Norco High School Science Course Description
Course / Description / General Student Expectation(may vary with teacher) / Tutoring
(may vary with teacher) / Pre-Science Class
Recommendation / Target Students / A-G Requirement
Anatomy& Physiology
/ This course is designed to prepare students for the college study of biology, nursing, and/or medicine. The laboratory portion of the course centers on vertebrate dissections and is integral to reinforce subject area content. / At least 15min a night to vocabulary terms/diagrams. Stay current with work and notes, regular attendance, and good study skills. Class is for RCC articulation credit, standards are of a college course. / Before school, lunch and after school by student request / B or better in biology. / Motivated college bound students interested in studying biology, nursing or medicine. / D
Life Science
Astronomy
/ This course is designed to discuss topics of early astronomy, structure of the solar system and types of planets, satellites, rings, comets, meteors, and asteroids, structures and evolution of stars and galaxies, and cosmology. / Internet activities, posters, presentations, creative art projects, labs. Most of everything is done in class, including projects, minimal time spent on homework as long as you spend class time wisely / Before school everyday except Tuesdays and only at Lunch on Tuesdays / C or better in Biology or Natural Science / 10th -12th grade who are interested in Astronomy / D
Physical Science
Oceanography
/ Physical oceanography. Focus on chemical, geological and physical nature of the ocean and ocean processes. Community service opportunities are available. This class is lab intensive. / Read chapters so that multiple labs that are part of most chapters make sense. Vocabulary and Chapter questions provide basic foundation in understanding Ocean concepts and processes. Dissections may be involved. / Before school and lunch-make arrangements prior to day of tutoring / C or better in biology or natural science / Motivated 10-12 graders who find Natural Science no t a challenge, but see Chemistry as too difficult at this time / D
Physical Science
Physics
/ Topics include motion, momentum, work, energy, power, waves, sound, light and electricity. Community service opportunities are available. / Multiple labs are part of each chapter, quarter projects may be done individually or with another person. Science projects are not required but suggested (EC available). / Before school, during lunch and afterschool (by appt) / Minimum of B or better in Algebra I, highly suggested you be in Algebra II, this course can be taken before chemistry / Motivated-college bound students are highly advised to take this course / D
Physical Science
Physics & Tech
/ Hands on way to learn physics. Function generators, power supplies, multi-meters, motors etc. Labs use industrial equipments. Take a key physics concept and apply it to mechanical, fluid, electrical and thermal systems. / You are given a lot of time in class to do work; whatever you do not finish will be homework. Very repetitive, Notes, homework, worksheet, lab. Lots of Labs!! / Before school everyday except Tuesdays and only at Lunch on Tuesdays / C or better in Chemistry
C or better in both Algebra 1 and Geometry / 11th-12th grade, especially students that want to vocational career. / D
Physical Science
Chemistry
/ College-preparatory science course integrating math skills to the elements on the periodic table. Exploration of different chemicals and their reactions. / Daily commitment to homework. (20min/day) Quarter projects, at least one lab per chapter, willingness to review and study. Internet homework (Quest) required per chapter. / During lunch, throughout the class time / Minimum of B or better in Algebra I for sophomores. C or better for juniors and seniors. / Motivated- college bound students, with algebraic skills. / D
Physical Science
Course / Description / General Student Expectation
(may vary with teacher) / Tutoring
(may vary with teacher) / Pre-Science Class
Recommendation / Target Students / A-G Requirement
Zoology
/ Introduction to various vertebrate and invertebrate animals, their evolutionary relationship, and biology including anatomy and physiology, behavior and ecology. The course represents a sampling of various animal groups and related biological topics. This is NOT a course on human biology. / Dissections on preserved and living animal specimens. If use of animals in lab is disconcerting, please do not take the class. Willingness to learn material’s diversity, complexity and associated names and terms. / During class / none / The course is a gate-way or foundation course for majors in zoology or biologically related fields. / D
Life Science
Natural Science
/ Introductory course to Earth Science and Physics. Focuses on dynamic Earth and on the processes taking place in the oceans and the atmosphere. Solar system and universe as well as laws of motion, magnetism and electricity are also explored. / Notebook keeping, labs, activities on introductory Earth science concepts, vocabulary memorization. Not recommended as a preparatory class for college. / During lunch, throughout the class / none / Not a class to be taken for college prep. / G
Physical Science
Environmental Science
/ An introductory course in Environmental Science. The goal of this course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies to understand interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man-made, and to evaluate the risks associated with these problems and examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. / Notebook required, lab activities, occasional field trips. Homework is minimal so long as daily work and assignments are completed efficiently during class time. / During lunch and after school. / Passing grade in Biology 1A. / 10th-12th grade students interested in the environment and environmentally based topics. / G
Physical Science
Biology
/ College preparatory course in biological science. Laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Topics covered include life functions, physiological mechanisms, cell biology, molecular biology, natural selection and heredity. An emphasis is placed on the evaluation of scientific and technological advances in the area of biological science / Notebook required, lab activities, homework on a regular basis / Varies with teacher / None / All 9th grade / D
Life Science
*ALL SCIENCE CLASSES ARE NCAA APPROVED*
Science path at Norco High School,
· Need 1 year of LIFE Science
§ Need 1 year of PHYSICAL Science
§ Need 1 year of ELECTIVE Science
Norco High School Science Course Description
Course / Description / General Student Expectation(may vary with teacher) / Tutoring
(may vary with teacher) / Pre-Science Class
Recommendation / Target Students / A-G Requirement
AP Environemtal Science
/ The AP Environmental Science
Stresses scientific principles and analysis and Includes a laboratory component; emphasizes the study of environmental issues from a sociological or political perspective rather than a scientific one . The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the
interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them . / Notebook required, lab activities, homework on a regular basis
Community service hours can be earned
Participate in local cleanups, habitat restoration, etc… / Varies with teacher
Online links to assist
*Text website
*Hippocampus
*Cengage / Successful completion of Chemistry / All 10-12th grade / D
Life Science
AP Biology
/ The AP Biology course is one that focuses on enduring, conceptual understandings and the content that supports them. This approach enables students to spend less time on factual recall and more time on inquiry-based learning of essential concepts, and will help students develop the reasoning skills necessary to engage in the science practices used throughout the course. / Notebook required, lab activities with mini-lab reports and 1 formal report per quarter
Daily willingness and commitment to homework or studying. Projects, inquiry-based labs designed by student / Before school, lunch and after school by student request
Online podcast videos, animations, and tutoring sites available / B’s or better in Honors Biology
A’s in Biology / Motivated college bound students interested in studying biology, nursing or medicine, biotechnology, etc. / D
Life Science