Engineering

List of 4 items.

• Honors Engineering Essentials (PLTW)

  Honors Engineering Essentials offers students the opportunity to experience the important field of engineering. The course aims to broaden participation in engineering by highlighting its impact and challenging student perceptions of the field, with a focus on exploring global engineering challenges and sustainability goals, as well as personal, societal, environmental, and economic impacts of engineering solutions. Sample topics covered in the course include disaster relief and recovery, worker health and well-being, modern medical devices and procedures, and sustainable cities and communities. By introducing students to diverse topics and a variety of engineering disciplines, Honors Engineering Essentials aims to inspire more participation among a broader range of students. This course is UC-approved as an Honors interdisciplinary elective on the “d” list and does not satisfy any math and science requirements. 
  
  

  Prerequisites: Students must be concurrently enrolled in Algebra I or a more advanced mathematics course. 
  
  

  Other factors: Students must indicate their interest in this course on the online course request. Sufficient scores on the MAP entrance exam as space is limited. 

• Honors Principles of Engineering (PLTW)

  This survey course exposes students to major concepts they will encounter in a post-secondary engineering course of study. Students have an opportunity to investigate engineering and high-tech careers, and to develop skills and understanding of concepts including mechanisms, energy, statics, materials, and kinematics. Students employ engineering and scientific concepts in the solution of engineering design problems and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges. Students also learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions to peers and members of the professional community. This course is UC-approved as an Honors interdisciplinary elective on the “d” list; itand does not satisfy any math and science requirements.

  
  

  Prerequisites: Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and have earned a grade of C or higher in Honors Engineering 

  Essentials and/or have instructor approval.
  
  

  Students must also have earned a B or better in Algebra 1.

• AP® Computer Science Principles (PLTW)

  This course is offered in rotation with Honors Civil Engineering and Architecture. It will be offered in 2025-2026; it will not be offered in 2026-2027.
  
  Using Python® as a primary tool, students learn the fundamentals of coding, data processing, data security, and task automation, while learning to contribute to an inclusive, safe, and ethical computing culture. The course promotes computational thinking and coding fundamentals and introduces computational tools that foster creativity. Computer Science Principles helps students develop programming expertise and explore the workings of the Internet. Projects and problems include app development, visualization of data, cybersecurity, and simulation. PLTW is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science Principles (AP CSP). This endorsement affirms that all components of PLTW CSP’s offerings are aligned to the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CSP assessment. It is UC-approved as a science elective on the “d” list;, but it does not satisfy any core math and science requirements. 

   

  Prerequisites: Preference will be given to seniors and juniors who have completed Engineering Essentials and Principles of Engineering with grades of B- or higher. Other interested students not currently in Principles of Engineering must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. All students must be concurrently enrolled in (or have completed with a grade of B- or higher) appropriate grade level math and science courses. 
  
  

  Other factors: AP Potential™ scores, student work habits. 

• Honors Civil Engineering & Architecture (PLTW)

  This course is offered in rotation with AP® Computer Science Principles. It will not be offered in 2025-2026; it will be offered in 2026-2027.
  
  The major focus of this course is completing long-term projects that involve the development of property sites. As students learn about various aspects of civil engineering and architecture, they apply what they learn to the design and development of a property. The course provides teachers and students freedom to develop the property as a simulation or for students to model the experiences that civil engineers and architects face. Students work in teams, exploring hands-on activities and projects to learn the characteristics of civil engineering and architecture. In addition, students use 3D design software to help them design solutions to solve major course projects. Students learn about documenting their project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community of civil engineering and architecture.
  
  This Honors course is UC-approved as a science elective on the “d” list;, but it does not satisfy any core math and science requirements.
  
  

  Prerequisites: Preference will be given to seniors and juniors who have completed Engineering Essentials and Principles of Engineering with grades of B- or higher. Other interested students not currently in Principles of Engineering must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. All students must be concurrently enrolled in (or have completed with a grade of B- or higher) appropriate grade level math and science courses.