Folsom High School

Science Course Options

High School Graduation Requirements:

3 years of Science or

2 Science and One CTE

At least one course must be Physical Science &

one course must be Life Science

UC/CSU Require 2 years of Lab Science,

3 years Highly Recommended

Why take 3+ years

of High School Science? • Increase chances of getting into

UC/CSU or other college of choice.

• Science/medical/engineering majors.

• Business careers benefit from data analysis learned in science.

• Strengthens study and thinking skills required for college.

• Provides more options for changing personal goals and interests.

• It’s fun!

Grade-level Course Options

9th grade 10th grade 11th grade 12th grade

Physical/

Earth

Science

Biology (May be taken in 9th if

student is concurrently

enrolled in Integrated

Math II and excelled in

Science in middle

school)

Chemistry

Honors Chemistry

Physics

Honors Physics

Chemistry

Honors Chemistry

AP Chemistry

Physics

Honors Physics

AP Enviro. Sci.

AP Biology

Human Anat. & Phys.

Forensics

Chemistry

Honors Chemistry

AP Chemistry

Physics

Honors Physics

AP Enviro. Sci.

AP Biology

Human Anat. & Phys.

Forensics

Note: Upper-level course entry dependent upon completion of and performance in

pre-requisite courses

Color codes: Meets HS Physical Science & UC/CSU Lab Requirements Meets HS Life Science and UC/CSU Lab Requirements Meets UC/CSU elective requirement only

SCIENCE

ELECTIVE

COURSES

Forensics • Forensics is a third year of college-

prep laboratory science for students that are college bound and/or interested in the field of forensics.

• This class will introduce students to the fields of forensic science and provide a general overview of the forensic sciences.

• Students will participate in many qualitative hands-on labs and simulations that develop the practical and theoretical aspects of forensics.

• This class will integrate previous science courses and demonstrate to the student the relevance of science education for practical use.

Human Anatomy & Physiology • Focuses on the integration

of structure and function of

the body systems needed

to maintain homeostasis.

• Integrates topics related to

health and fitness such as

nutrition, exercise,

kinesiology and medicine.

• Involves microscopy work

as well as laboratory work

involving dissections.

• Chemistry is a lab science course that emphasizes the role of chemistry in everyone’s life.

• Students will learn and use chemical principles and concepts to understand real world issues.

Meets a-g lab course requirements for

CSU and UC admission

Honors Chemistry • This course is designed for all

college-bound students who plan to major in science.

• Students will gain a general understanding of chemistry through theoretical and practical application of chemical principals.

• Laboratory investigations will be conducted to support the understanding of principles studied.

AP Chemistry • AP Chemistry is an alternative to college Chemistry 1A. • It is designed strictly for advanced or gifted students

who wish the opportunity to gain college credit for courses while in high school.

• The course applies advanced algebra to chemical principles.

• The course not only stresses the theoretical aspects of qualitative and quantitative chemistry but also emphasizes laboratory practices applying the theory.

• This course prepares students for the AP Chemistry exam.

AP Biology • This course is equivalent to an

Introductory Biology course taken at the college level and is highly recommended for students interested in life science/medical majors in college.

• Topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, comparative biology, anatomy & physiology, ecology and biotechnology.

• Prepares students for the AP Biology exam.

• Qualifies as a laboratory science for university entrance a-g requirements.

• Presumes a strong background in biology knowledge and a healthy motivation to study.

AP Environmental Science • This course qualifies as a laboratory

science for university entrance. • It is designed to be the equivalent of

a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science.

• It integrates a wide variety of science disciplines, including geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.

• It also incorporates a sociological and political perspective.

• This course prepares students for the AP Environmental Science exam.

Toxicology Lab

Desolation Wilderness Field Trip

Physics

• This class is designed to introduce

physical behavior of matter, energy,

electricity, fluids and light.

• The class uses mathematics to

predict the motion of objects in two

dimensions. Optics, energy changes,

and electronics are also studied.

• Labs and construction projects are

used to demonstrate practical

applications of the theory learned.

Honors Physics • This class is designed for students

who are considering a college

science major.

• It applies concepts learned in pre-

calculus to predict linear and non-

linear motions of objects in two

dimensions.

• Trigonometry is used to predict the

behavior of optics systems and

momentum transfers.

• Labs and construction projects are

used to demonstrate practical

applications of concepts studied.