Science

Biology

Students in this course develop an understanding of organisms and the structures, functions, and processes of the components that make up living things. This includes: cell structure and division, biochemistry, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics, evolution, and human anatomy and physiology. A unit on taxonomy and aquatic ecosystems culminates in a field trip observing large marine mammals and exploring Pacific Ocean tide pools. Cooperative learning is achieved through collaborative group projects, traditional labs, and inquiry-based lab activities. Through each of these activities observational, analytical, and critical thinking skills are developed. Note taking and organization are stressed, and slide presentations, citations of sources, and public speaking are introduced and reinforced.

Textbook:

Biology (e-text) by Kenneth R. Miller and Joseph S. Levine; Pearson 2019 Edition; Do not purchase; student’s sundry account will be billed approximately $25 and an online book subscription will be provided

Conceptual Chemistry

Conceptual Chemistry introduces students to traditional chemistry topics within the context of societal issues and real-world scenarios. Topics covered include: atomic structure, the periodic table, ionic and covalent bonding, chemical names and formulas, chemical reactions, moles and stoichiometry, properties of gases, and more. Through the design of the course, students will develop critical thinking ability, environmental awareness, and foundational chemistry knowledge and skills. The course serves as a foundation for further studies in chemistry and other sciences.

Prerequisites: Biology

Textbook: Online resources will be provided

Chemistry: A Study of Matter (Online resource)

Chemistry

Chemistry provides students with a foundation in laboratory science and develops their critical thinking and investigative skills to prepare them for advanced science course work. Students learn basic chemistry concepts with an emphasis on problem solving, experimental design, and applied mathematics. Topics covered include: scientific measurement, atomic structure, electrons in atoms, the periodic table, ionic and metallic bonding, covalent bonding, chemical names and formulas, chemical quantities and chemical reactions, moles and stoichiometry, properties of gases, oxidation and reduction, and more.

Prerequisite: Algebra I

Textbook:

CK-12 Chemistry (Online resource)

Geology

This course is designed to allow students to grasp the major foundations of geology, learn field study and laboratory techniques, as well as better understand the landscapes around them. A year long course, Geology will focus primarily on the vast geologic processes and variation found in California, but will investigate Earth science on a global and planetary scale. For each major subset of Earth science, students will be tasked to connect classroom study with field excursions. Geologic subsets including but not limited to mineralogy, oceanography, paleontology, hydrology, volcanology and seismology will be introduced throughout the year and provide a launch pad for further study. Laboratory Manuals will be provided in class in addition to the following required textbooks:

Textbooks:

Earth Science, California Edition: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe Glencoe Science, California Edition, 2006; ISBN-13978-0078772696
Teach Yourself Geology: A complete Introduction by David A. Rothery; ISBN-13: 978-1529362572

Astronomy

The Astronomy course looks at the universe from a scientist’s perspective, including the history, tools and astronomical knowledge that has been collected up to today. Students will begin with a survey of the history of astronomy from a multicultural perspective, including astronomy as practiced by Chinese, Arabic, Mayan and European civilizations. Students will then explore the nature of matter and light, and the tools and techniques that astronomers use to observe the universe, including ground- and space-based telescopes, spectrometers, and interferometry. From there, students will move outward in both time and space, studying our solar system, stars and stellar evolution, galaxies, and the structure and cosmology of the universe. The class will touch on basic principles of physics and chemistry, and include guided and inquiry-based lab work. Participants will be required to attend at least two night-time observation sessions per semester and will work on projects such as moon journals, telescope building, stellar evolution charts, galaxy classification, astrophotography, and star parties.

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

Textbook:

Astronomy, 2016 Edition by Fraknoi, Morrison, and Wolff; Openstax/Rice University. ISBN-13: 978-1938168284. Available for download at https://openstax.org/details/books/astronomy

Conceptual Physics

Physics describes the world around us through the study of the relationship between energy and matter. It provides a framework for understanding many things we take for granted, such as why we don’t fly off the earth into space, how the molecules that make up our bodies stay together, how we see and hear, and how birds and airplanes can fly through the sky. This physics course provides a basic overview of the study of motion and forces, heat and temperature, sound and light, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. The course helps students think critically and analyze real-world data using demonstrations and lab activities. It requires a background in algebra and basic statistics, and will teach basic data acquisition and analysis using digital technology. Besides working collaboratively in lab groups, students will individually develop and carry out an 20%-Time project that draws on their science-related interests and uses the inquiry skills learned in this course to investigate a topic of their choice.

Prerequisites: Chemistry and Algebra I.

Textbook:

Conceptual Physics, 9th Edition by Paul G. Hewitt. ISBN-13: 978-0321052025

Marine Science

Marine Science, an upper-level science elective, integrates the disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology and technology in a hands-on course that emphasizes field-based studies. Students develop an in-depth knowledge of marine organisms, and explore environmental issues impacting marine ecosystems worldwide. Topics covered include marine advanced technology, anatomical evolution of invertebrates, marine mammal biology, and oceanography, with a special emphasis on the Southern California coast. Considerable time in this class is devoted to lab and field, including whale watching and field trips to local tide pools.

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

Textbooks:

Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells us About Ourselves by James Nestor; Eomon Dolan/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science by Tom Garrison (students do not need to purchase for this class)

AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry is a rigorous chemistry course designed to challenge students at an advanced level. A significant amount of work in the laboratory is required. Students will be posing questions, designing experiments, collecting data, analyzing it, and drawing conclusions. They will develop a deep understanding of chemical concepts and will also develop excellent problem solving skills. Students will learn to explain chemical behavior clearly and logically using current scientific theories. The course is designed to be challenging, fun, and relevant. Topics include atomic structure and properties, molecular and ionic compound structure and properties, intermolecular forces, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibrium, acids and bases, and applications of thermodynamics.

Prerequisites: Algebra I and II, Chemistry, and department approval

Textbook:

Chemistry Libre Texts Online free text

AP Environmental Science

AP Environmental Science explores key environmental issues that we face in the 21st Century while preparing students for the AP exam. Emphasis is placed on experiment design and the scientific method. Students in this course study ecosystems, human population, renewable resources, energy, pollution, economics, public policy and sustainable communities. The course strives to illustrate global environmental problems through analysis of local issues. Examples include the removal of the Matilija Dam, oil and natural gas production in Ventura County, and the use of integrated pest management in local agriculture. In addition to science, students examine the economic, social, cultural, and political aspects of environmental issues. Field trips to the Channel Islands, the Ventura River, and Rincon-Vitova Insectary are regularly included in the course curriculum.

Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, and department approval

Textbook:

Environmental Science for the AP Course, 3rd Edition by Friedland and Relyea; ISBN-13:978-1-319-11329-2

AP Biology

AP Biology is a fast-paced introductory college-level course in modern biology that prepares students for the AP examination. The course is based on four Big Ideas outlined by the College Board: Evolution, Energy Transformations, Information Transfer, and Ecological Interactions, which encompass the core scientific principles, theories and processes governing living organisms and biological systems. Through inquiry based lab investigations, students develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts. Most of the labs develop collaborative learning, but a few will be completed independently. Examples of some of the labs are: bacterial transformation, fruit fly behavior, cellular respiration lab with a CO2 probe, and artificial selection using Wisconsin Fast Plants. Additionally, AP Biology students will read the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and tour a biotech company.

Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, and department approval

Textbook and Reading List:

Campbell Biology in Focus, Hardcover 1st edition(New and Used acceptable), by Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Monorsky, Jackson; Pearson; ISBN-13: 978-0321813800
Cliffsnotes AP Biology by Phillip E. Pack
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot; ISBN-13: 978-1400052189
Student Laboratory Notebook, Item# FB2006 by Flinn Scientific

AP Physics 1

AP Physics 1 focuses on the big ideas typically included in the first semester of an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics sequence and provides students with enduring understandings to support advanced course work in the sciences. In the course, students explore the following topics: linear, circular and rotational motion, momentum and energy, and simple harmonic motion. Twenty-five percent of instructional time is spent on laboratory work with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations. Over the course of the year, students solve many physics problems, write qualitative descriptions of physics phenomena, design and analyze experiments, keep a digital lab notebook and write lab reports. The course culminates with the AP Physics 1 exam in May, and finishes with a research-based final project.

Prerequisites: Algebra II, Chemistry, and department approval.

Textbooks:

OpenStax College Physics for AP Courses (2015) by Wolfe, Gasper, Stoke, et al. ISBN: 1-938168933; Available for free download at https://openstax.org/details/books/college-physics-ap-courses

AP Physics 2

AP Physics 2 focuses on the big ideas typically included in the second semesters of an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics sequence and provides students with enduring understandings to support advanced course work in the sciences. In the course, students will explore the following topics: fluid statics and dynamics, thermodynamics, electrostatics and steady-state RC circuits, magnetism and electromagnetic induction, geometrical and physical optics, and basic quantum, nuclear and atomic physics. Twenty-five percent of instructional time will be spent on laboratory work with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations. Over the course of the year, students will solve many physics problems, write qualitative descriptions of physics phenomena, design and analyze experiments, keep a lab notebook and write lab reports. The course culminates with the AP Physics 2 exam in May, and finishes with a unit on gender representation in physics.

Prerequisites: AP Physics 1 or department approval.

Textbooks:

OpenStax College Physics for AP Courses (2015) by Wolfe, Gasper, Stoke, et al. ISBN: 1-938168933; Available for free download at https://openstax.org/details/books/college-physics-ap-courses

AP Physics C: Mechanics/Electricity and Magnetism

AP Physics C is equivalent to a calculus-based first-year college physics course for future scientists and engineers. The course is divided into two semesters of work, with the first semester covering topics from motion: kinematics and Newton’s Laws, work and energy, impulse and momentum, circular motion and rotation, oscillations and gravitation; and the second semester covering topics from electricity and magnetism: electrostatics, electric circuits, magnetism, and electromagnetism. Through the course, students will gain an understanding of the basic concepts and mathematical techniques of physics, develop attitudes of scientific curiosity and creativity, and draw connections to other disciplines and social issues like scientific integrity and environmental sustainability. Laboratory work is an integral part of this course, where students will work in small groups to design, carry out and analyze data from experiments covering a wide range of physical phenomena. The course culminates with two AP Physics C exams: AP Physics C Mechanics and AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism. The course concludes with an engineering unit on a topic specific to the Ojai Valley.

Prerequisites: AP Calculus AB and department approval.

Textbooks:

University Physics, Volume 1, (2016) by Moebs, Ling and Sanny. ISBN-13: 978-1947172203; Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/university-physics-volume-1
University Physics, Volume 2, (2016) by Ling, Moebs and Sanny. ISBN-13: 978-1947172210; Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/university-physics-volume-2

AP Computer Science Principles

The AP Computer Science Principles course complements the AP Computer Science A course. AP Computer Science A focuses on learning to program through the Java language, where AP Computer Science Principles explores the inroads computer science has made, exploring many topics that include programming, the inner workings and dilemmas of the internet, encryption, privacy, and the impacts computer science innovations have on society, culture, and economy. Students will work with multiple number systems to understand the digital representation of data, work with large data sets to analyze, visualize, and draw conclusions from trends. The course also engages students in the creative aspects of the field by allowing them to develop computational artifacts and applications based on their interests. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working individually and collaboratively to solve problems found in current digital innovations. They will discuss and write about the impacts these solutions could have on their community, society, and the world through the development of digital innovations.

Prerequisites: Must have successfully completed a first-year high school algebra course with a strong foundation on basic linear functions, and problem solving strategies that require multiple approaches, and collaborative efforts. In addition, students should be able to use a Cartesian (x, y) coordinate system to represents points in a plane.

Requirements:

Students will need a working computer with at least 100 GB of dedicated space for this class, and you will need a flash drive to transport digital files back and forth from computer to computer. We will be using many different software tools in the course, most of the software, like this course, is “open source,” which means it is free and available for anyone to download.