SDA SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

RECOMMENDED PATHWAYS   

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HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Students are required to take a MINIMUM of two years of science for high school graduation, one year of physical and one year of life science.  It is recommended that students take at least three years of science one in each year of grades  9, 10, 11.
COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS

UC/CSU REQUIREMENTS:  at least 2 years of  college preparatory laboratory science, 3 years is recommended and should include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

***Earth and Space  fulfills the high school requirement for physical science AND is also a college preparatory elective (in the “g” category for the UC/CSU requirements).  It is a very valuable class that is STRONGLY recommended for freshman and all students.  It offers immediate, tangible relevance to the current issues happening locally, nationally, and internationally. Not only does this class bring awareness of the world around us, but also inspires a readiness to learn and understand the connectedness of the mechanisms that drive the processes that are addressed in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.  Although many students are eager to take Biology their freshmen year, taking Earth and Space first will allow them to achieve a more mature understanding and greater success in all science courses taken later.***

Possible pathways depending on goals:

High School Graduation

Marine Biology

Earth and Space

*Biology, Intro to Biotechnology, Physics, or Chemistry

*3rd year recommended but not required

College Prep/ non-science major

Earth and Space

Biology

Chemistry,  or Physics

Physics or Chemistry  OR

Applied Biotechnology ('09-'10) and Principles of Biotechnology ('10-'11)

Chemistry for Biotechnology ('09-'10)

 

 

College Prep/ Science major

Earth and Space

Biology

Chemistry or Physics (and  corresponding AP course)

AP Bio** & AP Environmental

OR

Applied Biotechnology ('09-'10) and Principles of Biotechnology ('10-'11)

Chemistry for Biotechnology ('09-'10)

 

 

College Prep/ Science major w/ 2 AP courses

Biology

Chemistry & AP Chemistry

AP Biology** &/or AP Environmental

Physics  and

AP Physics B &AP Physics C

 

College Prep/ Engineering major

Biology

Earth and Space

Chemistry 

Physics  & AP Physics C*

*Completion of Calculus strongly recommended for AP Physics C  class*

 

 Career Pathway

Health Care Essentials ROP

and/or

Intro to Biotechnology

Chemistry for Biotechnology

Applied Biotechnology

Principles of Biotechnology