La Habra High School
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

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The La Habra High School science department offers a coordinated, innovative curriculum designed to provide a rigorous, hands-on education. Students learn the interconnected relationships of the physical and life sciences and their applications to everyday life. The program prepares students for further education and careers.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Innovative and enthusiastic faculty
• Coordinated curriculum
• State-of-the-art DNA gel electrophoresis lab on campus
• Forensic science program connected with La Puente ROP

Course Offerings

BIOLOGY investigates the basic life processes of plants and animals and emphasizes knowledge of cells, genetics, evolution, diversity, principles of classification, ecological relationships, and animal behavior. (Honors option) (Y)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. Some AP students, as college freshmen, are permitted to undertake upper-level courses in biology or to register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite. Other students may have fulfilled a basic requirement for a laboratory science course and will be able to undertake other courses to pursue their majors. (Y)
Note: students targeting University of California or other research institutions should complete a year each of high school Biology, Chemistry and Physics in addition to pursuing an AP science course.

HONORS HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY surveys the structure and function of the body, intensively studying each of the body systems and organs through dissections. (Y)

BIOTECHNOLOGY uses learning activities to promote understanding of the function of DNA in the life and health of organisms. Recombinant DNA technology and the personal and social implications of its use are investigated. DNA extraction, restriction analysis, and recombination and transformation experiments will be conducted. (S)

MARINE SCIENCE introduces fundamental physical and biological principles which govern the marine environment and the organisms inhabiting it. (S)

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

EARTH SCIENCE introduces students to the basic principles and concepts that govern the earth through astronomy, geology (an inventory of 1000's of rock samples), oceanography, meteorology, and paleontology. (Honors option) (Y)

CHEMISTRY deals with the composition, properties, structure, and reactions of matter through laboratory experiments, class discussions, and problem-solving activities. (Honors option) (Y)

PHYSICS introduces the basic laws of nature in the physical universe, emphasizing motion, energy waves, light, electricity, magnetism, and atomic and nuclear structures with an emphasis on laboratory experiences. (Honors option) (Y)

INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE surveys crime scene investigation and evidence collection. Topics include drug, fingerprint, DNA, firearm, and hair and fiber analysis. There is additional emphasis on toxicology, serology, Internet fraud, and arson investigation. (S)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE is the study of the interconnections and interactions among many different topics and disciplines including: ecology, biology, human demographics, climatology, geology, toxicology, oceanography, chemistry, physics, urban planning, geography, and economics. (Y)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS is intended to be the equivalent of a college introductory physics course and provides a systematic introduction to the main principles of classical and modern physics: Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Knowledge of basic trigonometry is required for AP Physics B, while a strong calculus background is necessary for success in AP Physics C. (Y)

FACULTY

SUGGESTED COURSE OF STUDY: