Science

The Science 9 course introduces students to individual and group discovery in a laboratory setting. This course is activity based with an emphasis on four areas of scientific discovery. In Chemistry, the major concepts of ionic compounds and patterns within the periodic table are explored. In Physics, the major emphasis is on static and current electricity. Students will explore topics in Biology related to sexual and asexual reproduction as well as cell division.  Topics in Environmental Science will also be explored particularly related to the carbon cycle, energy flows, and human impacts on the environment.  The course goals are to introduce students to scientific discovery and a wide range of scientific knowledge, and to teach them to work effectively in a group setting. Note: Students with a C- in Science 8 are recommended to have an LEC support block concurrently when taking Science 9. 

Foundation: None

These two classes taken in grade 9 allow academically strong students to accelerate, thereby providing some additional preparation time for the Advanced Placement science courses in their grade 12 year. Grade 9 students in the Honours program are enrolled in Science 9 Honours in the fall semester. In the second semester of their grade 9 year, students then take Science 10 Honours. In grade 10, students would take one or more grade 11 level science courses followed by grade 12 level courses in grade 11. In their grade 12 year, students would be eligible to choose from a variety of AP Seminar science courses. Please note that this is a separate application form from the Math 10 Honours course.   APPLICATIONS CLOSE FEB. 10 @ 4pm.

The application link is: https://forms.office.com/r/gfi74TW7RB

It can also be found on our website under Publications or use the QR code to access.

The Science 10 course encourages students to work together in a laboratory setting to safely investigate a variety of topics in the four major science areas.   There will be four big ideas that will be investigated:  genes are the foundation for the diversity of living things, chemical processes require energy change as atoms are rearranged, energy is conserved and its transformation can affect living things and the environment, the formation of the universe can be explained by the big bang theory. The goals of the course are to increase scientific knowledge, to promote critical thinking skills and proper lab skills, and to instill appropriate attitudes about safety. This course is a mandatory graduation requirement. It is highly recommended that students who were EMERGING in Science 9 should prepare for Science 10 by attending Summer Learning to  improve their proficiency level before taking Science 10. 

Foundation:  Science 9 

This course will take a unique approach to science by looking at the practical applications of scientific principles and evaluating the positive and negative effects of technology on society and the environment. Advances in various areas such as communications, energy and resources, health, transportation, and manufacturing will be investigated. Problem solving will be emphasized and evaluation will involve a combination of classroom and project work. This course will fulfill the Science 11 requirement for graduation but not for university entrance. 

Foundation:  Science 10 

Life Sciences 11 is the first course in the secondary Biology program and is designed to introduce students to the diversity of living organisms and their adaptation to their environment. The major Kingdoms are studied, and topics covered include taxonomy, evolution, microbiology, plant biology, animal biology, mycology, and ecology. The theme of evolutionary change is carried out in all units of study. There is also a heavy emphasis on laboratory work which includes microscope work and dissections. Students also acquire study and critical thinking skills in the curricular competencies that are necessary for Anatomy & Physiology 12. It is recommended that students are proficient in reading, comprehension, and expository writing. There is a course fee of $10, which is used to cover enhanced versions of certain labs such as animal dissections and live organisms. All course fees are optional, and if a student chooses not to pay, alternative, appropriate activities will be available to fully cover the curricular outcomes.  

Foundation: Science 10

Anatomy and Physiology 12 is a fast-paced, specialized, academic course that covers two major areas of study: cell biology and human physiology. Physiology covers biological molecules, cell structure, cell membrane transport, DNA, protein synthesis, enzymatic activity, and homeostasis. Human anatomy covers some of the major body systems such as: digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, nervous, and reproductive systems. The following science process skills will be addressed and evaluated: questioning and predicting; planning and conducting; processing and analyzing data; processing and analyzing information; evaluating; applying; innovating; and communicating. It is recommended that students are proficient in reading, comprehension, and expository writing. There is an optional course fee to cover a fetal pig dissection which is no longer part of the curriculum, but many students still want to participate in it.  If a student chooses not to opt-in and pay for the optional dissection, many other appropriate activities will be available to fully cover the curricular and content competencies.  

Foundation: Chemistry 11 – the physiology portion of the course requires strong foundational knowledge of atomic theory, basic organic chemistry, understanding of pH and catalytic reactions. Life Science 11 is HIGHLY recommended prior to taking Anatomy and Physiology 12  as foundational study skills, practical laboratory skills and analytical skills are taught and practiced throughout Life Science 11. 

This is the third course in the secondary Biology program. This semester two course is for the highly motivated and scientifically minded Biology student who wishes to study Biology in more depth and detail. The College Board AP curriculum is equivalent to a first-year Biology course at a college or university. Course content is structured around four big ideas: a) Evolution as the driving force of diversity and unity of life; b) The use of free energy in biological systems; c) Living systems; and d) Interaction of biological systems. This very fast-paced course introduces the student to the rigours of university-level material and has an extensive inquiry-based laboratory component. The following science process skills will be extensively addressed and evaluated: questioning and predicting; planning and conducting; processing and analyzing data and information; evaluating; applying; innovating; and communicating. There is an optional College Board AP Biology exam in May for students who wish to obtain advanced standing for credit at some universities. There is also an optional fee for a vertebrate dissection at the end of the semester.    

Foundation: Life Sciences 11, Anatomy and Physiology 12 (Biology 12), Chemistry 11, and Chemistry 12. Achievement in Chemistry 11, Life Sciences 11, Anatomy and Physiology 12 should be an “A” or high “B”. Chemistry 12 should be taken in semester one or concurrently in semester two. Students should also have strong, expository writing skills as it is required for writing lab reports and free response exam questions. Please see a counsellor for a supplemental application form for this course.    

Chemistry 11 involves the study of atoms, molecules and matter, chemical reactions, solution chemistry, and organic chemistry.  It introduces the concept of the mole, and how it applies to chemical reactions. Many interesting laboratory experiments are performed to help students understand the lecture concepts.  This is a heavily math-based course and strong problem-solving skills are needed.  Students should have strong core Chemistry 10 skills such as writing formulas, naming compounds and balancing equations..  

Foundation: B standing in Science 10 and a C+ in Math 10 Foundations and Pre-Calculus is recommended. 

Chemistry 12 builds on experiences in Chemistry 11. Students must have a good understanding of the Mole Concept, Stoichiometry and Solution Chemistry taught in Chemistry 11.  Many interesting lab experiments will re-enforce the understanding of rates of chemical reactions, chemical equilibrium, reactions in solution, acid-base chemistry, and electrochemistry.  Students will gain an increased understanding of the importance of chemistry in the modern world.   This is a heavily math-based course and strong mathematical problem-solving skills are needed.    

Foundation:  C+ standing in Chemistry 11 and Pre-Calculus Math 11/12 is recommended. 

This course covers material equivalent to first year university chemistry. It is an excellent preview and will give students an advantage in post-secondary science programs. The course is broken up into two parts: practical knowledge (25%) and a theoretical knowledge (75%). Students will learn new concepts and build upon the ones learnt in Chemistry 11 and 12. Course topics includes: Unit 1 – Atomic Structure and Properties; Unit 2 – Molecular and Ionic Compound Structure and Properties; Unit 3– Intermolecular Forces and Properties; Unit 4- Chemical Reactions; Unit 5 – Kinetics; Unit 6 – Thermodynamics; Unit 7 – Equilibrium; Unit 8 – Acids and Bases; and Unit 9 – Applications of Thermodynamics. In May, the students have the option of writing the College Board Advanced Placement Chemistry exam which could give them university credit for the course.  After the exam, students will be focused on building lab skills for the remainder of the course.   

Foundation:  Chemistry 11 and Chemistry 12 

This course explores the Earth and its place in the solar system and involves a hands-on approach to studying rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, the hydrosphere and surface processes, geological time, and astronomy. These topics are covered through an integration of class work, labs, projects and limited field studies. This course fulfills the Science 11 requirement for graduation. 

Foundation:  Science 10 

Microplastics, climate change, garbage in the ocean, air pollution… Environmental issues are becoming increasingly relevant to all our lives.  At its foundation, the course will be an exploration of ecosystems extending from material introduced in Science 9.  Questions about ecosystems that will be investigated include:  What makes ecosystems diverse?  How do they change naturally?  What kinds of change happen because of human activity?  How can humans get involved in environmental stewardship and in restoring ecosystems?  This course will involve hands-on activities and fieldwork and will help you understand what’s happening in the world around you  

Foundation:  Science 10 

Environmental issues are becoming increasingly relevant to all our lives. Microplastics, climate change, garbage in the ocean, air pollution.  At its foundation, the course will be an exploration of Human Impact extending from material introduced in Environmental Science 11.  Questions about Human Impact that will be investigated include:  What kinds of change happen because of human activity?  How can humans get involved in environmental stewardship and in restoring ecosystems? This course embeds case studies, is fieldwork based and explores future careers related to Environmental Sciences. 

Foundation:  Environmental Science 11 

This is the first course in the secondary school Physics program and is designed to introduce students to the study of Physics as a formal scientific discipline. Since Physics 11 offers the opportunity to experience a structured scientific approach to the forces affecting the natural world, strong mathematical problem-solving skills are required. It focuses on the motion of objects in one and two dimensions and applying the classical Newtonian foundations of mechanics in preparation for grade 12. Grade 11 Physics also provides the opportunities to explore electric circuits and the property of waves. Students will be encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards physical sciences. There will be the opportunity to compete in local, national, and international physics competitions.

Foundation:  B standing in both Science 10 and Foundations of Pre-Calculus 10 is strongly recommended.

This is the second course in the secondary physics program and is designed to prepare students for further study of physical science at a post-secondary level. The focus in grade 12 is on a structured mathematical foundation for applying physical laws to the two and three-dimensional world. Classical Newtonian mechanics, introduced in grade 11, are further explored for the first half of the course, while the second half provides students with an introduction to Einstein’s special relativity and a thorough grounding in electromagnetism. Students will have the opportunity to compete in local, national, and international physics competitions.  

Foundation:  Recommended B standing in Physics 11 

Advanced Placement Physics 1 offers students the opportunity to study most of the concepts of a first-year college or university general physics course. Successful completion of the course and sufficient achievement on the Advanced Placement Exam in May will determine if college or university credit or advanced placement is granted. Topics of study include all of the material studied in Physics 11 and additional topics beyond the BC curriculum. Many of these topics are examined in greater detail depth.  

Foundation:  Recommended B standing in Physics 11 (concurrently if available).   

Advanced Placement Physics 2 offers students the opportunity to study most of the concepts of a first year college or university general physics course. Successful completion of the course and sufficient achievement on the Advanced Placement Exam in May will determine if college or university credit or advanced placement is granted. Topics of study include all of the material studied in Physics 12 and additional topics beyond the BC curriculum. Many of these topics are examined in greater detail and depth. 

Foundation:  Physics 1 AP or B standing in Physics 12 (concurrently if available).