TPHS Choices Night
Welcome prospective TPHS
science students
What makes TPHS science great!
• A wide variety of courses with experience
instructors (avg. experience level of science
staff is more than a decade..)
• Supportive staff for extra help, science
tutoring center, science related extracurricular activities such as science fair,
academic team, student science journals,
science related clubs
Standards driven curriculum
• The curriculum is tied to the district and state
standards. Students excel on California
standards testing in science subject areas.
• The collaborative and collegial curriculum
development means teachers work in
conjunction to plan curriculum, create
relevant assessments, plan hands on lab
activities, and use formative assessments to
guide instruction.
TPHS Science Student Preparation
• TPHS Students are well prepared for college
level science, including work at CSU, UC, Ivy
League, and private colleges.
• TPHS students participate in internships,
scholarship programs, and science
competitions (Intel, Siemens, etc.)
• TPHS students participate in realistic and
relevant lab activities such as field work and
service learning projects.
Course Offerings
College Prep Courses
AP Level Courses
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
Also elective courses
• Marine Biology
• Earth & Space Science
• Research methods
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AP Physics B
AP Physics C
AP Chemistry
AP Biology
AP Environmental
Science
Need more information
• Talk with students about their TPHS experiences!
• Speak with teachers! Individual core content
teachers would be happy to answer content and
curriculum questions…
• TPHS science department webpage has links to
course profiles, science pathways, and UC/CSU
guidelines
• http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/tpscience/in
dex.htm
SCIENCE PATHWAYS AT TORREY PINES: SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS
http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/tpscience/Science%20Pathways%202012.pdf
This chart is intended to be used as a guide to assist students with planning their
academic future. These recommendations are based on CA state sequencing and staff
expertise. The pathways chart represents suggested sequences to present
opportunities for success for the student profiles listed. Other possibilities do exist. It is
our goal to help students construct their knowledge sequentially at a course pace that
is appropriate for the intended ability and skill level. Selecting courses that are
appropriate for a student’s current ability and skills is a crucial step for student success.
Please check the detailed course descriptions online at
http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/tpscience/Courses.htm .
NoteAP (Advanced Placement) courses are college level courses designed for
accelerated students to gain exposure to the rigor and pace of a collegiate science
curriculum (i.e they are equivalent in workload, rigor, breadth, and pace of an
equivalent 4 year university course). For success at the AP level in high school,
students should have the required science skills, prior coursework, a history of
academic success, and appropriate math skills for the course they are enrolling in.
Path & Profile of a typical
successful student
FRESHMAN
I. Accelerated / Advanced
Science Sequence
Δ
SOPHOMORE
Chemistry
Biology
Exceeds UC/CSU requirements.
AP Chem single block
Δ For students with excellent
understanding and passion for science,
and highest marks in math and science.
Physics (with appropriate
math course)
JUNIOR
Physics
AP Physics B
AP Chemistry (single block)
AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
II. College-prep Sequence
Chemistry
Δ Meets UC/CSU admission
Earth & Space Science
Biology
requirements. Path for most students
preparing for 4-yr university entrance.
Physics
Δ 2 years required/ 3years recommended
AP Chem. (single block)
Δ For students with average to high
SENIOR
Physics
AP Physics B
AP Physics C
AP Chemistry (single block )
AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
Research Methods (elective)
Physics
AP Physics B
AP Chemistry (single block )
AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
Marine biology (elective)
Research methods (elective)
marks in math and science
III. Community College / General
High School Science
Meets TPHS graduation requirements for
science- (20 credits/ 2 years)
Δ Life (10 credits/ 1 year)
Δ Physical (10 credits/ 1 year)
Δ strengthens science foundation for
other science courses
Δ May or may not meet UC/CSU lab
science requirements.
For students with average to below average
marks in math and science.
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Earth & Space
Science
Marine Biology
No Science
(Students need two years
of science -one year of life
and one year of physical
science- to graduate)
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Earth & Space
Science
Marine Biology
Biology
Earth/Space is physical
science credit, while
biology and marine
biology earn life science
credit.

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Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Marine Biology
Chemistry and Physics are
both physical science
credit courses.
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Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Marine Biology