Juniors as a 2 year commitment or as an academic elective for Seniors
BIOT952: Principles of Biotechnology 2
Principles of Biotechnology 2 explores how medicines are created and how the machinery of molecular biology is utilized for human use. Emphasis on laboratory skills for biology research as well as industry interactions including guest speakers, company research and the following topics:Basic Microbiology Techniques, Pour Agar Plates and Bacteria Swabs, Regulatory and FDA Drug Safety, Bacteria Transformation - Fluorescence Jellyfish Gene, Protein Characterization: Western Blot, Capstone Project, Bioethics.
Prerequisite: Completion of Principles of Biotechnology 1
Fulfills one year of UC-d lab life science requirement
CHEM350: AP Chemistry
This course is equivalent to first-year college chemistry for science majors. In the spring, a cumulative AP Chemistry exam is administered by the College Board. Successful completion of the exam could lead to college credit.
Prerequisite: B (or higher) in 2nd year algebra and prior chemistry (or physics) or consent of instructor.
Fulfills one year of UC-d lab physical science requirement and earns extra honors credit
ENSC350: AP Environmental Science
This course offers students a unique and exciting opportunity to explore the natural world through hands on learning and bi-monthly trips to the Presidio National Park and San Francisco National Maritime Historical Park . While working side-by-side with professional scientists, students will gain valuable workplace and life experience. Students participating in the class will earn an extra five high school science credits and at least one college credit from City College.
Career Path – Environmental Science.
AP Test-This course prepares students to take the national advanced placement exam, which if passed successfully allows them to obtain college credit for the course.
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and Chemistry with a C or better .
MBIO150: Marine Biology
Marine Biology covers the biology, ecology, chemistry, physics and geology of the ocean and ocean-linked environments. This class is suitable for students wishing to learn about the ocean through a combination of research, hands on experimentation and field studies. This class is partnered with San Francisco National Maritime Historical Park located at Hyde Street pier a 10 minute walk from Galileo. The Marine biology class goes to Hyde Street Pier and Aquatic Park once or twice per month during the block period to engage in field studies. Other classes are not affected during these short trips. There are also several optional all day field trips offered per year in this class.
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology with a C or better .
Fulfills one year of UC-d lab Life science requirement.
PHYS150: Physics
Students study the most central concepts of physics including mechanics, the wave model, electrostatics, circuits, electromagnetism, and the conservation laws (mass, energy, and momentum). Required course for AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C.
Fulfills one year of UC-d lab physical science requirement and graduation credit as a physical science
PHYS354: AP Physics 1
AP Physics 1 is a 1st year algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. This course prepares students to take the AP Physics 1 exam. Successful completion of the AP exam could lead to college credit.
Prerequisite: B or higher from Chemistry and completion of or concurrent enrollment in 2nd year algebra or consent of instructor.
Fulfills one year ofUC-d lab physical science requirement and graduation credit as a physical science
PHYS355: AP Physics 2
AP Physics 2 is a 2nd year algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores the following topics: fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. Successful completion of the AP exam could lead to college credit.
Prerequisite: Completion of any physics course (physics or AP Physics 1). Exceptions will be made in rare cases for highly capable students with permission of instructor for placement in all Physics courses.
Fulfills one year ofUC-d lab physical science requirement
PHYS352/PHYS353: AP Physics C Mechanics (Fall)/Electricity and Magnetism (spring) (*STUDENTS MUST REGISTER FOR BOTH SEMESTERS)
AP Physics C is a rigorous calculus-based physics course for future physical science majors and engineers. The fall semester focuses on mechanics and the spring semester on electricity and magnetism. This is a rigorous course that applies Calculus to physics. This course prepares students to take the national advanced placement exam.
Successful completion of the AP exam could lead to college credit.
Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in any calculus course and completion of any physics course.
Fulfills one year of UC-d lab physical science requirement
PYSO 150: Physiology
This course examines the structure and function of the human body.
Fulfills one year of UC-d lab life science requirement
SOCIAL STUDIES
11th Grade:
USHI150: United States History
During the first semester the students will have a short review of the events in the development
of the United States from the 17th through the 19th centuries. The students will then explore
several themes such as reform, expansion, war and peace, the roles of women, immigration,
ethnicity and study in-depth of the Progressive Era, World War I, the Jazz Age, the Depression,
the New Deal and World War II, Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, the turbulent 60’s, the
Vietnam Conflict both home and abroad, the changing 70’s, and the conflicting 80’s.
USHI250: United States History Honors
In addition to the course description of United States History 1 and 2, students enrolled in
United States History Honors will be given more rigorous reading and writing
assignments. Students should expect additional homework and projects. The grading scale
will also be pushed up. For example, students must earn 92% (instead of 90%) in order to get
an A-. In addition several investigative reports are expected to assess research and writing
skills.
USHI350: AP United States History
The AP United States History Course is a college-level course that involves reading and
analyzing primary and secondary sources, writing essays, and participating in
debates.Students should be able to handle independent reading and outlining (approximately
30 pages per week) and independent studying (approximately 5 hours a week outside of class)
in addition to any additional assignments distributed in class. Students should expect to
complete multiple (timed) essays and one group debate per semester.
12th Grade:
ADEM150/ECON150: American Democracy/Economics
American Democracy examines the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and national,
state and local governments. Economics examines how societies decide to use limited
resources to satisfy unlimited wants.
GVUS350/ECON250: AP U.S. Government/Economics Honors
In addition to the American Democracy/Economics course description, students will be
expected to do more rigorous reading and writing assignments such as reports, presentations, a
nd essays. The Economics component of the course will be accelerated, so that more time will
be devoted to the AP American Democracy portion of the class. Students should expect
frequent independent assignments and assessments. Tests are detailed and challenging.