Freedom High School

Physical Science

P-Environmental Science                                                       Course #5090
Level:                  9-12
Length:                Year (10 credits)
Prerequisite:         Algebra and Biology/The Living Earth
Graduation:          Fulfills Physical Science Lab requirement
College Prep:        Fulfills UC/CSU Physical Science lab (d) requirement
How are humans affecting the planet? What can we do to improve our chances of survival? Environmental Science investigates the cause-and-effect relationships of environmental issues both in our local community and on a global scale. Topics range from an understanding of ecosystems, dynamic interaction of air, water, atmosphere and climate, food, biodiversity, energy, waste, and population growth. The central focus is on responsible growth and use of resources for a sustainable future. This course would potentially prepare students for AP Environmental Science.

P-ROP AP Environmental Science                                       Course #5091
Level:                    10-12
Length:                 Year (10 credits)
Prerequisite:         Algebra and Biology/The Living Earth, recommend Chemistry in the Earth Systems
Graduation:           Fulfills Physical Science Lab requirement
College Prep:        Fulfills UC/CSU Physical Science lab (d) requirement
ROP AP Environmental Science is a college-level course designed for the advanced science student who is likely to pursue a career in a science-related field. The ROP program requires additional instruction and research about a wide array of careers relating to Environmental Science. 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 and/or preventing them. This course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement examination. 

P-Chemistry in the Earth Systems                                         Course #5140
Level:                  10-12
Length:                Year (10 credits)
Prerequisite:        Algebra I, The Living Earth, Biology or Sustainable Ag Biology
Graduation:         Physical Science requirement
College Prep:      Phys. Science lab (d) requirement
Chemistry in the Earth System is a year-long course designed to incorporate phenomena-based learning with real-world applications. It integrates the concepts of Chemistry and Earth science linking crosscutting concepts to make them more relevant to the students. The course is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that have been adopted by our state. The course encompasses the following major areas in a storyline format: Combustion, Heat and Energy in the Earth System, Atoms, Elements, and Molecules, Chemical Reactions, Chemistry of Climate Change, and the Dynamics of Chemical Reactions and Ocean Acidification. The laboratory portion of the course will correlate with the instructional units rounding out the course.
 
P- (AP) Chemistry                                                                    Course #5160
Level:                 11-12
Length:               Year (10 credits)
Prerequisite:       Chemistry and Algebra 2
Graduation:         Physical Science requirement
College Prep:      Phys. Science lab (d) requirement
AP Chemistry is a rigorous college-level Chemistry course designed to prepare students to take and pass the AP Chemistry exam. The class emphasizes concepts of chemistry, mathematical problem-solving skills applied to chemistry problems, critical thinking skills utilized in class and in written assignments, and hands-on experiences. Laboratory activities are a major part of this class. A mandatory parent meeting will be held in the Spring Semester.

 
P-Physics in the Universe                                                       Course #5165
Level:                 10-12
Length:               Year (10 credits)
Prerequisite:       Geometry (Algebra 2 preferred)
Graduation:         Physical Science requirement
College Prep:      Phys. Science lab (d) requirement
The sequence of this course is based on a specific storyline about renewable energy and climate change. Both physical science and earth science emphasize how discoveries in their discipline influence society, but the two differ in which aspects of society they focus upon. Physical science emphasizes society's use of technology while Earth and space science emphasize humanity's impact on natural systems and the other way around, which included California's Environmental Principles and Concepts. Students will explore phenomena such as thunderstorms & weather, geothermal vents, electricity production, earthquakes, and a teacher-chosen phenomenon dealing with the electromagnetic spectrum.
 
P-Advanced Placement (AP) Physics 1                               Course #5185
Level:                  10-12
Length:                Year (10 credits)
Prerequisite:         Physics and concurrent enrollment in Pre-Calc recommended or teacher recommendation for concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2
Graduation:          Physical Science requirement
College Prep:        Phys. Science lab (d) requirement
Advanced Placement Physics is a traditional college-level introductory course that provides a systematic understanding of the fundamental principles of physical phenomenon that governs chemical, biological, terrestrial and astronomical processes. The course provides a foundation for the intensive studies of most of the other sciences and for an understanding of many technological applications of sciences. Major areas of content include Newtonian mechanics, work and energy, wave motion, light and optics, electricity and magnetism, heat and thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Science attitudes, thinking processes, and skills in applications of science technology to social problems and personal decision-making are emphasized. The course qualifies as a laboratory science in meeting UC entrance requirements. This course is an elective, but may be used to fulfill one year of the two- year science requirement. A strong background in algebra and trigonometry, especially manipulating functions, is needed. The course prepares students to take the Advanced Placement examination. A mandatory parent meeting will be held in the Spring Semester.
 

 
Search for Extraterrestrial Life (SETL)                                  Course #5005
Level:                 11-12
Length:               Year (10 credits)
Prerequisite:       Biology/The Living Earth, Geometry
Graduation:        Elective credit
Where in the solar system would you go to find alien life? Once you’ve identified a location, how would you determine that life existed there? The goal of this course is to utilize a team-based, collaborative framework to develop a spacecraft that would be capable of traveling to a non-earth solar system body to test for the presence of life. Students will apply their knowledge of biology, earth science, engineering, design and mathematics to achieve this goal in an interactive environment. This course was developed in partnership with the Patriots Jet Team Foundation.

 
P-Forensic Science                                                                    Course #5125
Level:                  11-12
Length:                Year (10 credits)
Prerequisite:        Biology/The Living Earth and Chemistry in the Earth Systems
Graduation:          Elective credit
College Prep:       Elective (g) requirement
Forensic science is a broad survey of the scientific skills, disciplines and training used by forensic specialist in law enforcement, business and industry. The laboratory experience in both of the pre-requisites classes is necessary for a student taking Forensic Science. This is a hands-on class where students will gain experience in investigative techniques used by real forensic investigators.