Science
The Science Department at Desert Oasis High School is dedicated to fostering scientific literacy, critical thinking, and a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. Designed to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded education, our diverse curriculum ensures that every student, whether fulfilling core graduation requirements or pursuing advanced STEM pathways, finds a rigorous and engaging course of study tailored to their interests and career goals.
From foundational principles to advanced college-level research, our coursework emphasizes hands-on laboratory exploration, data-driven inquiry, and real-world problem-solving. Our extensive course offerings are structured into distinct pathways to support student success at every level.
Core Courses
- Biology
- Biology Honors
- Chemistry
- Chemistry Honors
- Geoscience
- Geoscience Honors
- Physics
- Physics Honors
- Principles of Anatomy & Physiology Honors
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics I
- AP Physics II
- AP Environmental Science
Biology
This one-year course is designed to integrate science and engineering practices, crosscutting
concepts, and core ideas related to biology. The topics covered in Biology include Structures and
Function, Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems, Interdependent Relationships in
Ecosystems, Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Natural Selection and Evolution, and Engineering
Design. Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to
this course. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including
appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of
technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may
count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: None
Biology Honors
This one-year course is designed to integrate science and engineering practices, crosscutting
concepts, and core ideas related to biology. This course is designated as honors level by the
accelerated instructional pacing and depth of content. The topics covered in Biology Honors
include Structures and Function, Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems, Interdependent
Relationships in Ecosystems, Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Natural Selection and Evolution, and
Engineering Design. Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are
essential to this course. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness
including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate
use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills one of the science credits
required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This
course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard
Diploma.
Course Fee: None
Chemistry
This one-year course is a survey of the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. This course is
designated as honors level by the accelerated pacing and depth of content. Topics focus on the
interrelationships of human body systems, using Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting
Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas of the science standards. Demonstrations and lab
experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to this course. Prerequisites are
successful completion* of Biology/Biology Honors and Chemistry/Chemistry Honors. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: $20 Lab Fee
Chemistry Honors
This one-year course is designed to integrate science and engineering practices, crosscutting
concepts, and core ideas related to chemistry. This course is designated as honors level by the
accelerated instructional pacing and depth of content. The topics covered in Chemistry Honors
include Structure and Properties of Matter, Chemical Reactions, and Engineering Design.
Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are mandatory for this
course. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: None
Geoscience
This one-year course is designed to integrate science and engineering practices, crosscutting
concepts, and core ideas related to Earth and space science. The topics covered in Geoscience
include Space Systems, History of Earth, Earth’s Systems, Weather and Climate, Human Sustainability, and Engineering Design. Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to this course. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: None
Geoscience Honors
This one-year course is designed to integrate science and engineering practices, crosscutting
concepts, and core ideas related to Earth and space science. This course is designated as honors level by the accelerated instructional pacing and depth of content. The topics covered in Geoscience
Honors include Space Systems, History of Earth, Earth’s Systems, Weather and Climate, Human Sustainability, and Engineering Design. Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to this course. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: None
Physics
This one-year course is designed to integrate scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting
concepts, and core ideas related to physics. The topics covered in Physics include Forces and
Interactions; Energy; Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation; and Engineering Design.
Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are mandatory for this
course. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: None
Physics Honors
This one-year course is designed to integrate scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting
concepts, and core ideas related to physics. This course is designated as honors level by the
accelerated instructional pacing and depth of content. The topics covered in Physics Honors include
Forces and Interactions; Energy; Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation; and Engineering Design.
Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are mandatory for this
course. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for
the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: None
Principles of Anatomy & Physiology Honors
This one-year course is a survey of the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. This course is
designated as honors level by the accelerated pacing and depth of content. Topics focus on the
interrelationships of human body systems, using Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting
Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas of the science standards. Demonstrations and lab
experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to this course. Prerequisites are
successful completion* of Biology/Biology Honors and Chemistry/Chemistry Honors. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: $20 Lab Fee
AP Biology
This one-year course is designed with an emphasis on meeting the requirements of the College
Board Advanced Placement AP Biology examination. This college-level curriculum provides students
with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically
with the rapidly changing science of biology. This course fulfills one credit of the Nevada high
school graduation requirement for science and qualifies as a laboratory science for college
entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements
for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: $20 Lab Fee
AP Chemistry
AP Physics I
This one-year course is a survey of the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. This course is
designated as honors level by the accelerated pacing and depth of content. Topics focus on the
interrelationships of human body systems, using Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting
Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas of the science standards. Demonstrations and lab
experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to this course. Prerequisites are
successful completion* of Biology/Biology Honors and Chemistry/Chemistry Honors. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: $20 Lab Fee
AP Physics II
AP Environmental Science
This one-year course is a survey of the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. This course is
designated as honors level by the accelerated pacing and depth of content. Topics focus on the
interrelationships of human body systems, using Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting
Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas of the science standards. Demonstrations and lab
experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to this course. Prerequisites are
successful completion* of Biology/Biology Honors and Chemistry/Chemistry Honors. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: $20 Lab Fee
Elective Courses
- Extended Science Lab - AP Science Study Lab
- Principles of Genetics Honors
- Principles of Epidemiology Honors
- Principles of Marine Science
- Principles of Physiology Application Honors
- Principles of Zoology Honors
Extended Science Lab - AP Science Study Lab
Principles of Genetics Honors
Principles of Epidemiology Honors
This one-year course is designed for students interested in the biomedical field of science. This course is designated as honors level by the accelerated instructional pacing and depth of content.
Epidemiology involves the study of patterns of occurrence of disease and other phenomena in
human populations to determine their cause and create solutions for prevention and control. This
course provides cross-curricular links among sciences, social studies, English, mathematics, and
technology. Topics covered in this course include diseases, occupational hazards, accidents,
historical perspectives, environmental problems and social determinants of health and illness. In
addition, emergent issues such as ethics, biomedical engineering, research, and bioterrorism is
explored. Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to
this course. This course fulfills one of the elective credits required for high school graduation.
Course Fee: $20 Lab Fee
Principles of Marine Science
This one-year course is a survey of the physical and biological marine environment. Topics covered
include the history of ocean exploration, properties of seawater, interactions between atmospheric
and oceanic systems, a survey of oceanic life forms, and human interactions with the marine
environment. Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are
essential to this course. This course fulfills one of the elective credits required for high school
graduation.
Course Fee: $20 Lab Fee
Principles of Physiology Application Honors
This one-year course is a survey of the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. This course is
designated as honors level by the accelerated pacing and depth of content. Topics focus on the
interrelationships of human body systems, using Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting
Concepts and Disciplinary Core Ideas of the science standards. Demonstrations and lab
experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to this course. Prerequisites are
successful completion* of Biology/Biology Honors and Chemistry/Chemistry Honors. This course fulfills one of the science credits required for high school graduation and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance. This course may count towards the College and Career Ready Flex Credit requirements for the Standard Diploma.
Course Fee: $20 Lab Fee
Principles of Zoology Honors
This one-year course is designed for students desiring an in-depth study of zoology. This course is
designated as honors level by the accelerated instructional pacing and depth of content. General
areas of study include levels of organization, evolutionary theory, ecological adaptations, and the
anatomical and physiological characteristics of all major animal phyla. Emphasis will be placed on
diversity within the animal kingdom as it relates to physiological adaptations and environmental
pressures. This course serves to familiarize students with educational and occupational opportunities in the field of zoology. Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques are essential to this course. This course fulfills one of the elective credits required for high school graduation.
Course Fee: $20 Lab Fee