Geoscience is a two-trimester laboratory based college preparatory course, which will give students a
strong background in the earth and space sciences. This course integrates High School Earth and Space
Science (ESS), Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science (ETS) and some Physical Science (PS)
Performance Expectations (PE) from the California Science Framework based on the Next Generation
Science Standards (NGSS). The fundamental concepts necessary to understand Geoscience have been
selected from the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) of NGSS. These core ideas form the basic Geoscience
content for investigating complex real world ideas and problems. Students employ two general tools in
their investigation activities: Cross Cutting Concepts (CCCs), and Science and Engineering Practices
(SEPs). The course includes challenging activities, laboratory exercises, field experiences, and class
projects in a collaborative work environment. Students enrolled in this class will learn by completing
labs and laboratory reports, exams, and oral presentations. This course focuses on the dynamic
interrelationships between the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and the earth-universe
system. Geoscience is taught from an interdisciplinary perspective and each topic in the class will
illustrate connections between the different disciplines in science, economics, and other global issues.
This course meets the UC “D” requirement for Laboratory Science.