It is recommended that at least one scientific investigation conducted in the field or laboratory per year be a student-designed project involving a tested hypothesis (project must be approved and supervised by the instructor).

Teacher supervision may be synchronous or asynchronous, depending on whether the learning environment is classroom-based, fully online, or a hybrid.

At least 20 percent of class time will include teacher-supervised, hands-on laboratory activities that are directly related to, and support, the other class work, and that involve inquiry, observation, analysis, and write-up of investigations consistent with the practices of the scientific field.

Courses will specify, at a minimum, elementary algebra or an equally rigorous foundational quantitative reasoning course (e.g., Mathematics I) as a required prerequisite or co-requisite, and will employ quantitative reasoning and methods wherever appropriate.

They will also require students to discuss scientific ideas with other students and teachers, differentiate observations from interpretations, engage in critical thinking, and write clearly and coherently on scientific topics.Courses will provide opportunities for students to participate in all phases of the scientific process, including formulation of well-posed scientific questions and hypotheses, design of experiments and/or data collection strategies, analysis of data, and drawing of conclusions.The content for biology, chemistry, and physics courses will generally be drawn from the California Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects.Courses will provide rigorous, in-depth treatments of the conceptual foundations of the scientific subject studied.

Regardless of the scientific subject, courses will integrate the eight practices of science and engineering outlined in the California Next Generation Science Standards and will support students in achieving the core competencies.Courses meeting the science (D) subject requirement will satisfy these criteria:

3 scientific habits of mind