Science

Department Description

Science courses are designed to produce an organized sequence of experiences to help students to develop the ability:

To distinguish between scientific evidence and personal opinion by inquiry and questioning;

To recognize the role of observation and experimentation;

To understand scientific theories;

To gather information through laboratory, field trips, and library work;

To understand, in some depth, the unifying themes of life and physical sciences.

Physics is the first course in a coherent order of science courses, taught conceptually and using the math of 8th and 9th grades and at the honors level only; chemistry is the second course, building on the knowledge of atomic structure to study the structures and properties of matter, and chemical reactions. Modern molecular-based biology is the third course in this hierarchy of science courses. In this sequence, physics concepts and topics underlie chemistry, and physics and chemistry support modern biology.

CRLS requires successful completion of three specific science courses for graduation: S102 Honors Physics, S201/S202 Chemistry, and S301/S302 Biology. If a student fails physics, chemistry or biology, he/she/they must repeat the course until successfully completed. A student may enroll in a required science course and an upper level science course at the same time with permission of instructors. S400 level courses are advanced science courses that assume students have solid foundations in physics, chemistry and biology. The course expectations reflect this advanced content.

 

Download the Graduation with Distinction Chart

Science Pathways Information

 

 



Course # Designation Title Credits  
S102 Physics Honors 10 Details
S201 Chemistry Details
S202 Chemistry Honors Details
S301 Biology Details
S302 Biology Honors Details
S403 Astronomy 10 Details
S404 Contemporary Application of Genetics 10 Details
S406 Epidemiology 10.0 Details
S407 Human Anatomy & Physiology Details
S408 Marine Biology 10 Details
S409 Forensics 10 Details
S410 Marine Science Internship 10 Details
S411 Organic Chemistry 10 Details
S415 Science and Engineering Research Internship 10 Details
S416 Exercise Physiology Details
S419 Zoology 10 Details
S421 Science and Ethics 10 Details
S422 Food Chemistry 10 Details
S423 The Integration of Arts and Science 10.0 Details
S425 Brain & Behavior Details
S435 Food, Farming, & Our Planet 10.0 Details
S501 AP Biology 20 Details
S502 AP Chemistry 20 Details
S503A AP Physics C: Mechanics 10 Details
S503B AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 10 Details
S504A AP Physics 1 10 Details
S504B AP Physics 2 10 Details
S510 AP Environmental Science 10 Details

Alternate Credit Courses for this Department
Course # Designation Title Credits  
H507 AP Psychology 10 Details
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Expectation

A CRLS student applies a variety of technologies to build and convey understanding.

Staff
Adelaide Porreca
Dean of Science


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Dates & Announcements
Class of 2026 Course Selection 2/24/25 - 3/02/25 Class of 2027 Course Selection 3/03/25 - 3/09/25 Class of 2028 Course Selection 3/10/25 - 3/16/25 Class of 2029 Course Selection 3/17/25 - 3/23/25 Class of 2026 Course Selection 2/24/25 - 3/02/25. Class of 2027 Course Selection 3/03/25 - 3/09/25. Class of 2028 Course Selection 3/10/25 - 3/16/25. Class of 2029 Course Selection 3/17/25 - 3/23/25. Class of 2029 New to CPS Course Selection Workshop 3/24/2025.