Science Courses Offered at RBV
The Technology of Biology
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Grade Level: 9-12
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RBV Graduation: Life Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment or successful completion of Integrated Math 1 or its equivalent
This one-year college preparatory, laboratory science course serves to introduce the principles of biology through a biotechnological perspective. Students will use an integrated approach to study the principles of biology while constantly referring to how these applications of biotechnology are attempting to improve life on earth. Students will learn cutting-edge biotechnology techniques commonly used in agriculture, medicine and laboratory research. Upon successful completion of the course, students will have a better understanding of current biological concepts and biotechnological applications. This is a "D" listed, UC and CSU approved Laboratory Biology Course.
Forensic Biology
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Grade Level: 9-12
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RBV Graduation: Life Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment or successful completion of Integrated Math 1 or its equivalent
In this college prep biology course, students study the principles of biology by engaging in investigations of how scientific evidence is used to solve crimes. It includes topics such as forensic anthropology, forensic botany, forensic entomology, DNA Profiling using gel electrophoresis techniques, CSI wildlife case studies, and forensic toxicology including a mock field sobriety test. The class includes students using physical evidence to solve simulated homicides.
Advanced Forensic Science
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Grade Level: 11-12
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RBV Graduation: Life Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of 1 life science and 1 physical science
For students interested in the procedures and principles of crime scene investigations. Topics include physical/chemical analysis of evidence, microscopy, chromatography,hair/fiber/glass/document/fingerprint analysis, explosives, arson, drug toxicology, entomology, anthropology, blood (serology), DNA analysis, trauma, autopsy, and cyber crime. Case study analysis and forensic journal readings will be used to enhance critical analysis of mock crime scenes.
Marine Biology
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Grade Level: 10-12
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RBV Graduation: Life Science
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UC/CSU A-G: Pending "D"
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Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment or successful completion of Integrated Math 1 or its equivalent
The marine environment encompasses 99% of the Earth's biosphere and contains an incredible diversity of microbial, algal, and animal life forms. This course will examine the biology of these organisms and the abiotic (salinity, nutrients cycles, water currents and tides, etc.) and biotic factors (competition, predation, symbiosis, food webs, etc.) that influence their distribution and abundance. Specific topics will include rocky intertidal biodiversity, estuaries, subtidal communities, coral reefs, pelagic and deep sea communities, impacts of humans on the ocean, and conservation.
Lab Biology Honors
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Grade Level: 9-12
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RBV Graduation: Life Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment or successful completion of Integrated Math 1 or its equivalent
This course requires extensive writing, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and organizational skills to succeed in this rigorous course. This challenging course is preparation for the IB Biology candidate who will test in this subject during the senior year.
AP Biology
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Grade Level: 11-12
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RBV Graduation: Life Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of Lab Biology/Lab Biology Honors and Chemistry or Chemistry Honors
Intensive study of living organisms requiring extensive reading and lab work. Prepares student for the AP exam and SL IB exam. This is the first y ear of the IB HL Science sequence .
IB Lab Biology HL2
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Grade Level: 12
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RBV Graduation: Life Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Biology
Intensive study of living organisms requiring extensive reading, essay writing and lab work. Prepares students for high level IB and AP testing. This is the second year of the IB HL Science Sequence. This is the second year of the IB HL Science sequence.
Human Anatomy & Physiology
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Grade Level: 11-12
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RBV Graduation: Life Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of two years of science
For students interested in the health science professions (EMT, Nursing, Athletic Training, etc.,) this course studies structure and function of the human body, exploring the different organ systems. This course includes a cat dissection.
Academic Earth Science
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Grade Level: 9-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D" for CSU & "G" for UC
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Prerequisite: None
This course examines the composition and changes of the earth by studying rocks & minerals, fossils & geologic time, plate tectonics, climate & weather, & space science. Special emphasis will be placed on California geology and its role in underlying the state's wealth of natural resources as well as its natural hazards. Academic Earth Science satisfies the "D" (science) requirement for the CSU A-G Requirements, but does not satisfy the "D" (science) requirement for the UC A-G Requirements. This course does satisfy the "G" (college preparatory elective) for the CSU and UC A-G Requirements.
Physical Oceanography
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Grade Level: 9-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: None
This rigorous course requires extensive writing, scientific inquiry,critical thinking, and organizational skills to succeed. It will mainly focus on the physical aspects of the ocean realm. Some topics covered include waves, currents, tides and their effects within the various marine provinces. The importance of plate tectonics in shaping beaches and coastlines, as well as a unit on marine organisms, their taxonomy, adaptations, and their roles in the various marine
food webs will also be included. The interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere and its impact on global climate change will also be discussed.
Applied Chemistry & Biotechnology
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Grade Level: 10-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of Integrated Math 1 or its equivalent and a Life Science course
This course allows students to investigate and apply chemistry and biotechnology concepts and methods to understand and address issues related to five essential human needs -- Water, Food, Health, Waste Management, and Energy --as Chemistry and Biotechnology complement each other in addressing these essential needs. In this course, students will study the methods necessary to test, clean, and protect our water resources, understand the molecular components and energy in their food, research genetically modified foods and their role in relation to health issues, environmental issues and farmer and consumer rights, investigate a human disease, evaluate common food and environmental substances that cause disease, analyze local flora for a potential drug develop to cure diseases, develop solutions to waste management problems and produce a usable fuel from a waste product produced by human activity. Throughout the course students will be required to research and develop solutions to threats in these areas of essential needs.
Astronomy
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Grade Level: 10-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of Integrated Math 1 or its equivalent and a Life Science course
Introduction to the science of astronomy. History of astronomy, properties of light, telescopes, structure and evolution of the Sun, planets, moons, and other bodies in the Solar System. Earth's celestial sphere, navigation, scaling, structure and evolution of stars, structure of the Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies, history of the Universe including astrobiology. The students will learn about the principles of physics, chemistry and math involved in astronomy as well as opportunities in space science.
Chemistry Honors
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Grade Level: 10-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of Integrated Math 1 or its equivalent and a Life Science course
This course is structured to provide students with the basic chemistry principles, problem solving strategies, and process skills, which will be used and built on in the IB/AP Biology & AP Chemistry programs. Course will provide basic knowledge in the fundamental discipline of chemistry for successful subject-related work at the university level. Topics include: Atomic Theory, Stoiciometry, Periodicity, Bonding, States of Matter, Energetics, Kinetics, Acids and Bases, Oxidation and Reduction.
AP Chemistry
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Grade Level: 11-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chemistry or Chemistry Honors or Teacher Recommendation
The AP Chemistry course is designed to prepare students for their IB/AP exams (Standard Level). The course may enable successful students to undertake, as a freshman, second year work in the chemistry sequence at their institution or to register in courses in other fields where general chemistry is a prerequisite. This course is structured around the six big ideas articulated in the AP Chemistry curriculum: Structure and Properties of Matter, Chemical Reactions and their Rates, Thermodynamics and Equilibrium. The course has a heavy laboratory focus and there is a spring semester individual assessment laboratory project requirement. AP Chemistry is open to all students that wish to take part in a rigorous and academically challenging course. Successful completion of Honors Chemistry is recommended in preparation.
Physics
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Grade Level: 10-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of Integrated Math 1 or its equivalent and Academic Earth Science or a Life Science course This course provides the basic concepts that form a foundation for future studies of science and technology. Topics include force, motion, electricity, magnetism, energy, heat, waves, sound, and light.
AP Physics 1
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Grade Level: 10-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of Integrated Math 1 or its equivalent
This course is the equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and power; and mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits.
AP Physics 2
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Grade Level: 10-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of Integrated Math 2 or its equivalent and Physics or AP Physics 1
This course is the equivalent to a second-semester college course in algebra-based physics. The course reviews AP Physics 1 concepts and adds fluid mechanics; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; optics; and atomic and nuclear physics.
AP Environmental Science
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Grade Level: 11-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "D"
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Prerequisite: Successful completion of a Life Science course and Chemistry or Physics
The primary goal of AP Environmental Science 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 and/or preventing them.
IB Design Technology
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Grade Level: 11-12
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RBV Graduation: Physical Science
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UC/CSU A-G: "G"
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Click for: Video Description
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Prerequisite:Successful completion of Integrated Math 2 or its equivalent and a Life Science course and Chemistry or Physics
IB design technology aims to develop internationally-minded people whose enhanced understanding of design and the technological world can facilitate our shared guardianship of the planet and create a better world. It focuses on analysis, design development, synthesis and evaluation. The creative tension between theory and practice is what characterizes design technology within the DP sciences subject group.