Sample Recommended College Bound Course Pattern for the Competitive Student
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
English 9 Honors
This intensive college preparatory course covers literature, grammar and usage, sentence and paragraph structure, essay writing, and vocabulary. Literature selections are coordinated with World History 1 Honors. (UC “B” approved)
English 10 Honors
This intensive college preparatory course covers literature, paragraph and essay writing, the introduction of the research paper, grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary. Literature selections are coordinated with AP European History. Summer assignment is required. (UC “B” approved)
AP English Language/Composition 11
(IB Eng. HL1) This is the 1st year of the IB English sequence.
This intensive honors level college preparatory course covers a survey of American literature, analytical writing, usage, vocabulary, oral language skills in preparation for IB assessment, and intensive work on the expository prose style in preparation for AP Language, PSAT and SAT exams. Summer assignment is required. (UC “B” approved)
IB English Literature 12 HL2
(This is the 2nd year of the IB English sequence)
This intensive honors level college preparatory course covers analytical writing, poetry study and oral language skills in preparation for the IB and AP literature exams. Summer assignment is required. (UC “B” approved)
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
World History 1 Honors
This intensive college preparatory study of non-European world history, geography and culture has an emphasis on essay writing and critical thinking. Content is coordinated with literature taught in English 9 Honors. Summer reading assignment required. (UC “A” approved)
AP World History
This intensive honors level course will develop a greater understanding of the evaluation of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. While tracing the relationship of change and continuity across world history, the focus of much of the course will be on trade, systems of international exchange, war, and diplomacy. Summer Assignment Required (UC “A” approved for 9th grade) Can be taken for Elective credit for 10-12.
AP European History
Student must have a “B” or better in previous Social Studies course or the recommendation of their previous Social Studies teacher.
This intensive college preparatory study of European history from the Renaissance to the present emphasizes writing, critical thinking, analysis of original-source documents and preparation for the AP exam. Course content is coordinated with literature in English 10 Honors. Summer assignment is required. (UC “A” approved)
AP U.S. History
(IB His HL 1) This is the 1st year of the IB History Sequence. Student must have a “B” or better in previous Social Studies course or the recommendation of their previous Social Studies teacher.
This intensive college preparatory survey of U.S. history from colonial times to the present emphasizes writing, critical thinking skills, analysis of original documents, and preparation for the AP exam. Summer assignment is required. (UC “A” approved)
IB History of Americas HL2
This is the 2nd year of the IB History Sequence. Prerequisite: Student must have a “B” or better in previous Social Studies course or the recommendation of their previous Social Studies teacher.
This intensive college preparatory study of 20th century World histo¬ry/diplomacy/economics and Latin American history prepares students for the IB exam. Six hours of community participation is required each semester. An individual research project and a summer assignment are required.
MATH DEPARTMENT
Geometry/Trigonometry Honors (9-10)
Highly Recommended: “B” or better in Algebra I or (teacher recommendation or qualifying via Challenge exam).
This geometry-based course moves at a very rapid pace. A strong background in algebra is required to be successful. It covers the topics in a geometry class and also includes six weeks of trigonometry. (UC “C” approved)
Algebra 2 Honors (10-11)
Highly Recommended: “B” or better in Geo/Trig Honors or teacher recommendation.
Algebra 2 Honors covers the same material as the Algebra 2 course description with more depth and at a faster pace. (UC “C” approved)
IB Math Studies SL (11-12)
Highly Recommended: “C” in Algebra 2, Algebra 2 Honors or teacher recommendation.
This course covers a wide range of topics including sequences and series, sets and logic, geometry, trigonometry, probability and statistics. This is a college prep course that prepares students for a standard level IB Exam. (UC “C” approved)
Math Analysis Honors (11-12)
“B” or better in Algebra 2 Honors and Geo/Trig Honors or teacher recommendation.
This is a pre-calculus course that covers topics in functions, trigonometry, vectors and matrices, polar coordinates, conic sections, probability and statistics. It will prepare students for entry into a calculus course and may prepare students for the standard level IB Math Methods exam. (UC “C” approved)
AP Calculus A/B (11-12)
Highly Recommended: “B” or better in Math Analysis or teacher recommendation.
This course is equivalent to the first semester of calculus in college. It prepares students for the standard level IB Mathematics Exam and the AP Calculus AB exam. (UC “C” approved)
AP Calculus B/C (11-12)
Highly Recommended: “B” or better in Math Analysis or teacher recommendation.
This course is equivalent two semesters of calculus in college. It prepares students for the standard level or higher level IB Mathematics Exam and the AP Calculus BC exam. (UC “C” approved)
AP Statistics (11-12)
Highly Recommended: “B” in Algebra 2 or teacher recommendation.
This is a college preparatory course covering: tabular and graphical representation of data, counting principles, permutations, sampling distributions and bi-variate data. Applications from business, economics and social sciences are explored. This course prepares students to take the AP Exam. (UC “C” approved)
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Lab Biology 1 Honors (9-10)
Prerequisite: Fulfill honors criteria on page 7.
This course is for the exceptional 9th or 10th grade student who is motivated and focused on academics. It requires extensive writing, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and organizational skills to succeed in this rigorous course. This challenging course is preparation for the IB Biology candidate who will test in this subject during the senior year. (UC “D” approved)
AP Biology 2 (11-12)
This is year one of the IB HL Science sequence
Prerequisite: Lab Bio 1 H, Chemistry 1.
Intensive study of living organisms requiring extensive reading and lab work. Prepares student for the AP exam and SL IB exam. (UC “D” approved)
IB Lab Biology 2 HL2 (11-12)
This is the second year of the IB HL Science Sequence
Prerequisite: Lab Biology I H, Chemistry I.
Intensive study of living organisms requiring extensive reading, essay writing and lab work. Prepares students for high level IB and AP testing. (UC “D” approved)
AP Environmental Science (11 – 12)
Prerequisite: C or better in Lab Biology1 and Chemistry.
The primary goal of AP Environmental Science 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. (UC “D” approved)
Chemistry 1 Honors (10-12)
Prerequisite: A letter grade of “B” or better in Lab Biology 1 (H) and Algebra 1 or teacher recommendation.
This course is structured to provide students with the basic chemistry principles, problem solving strategies, and process skills which will be used and built on in the IB/AP Biology & Chemistry programs. Course will provide the basic knowledge in the fundamental discipline of chemistry for successful subject-related work at the university level. Topics include: Atomic Theory, Stoiciometry, Periodicity, Bonding, States of Matter, Energetics, Kinetics, Acids and Bases, Oxidation and Reduction. (UC “D” approved)
AP Chemistry 2 (11-12)
Prerequisite: B or better in Chemistry 1, Chem. 1 H or teacher recommendation
This course is equivalent to freshman college chemistry. It is an advanced Chemistry course that prepares students for IB/AP exams (Standard Level). Designed for Science majors. (UC “D” approved)
Physics 1 Honors (10-12)
Prerequisite: C or better in Lab Biology 1 Honors; Algebra B Geo/Trig or concurrent.
This course prepares students for advanced topics of AP Physics B. It provides a conceptual framework of both classical and contemporary physics with related problem lab investigation. It is recommended to prepare for the IB or AP programs in their junior or senior year. (UC “D” approved)
AP Physics B (11-12)
Prerequisites: Algebra 2 or Geometry/Trig.
This course, equivalent to a freshman college physics class, covers force, motion, energy, heat, sound, light & electricity & prepares students for IB & AP exams (Standard Level). (UC “D” approved)
INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
Level 4 AP Language (11-12) (Spanish 4, German 4, French 4)
Prerequisite: "C" or better in Level 3 or teacher recommendation.
This college preparatory honors course refines students’ speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students write compositions, review grammatical structures, and expand vocabulary through literature study. They read and analyze works of literature and explore cultural topics in preparation for the IB and/or AP examinations. (UC “E” approved)
AP Spanish Literature 5 (10-12)
Prerequisite: Highly recommended: “C” or better in IB/AP Spanish 4 or teacher approval.
This course is a survey of selected authors and works from the literature of Spain and Latin America, and centers on the understanding and analysis of literary texts. Students who perform satisfactorily on the AP Spanish Literature Exam can receive credit for the comparable third-year college level course. (UC “E” approved)
AP French Literature 5 (10-12)
Prerequisite: Highly recommended: “C” or better in AP French 4 or teacher approval.
This course is a survey of selected authors and works from the literature of France, and centers on the understanding and analysis of literary texts. Students who perform satisfactorily on the AP French Literature Exam can receive credit for the comparable third-year college level course. (UC “E” approved)
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT
IB Visual Arts HL2 (11-12)
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation.
This advanced art course prepares students for the International Baccalaureate Art/Design higher level requirement for students enrolled for two years. It also meets the IB standard level requirements and prepares students for the Advanced Placement test. (UC “F” approved)
IB Film (11-12)
Prerequisite: teacher approval
This is a year long elective course that focuses on three areas of study: Textual Analysis, Film Theory and History, and Creative Process – techniques and organization of production. It teaches the various aspects of moviemaking with an emphasis on the artistic and/or social messages that are conveyed through the use of cinematic devices. The course introduces the various cultural traditions of filmmaking, especially those shared with art and literature. In addition to creating short film related projects, comprehensive reading and writing is also required throughout this course. Course prepares students for the IB SL exam. (UC “F” approved)
IB Theatre Arts HL1 (11-12) (Audition)
This IB course is the first year of a two-year sequence and is a prerequisite in obtaining testing
status of standard or higher level testing for IB Theatre Arts. (UC “F” approved)
IB Theatre Arts HL2 (12) (Audition)
Prerequisite: Drama 3
This course is based on the Theatre Arts level six program developed by International Baccalaur¬eate. Students will have the option to take an IB external exam at the standard or higher level. (UC “F” approved)
IB Music SL (11-12)
Prerequisite – 2 years ensemble experience (intermediate level or above) and/or 1-2 years of private instruction.
IB Music is a one-year course in accordance with the Standard Level component (150 hours, 10 credits). The course will include study in both music theory/analysis and performance or composition. IB Music will develop a solid base in musical vocabulary, evaluation and performance. This course has been developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. (UC “F” approved)
ELECTIVES
IB Psychology (11-12)
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This one-year college prep. course surveys theory, experimentation, research and preparation for the IB standard level or AP exams. Summer assignment and research-based experiment project are required (UC “G” approved)
IB Theory of Knowledge (12)
Prerequisite: Teacher approval.
T.O.K. is a course that examines the origins and validity of various forms of knowledge. The process of the course is a critical reflection on what the student claims to know. The focus of the class is on inquiry. The goals are to gain an understanding of what it means to know something as a scientist, an artist or historian, etc. and how the forms of knowledge relate to one another. This course is required for Full IB Diploma. (UC “G” approved)
Heather Golly
Honors Coordinator
(760) 727-7284 ext. 72206
hgolly@vusd.k12.ca.us
Rancho Buena Vista Highschool
1601 Longhorn Drive
Vista, CA 92081