Science Department

2025/2026 BGHS Junior and Senior Science Courses

All junior and senior science courses at BGHS are lab-based and approved by the University of California and California State University systems. These courses provide students a wide variety of academic choices that serve to meet graduation requirements, prepare for college, and develop career readiness skills.

Traditional Courses (These courses explore specific topic areas beyond what was introduced in Coordinated Science 1-4).

Biology: Students in this course study the functions of the cell, genetics, ecology, evolution, and human physiology.
Chemistry: Students in this course study the composition and interactions of matter at the atomic and molecular level.
Geology: Students in this course study the physical structure and function of planet Earth and other objects in the universe.
Physics: Students in this course study the interactions of matter, energy, and force.

Honors and Specialty Courses (These courses have a narrower focus and explore the subject in more depth.)

Computer Science Principles (Robotics): Students in this course study mechanical systems, energy transfer, and computer control to solve real world engineering problems.
Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology: Students in this course study the structures and functions of the organ systems of the human body. Dissections are an integral part of this course.

Advanced Placement Courses (These courses are introductory college-level classes where students can earn college credit by scoring 3 or higher on an AP exam. Additionally, Honors and AP courses earn an extra GPA point.)

AP Biology: Students explore evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions through inquiry-based investigations.
AP Chemistry: Students explore atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium through inquiry-based investigations.
AP Computer Science Principles: Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs through inquiry-based investigations.
AP Environmental Science: Students explore topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography and explore their interrelationships with inquiry-based investigations.
AP Physics 1: Students explore algebra-based kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion through inquiry-based investigations.