Course Descriptions
Following is a brief description of the courses offered at Cobalt Institute of Math & Science. For a more detailed breakdown of course choices, requirements, course lengths and UC/CSU requirements, click on the link below.
English Language Arts
The English Language Arts curriculum, aligned with the California English Common Core Standards, focuses on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The courses are sequenced so that the knowledge and skills acquired in each course prepare students for the knowledge and skills to be learned in each sequential course. Students must earn 40 units of English Language Arts credit (English 9, English I0, English 11, and English 12) for graduation.
Mathematics
The mathematics curriculum is aligned with the California Mathematics Common Core Standards. The courses are sequenced so that the knowledge and skills acquired in each course prepare students for the knowledge and skills to be learned in each sequential course. Students must earn 30 units of mathematics credit for graduation.
PLTW (Project Lead the Way) ~ Pathway Elective Wheel
Project Lead The Way provides a comprehensive approach to STEM Education. Through activity-, project-, and problem-based curriculum, PLTW gives students in middle school through high school a chance to apply what they know, identify problems, find unique solutions, and lead their own learning. They use industry-leading technology to solve problems while gaining skills in communication, collaboration, critical-thinking, and creativity.
Biomedical Science (PLTW)
The rigorous and relevant course of PLTW Biomedical Science sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future. Each course in the Biomedical Science sequence builds on the skills and knowledge students gain in the preceding courses. Schools offer the three PLTW Biomedical Science foundation courses within a period of three academic years from the start of implementation and may also offer the capstone course.
Engineering (PLTW)
In PLTW Engineering, students engage in open-ended problem solving, learn and apply the engineering design process, and use the same industry-leading technology and software as are used in the world’s top companies. Students are immersed in design as they investigate topics such as sustainability, mechatronics, forces, structures, aerodynamics, digital electronics and circuit design, manufacturing, and the environment, which gives them an opportunity to learn about different engineering disciplines before beginning post-secondary education or careers. Schools offer a minimum of three courses by the end of the third year of implementation: Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and any specialization course or the capstone course.
Science
The science curriculum is aligned with the California Science Common Core Standards. The courses are sequenced so that the knowledge and skills acquired in each course prepare students for the knowledge and skills to be learned in each sequential course. Students must earn 20 units of science credit for graduation (10 units of physical science and 10 units of life science).
Social Science
The social sciences curriculum is aligned with the California Social Science Common Core Standards. Students must earn 30 units of social science credit for graduation (10 units of World History, 10 units of Unites States History, 5 units of American Government and 5 units of Economics).
Foreign Language
The foreign language program is comprised of Spanish 1-4 classes. These foreign language classes stress continued progressive acquisition of effective communication in both written and spoken language and an understanding of the practices and products of the culture being studied. The courses are sequenced so that the knowledge and skills acquired in each course prepare students for the knowledge and skills to be learned in each sequential course. Students may earn 10 units to fulfill the one year fine arts requirement to graduate or up to 40 units to fulfill the two year (3+ years recommended) of the same language requirement of most California universities.
Visual and Performing Arts
Courses in the Visual and Performing Arts follow the Framework for California Public Schools adopted in January 2001. All courses build on skills and knowledge acquired in a sequential manner from beginning to advanced. One year of fine arts (10 units) can be used for graduation requirements or one year of an A thru G certified class for entrance to UC or Cal State.
Physical Education
Student must earn a total of 20 units of physical education credit for graduation. All students must earn 10 units in Beginning PE. Athletic classes are for 10th-12th graders only who meet the prerequisite. 9th graders may take an athletic class only if they remain in their beginning PE class and have the letter of approval signed by their parents stating that the athletic class is to take the place of their elective class and if the students meet the prerequisite.
Other Electives
As part of the graduation requirement, students must earn a total of 70 electives units. The following courses are considered electives and, therefore, will be applied toward the electives unit requirement.
Mathematics
The mathematics curriculum is aligned with the California Mathematics Common Core Standards. The courses are sequenced so that the knowledge and skills acquired in each course prepare students for the knowledge and skills to be learned in each sequential course. Students must earn 30 units of mathematics credit for graduation.
PLTW (Project Lead the Way) ~ Pathway Elective Wheel
Project Lead The Way provides a comprehensive approach to STEM Education. Through activity-, project-, and problem-based curriculum, PLTW gives students in middle school through high school a chance to apply what they know, identify problems, find unique solutions, and lead their own learning. They use industry-leading technology to solve problems while gaining skills in communication, collaboration, critical-thinking, and creativity.
Biomedical Science (PLTW)
The rigorous and relevant course of PLTW Biomedical Science sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future. Each course in the Biomedical Science sequence builds on the skills and knowledge students gain in the preceding courses. Schools offer the three PLTW Biomedical Science foundation courses within a period of three academic years from the start of implementation and may also offer the capstone course.
Engineering (PLTW)
In PLTW Engineering, students engage in open-ended problem solving, learn and apply the engineering design process, and use the same industry-leading technology and software as are used in the world’s top companies. Students are immersed in design as they investigate topics such as sustainability, mechatronics, forces, structures, aerodynamics, digital electronics and circuit design, manufacturing, and the environment, which gives them an opportunity to learn about different engineering disciplines before beginning post-secondary education or careers. Schools offer a minimum of three courses by the end of the third year of implementation: Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and any specialization course or the capstone course.
Science
The science curriculum is aligned with the California Science Common Core Standards. The courses are sequenced so that the knowledge and skills acquired in each course prepare students for the knowledge and skills to be learned in each sequential course. Students must earn 20 units of science credit for graduation (10 units of physical science and 10 units of life science).
Social Science
The social sciences curriculum is aligned with the California Social Science Common Core Standards. Students must earn 30 units of social science credit for graduation (10 units of World History, 10 units of Unites States History, 5 units of American Government and 5 units of Economics).
Foreign Language
The foreign language program is comprised of Spanish 1-4 classes. These foreign language classes stress continued progressive acquisition of effective communication in both written and spoken language and an understanding of the practices and products of the culture being studied. The courses are sequenced so that the knowledge and skills acquired in each course prepare students for the knowledge and skills to be learned in each sequential course. Students may earn 10 units to fulfill the one year fine arts requirement to graduate or up to 40 units to fulfill the two year (3+ years recommended) of the same language requirement of most California universities.
Visual and Performing Arts
Courses in the Visual and Performing Arts follow the Framework for California Public Schools adopted in January 2001. All courses build on skills and knowledge acquired in a sequential manner from beginning to advanced. One year of fine arts (10 units) can be used for graduation requirements or one year of an A thru G certified class for entrance to UC or Cal State.
Physical Education
Student must earn a total of 20 units of physical education credit for graduation. All students must earn 10 units in Beginning PE. Athletic classes are for 10th-12th graders only who meet the prerequisite. 9th graders may take an athletic class only if they remain in their beginning PE class and have the letter of approval signed by their parents stating that the athletic class is to take the place of their elective class and if the students meet the prerequisite.
Other Electives
As part of the graduation requirement, students must earn a total of 70 electives units. The following courses are considered electives and, therefore, will be applied toward the electives unit requirement.