Tam High Science Courses

Honors Integrated Science 3-4 O Requires higher level thinking and problem solving skills O Covers more detailed information at a faster pace O Be prepared to complete daily assignments as well as long term projects

Honors Integrated Science 3-4 requirements B or higher in Integrated Science 1-2 O Teacher recommendation O Passing score on entrance exam Entrance Exam Dates: O Week of January 25 in Integrated Science 1-2 classes

Chemistry O What makes up the world around us? O “central science” – strong connections to all other sciences O experience fire and color O action labs and demos O Harry Potter’s floo powder….

Chemistry O strongly recommended if you are thinking about a college major in science, engineering or medicine O one of the courses approved for concurrent enrollment with Integrated Science 3-4 O requires basic algebra O some HW every night

Chemistry O fulfills pre/corequisite for AP Environmental Science O fulfills pre/corequisite for AP Biology O recommended prerequisite for Physics

Requirements  C- or better in IS 3 and 4  C- or better in Algebra 1 and 2 (or equivalent)  Advanced Algebra concurrently (or before)  A- or better in IS 3 and 4 (B- if Honors)  A- or better in last math class (B- if Honors)  Entrance test  Teacher recommendation  Advanced Algebra concurrently (or before) ChemistryHonors Chemistry

Honors Chemistry Important Dates and Times  Informational Meeting:  Lunch,  Room 316 January 14 or January 15  Entrance Test: Room 316 Monday, 1/25 after school or Wed, 1/27 before school

PHYSIOLOGY 1-2 O Anatomy = the study of the structures of the human body O Physiology = the study of how these structures function O So, we will learn how the body is built and how it works O Also… O Things that may go wrong (diseases, etc) & associated cures O possible career paths O current advances, issues, etc.

Prerequisites and Credits Successful completion of Integrated Science 1-4 with at least a C UC/CSU "d" laboratory science credit one of the courses approved for concurrent enrollment with Integrated Science 3-4

Honors Physiology Course Overview: O Similar content but more depth, differentiated assessments, learning extensions (case studies, research journal analyses, term projects), out of class community experience and/or internships Prerequisites: O “A-“ or above in IS 1- 2 or 3– 4 (or B- in Honors 3-4) O Mandatory informational meeting at lunch O Teacher recommendation form completed by your current science teacher Meetings - January 13 or January 15 during lunch in room 64

UC/CSU “D" laboratory science credit! UC/CSU “D" laboratory science credit! Topics Include: -Ecology -Human Population Growth -Climate Change -Air, Water and Land Pollution and Management -Sustainable Development Topics Include: -Ecology -Human Population Growth -Climate Change -Air, Water and Land Pollution and Management -Sustainable Development Prerequisites: Integrated Science 1-4 Prerequisites: Integrated Science 1-4

Marine Biology What Do We Study? Aquariums Marine Life Marine Environments Marine Technology Physical Oceanography Human Impact Real Marine Science Research! What is Marine Science About? Marine Life Marine Chemistry Marine Physics Marine Geology Marine Ecology Dive Into The Ocean Realm! LABS FIELD TRIPS Technology!

Marine Biology Project Based Course Projects Include: Building a functional ROV(remote operated underwater vehicle) Setting Up Saltwater Aquariums Monitoring The Salt Marsh Great Pacific Garbage Gyre Many More! Field Trips: Research Boat Trip Bay Tide Pools Monterey Bay Aquarium The Bay Model

Marine Biology UC/CSU approved Course UC “d” Lab Approved Course Pre-requisite: Completion of Integrated Science 1-4 How Can I get More Information? See Ms. Tucker in Room 311 or Check out

PHYSICS What is physics? Physics is a UC/CSU approved lab science class that is the foundation of all sciences. It is an exciting and challenging class that seeks to understand the nature of … nature. Exciting demonstrations, weekly labs, and relevant projects all combine to provide a powerful understanding of the material. What topics are covered? Topics explored include: motion, Newton’s laws, gravity, satellites, momentum, energy, sound, light, electricity, nuclear radiation, and the latest ideas in cosmology. Who takes physics? Over half the students who go to Tamalpais High School take physics. Some take it because it has a reputation for being interesting, fun, and relevant. Others take it because they are considering a career in science, engineering, or medicine. Everyone knows that it is an upper-level science course that looks great on your transcript. What are the prerequisites? Completion of Integrated Science is required, as well as completion of Intermediate Algebra or higher. “All knowledge begins in wonder.” – Aristotle “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein

HONORS PHYSICS How is honors physics different from from physics? Honors physics covers all the topics covered in physics, but does so at a deeper and more rigorous level. It has a faster pace. Additional topics are covered as well. It is assumed that the student has mastered both algebra and trigonometry. Most students will be enrolled in calculus (although this is not required). What are the prerequisites? Completion of Integrated Science is required, as well as passing score on a math readiness exam. What is the advantage of taking honors physics? A transcript showing that you have taken honors physics indicates that you are highly competent in math and physical science. Completion of honors physics will also give you a solid foundation for college-level, engineering physics. “All knowledge begins in wonder.” – Aristotle “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein

Honors Physics meeting times and test dates Information Meetings - Tuesday, January 12 & Thursday January 14 during lunch in Mr. Lapp’s room (Palmer 65) Honors Entrance Test - Monday, January 25 before and after school in Palmer 65

Labs, labs, labs! Design your OWN experiments Bioinformatics – Cancer Genes Detect GMOs in food Control evolution of plants DNA Barcoding Make Ricotta Cheese (enyzmes ) Earn COLLEGE Credit for passing the AP Exam National Pass Rate 63%, at Tam it is 90%! Earn UC “D” lab science credit

AP Biology – an epic adventure TOPICS Evolution Information Energy Interactions How do we learn in this class? Interesting videos Labs and demos Group work and activities Fun songs!

How do I find out more and sign up? Prerequisites: B- or better in IS 1-4 AND B- or better in Chemistry OR Physiology Or Ms. Wuerth’s permission (not everyone tests well, if you love biology and are willing to take on the challenge, see Ms. Wuerth!) See Ms. Wuerth in Keyser 310 Wed. Jan 20 th or Fri. Jan 22 nd at lunch Check out the class website at: wuerthapbiology.weebly.com Ms Wuerth or

AP Chemistry O second year Chemistry course rigorous college-level material - equivalent to a first-year college chemistry class advanced, quantitative labs strong emphasis on problem-solving

AP Chemistry Requirements:  B- or better in Chemistry/ Honors Chemistry  B- or better in Advanced Algebra/Honors Advanced Algebra  Chemistry teacher recommendation  Information meetings: January 19 and 21 during lunch in Room 66 Contact Dr. Hart at

AP Environmental Science What is APES about?  understand the interrelationships of the natural world  identify and analyze environmental problems  examine solutions for resolving and/or preventing environmental problems What topics do we study?  human populations and sustainability  climate change and atmospheric issues  water and toxicity  ecology and evolution  sustaining biodiversity  energy resources

AP Environmental Science Prerequisites?  Successful completion of IS 1- 4 with a 2.75 or higher  Completion or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry  Successful completion of Advanced Algebra is strongly recommended How can I get more information?  Information meetings in Palmer 63, Jan 19 & 21 during lunch  Mr. Ginsburg at

Biomedical Sciences O Biomedical Sciences is geared towards those interested in pursuing post-secondary education in the areas of pre-med, pre-vet, virology, microbiology, and biotechnology O Introduction to hands on lab techniques used in research O Technical reading and writing skills O Pre-reqs: Integrated Science 1-4 (or equivalent) with passing grades, successful completion of Chemistry (or H Chem) 1-2, or be concurrently enrolled in either Chemistry course. O UC/CSU "d" laboratory science credit approved pending resubmission in March

Lab Tech O Make solutions O Set up labs O Be a guinea pig for new labs! O Enhance your transcript O Earn a grade

Information Meetings for Honors LUNCHTIME (beginning of lunch) Tuesday, January 12: O Honors Physics (Room 65) Wednesday, January 13: O Honors Physiology

Information Meetings for Honors LUNCHTIME (beginning of lunch) Thursday, January 14: O Honors Chemistry (Room 316) O Honors Physics (Room 65) Friday, January 15: O Honors Physiology (Room 64) O Honors Chemistry (Room 316)

Honors Entrance Tests (signup required) Monday January 25 Wednesday January 27 Before School Honors Physics Rm 65 Honors Chemistry Rm 316 After School Honors Chemistry Honors Physics Rm 316 Rm 65

Information Meetings for AP LUNCHTIME (beginning of lunch) Tuesday, January 19: O AP Environmental Science (Room 63) O AP Chemistry (Room 66) Wednesday, January 20: O AP Biology (Room 310)

Information Meetings for AP LUNCHTIME (beginning of lunch) Thursday, January 21: O AP Chemistry (Room 66) O AP Environmental Science (Room 63) Friday, January 22: O AP Biology (Room 310)