Sciences

All students must successfully complete a Science 11 or 12 course for graduation in British Columbia. Most universities and colleges require at least one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics for entrance. Check individual university and college entrance requirements to be sure what you’ll need.

EXAMS: All Science courses have final exams except where noted in the course description.

GRADE 8 to 10 SCIENCE:

The junior science curriculum is required for graduation. There are 4 big ideas in each course, the can be generalized to fit into the following strands: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth and Space Science. These course concepts prepare you for future science courses.

GRADE 11 SCIENCES:

Chemistry 11

Chemistry 11 is a dynamic course that focuses on a wide variety of laboratory experiences. Experimental work is used frequently to introduce and confirm theoretical knowledge. The diversity of topics covered helps students to understand their natural environment. It involves the study of matter, the mole,  chemical reactions, solution chemistry, and organic chemistry.  Students will study varied industrial processes and be able to recognize the potential environmental consequences of their use. By the end of the course, students have an excellent grasp of the role of chemistry in fields such as biology, geology, pharmacology, agriculture, and engineering. In addition to preparing students for future chemistry courses, this course is a valuable asset to students pursuing biological and earth sciences and is a prerequisite for Science admissions at several post-secondary institutions.

Earth Science 11

Earth Science 11 is one of the first specialized science courses available in high school, and focusses on the study of the workings and mechanisms of the planet Earth.  Areas of focus include below the ground, above the ground, and beyond the atmosphere. Successful completion of Earth Science 11 allows access to further geology classes at the grade 12 level, and is one of the prerequisites for many post-secondary programs of study.  This course will focus on the topics given below.  There will be lab work, research work, discussion and debate in addition to the regular classwork and assignments.

Topics

1. Processes of Science

2. Earth Materials and Cycles

3. Plate Tectonic Theory

4. Atmospheric Science and Climate

5. Oceanography

6. Earth in the Solar System, and other Cosmology/Astronomy topics

Environmental Science 11

Following a scientific inquiry model, students will explore how complex roles and relationships contribute to the diversity of ecosystems and how changing ecosystems are maintained by natural processes.  Students will use project-based learning, service learning and field work to describe how human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems and how humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems.  

Life Sciences 11 (previously Biology 11)

Life Sciences 11 can be thought of as ‘the survey of life’ course but the topics investigate many of the important biological concepts  which are necessary for understanding of: how we classify organisms; how species evolved and continue to evolve; and how organisms and species interact within and amongst themselves and the environment.  Life Sciences 11 will also develop knowledge and skills in laboratory practices and scientific inquiry.  The course will revolve around explorations into the ‘big ideas' such as:

• Science is a way of understanding nature.

• Life is a result of interactions at the molecular and cellular levels.

• Organisms are grouped based on common characteristics.

• Evolution occurs at the population level.

• Ecosystems are maintained by natural processes and complex roles and relationships contribute to diversity of ecosystems.

Physics 11

Physics 11 is strongly recommended for students planning further studies in the Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, or Mathematics, or for students who are generally curious about how the universe works. It is expected that students have successfully completed Foundations of Math & Pre-Calculus 10 before taking Physics 11, as strong algebra, trigonometry, and graphing skills are required for a mastery of the ideas in this course.

The majority of this course covers the basics of kinematics (the study of how things move - distance, speed, and acceleration) and dynamics (the study of why things move - forces and Newton's Laws). The energy concepts learned in Science 10 will be further developed, and will be applied to electric circuits. Finally, the properties of waves will be explored, with an emphasis on sound and light waves.

GRADE 12 SCIENCES:

Anatomy and Physiology 12 (previously Biology 12)

Anatomy and Physiology is an overview of human anatomy and physiology from the molecular level to the organ system level. The first part of the course covers cell structure and function. The second part covers basic human anatomy and physiology. The underlying theme of the course is homoeostasis – the maintenance of a steady state within the organism. This course has a large section of biochemistry and the completion of Chemistry 11 is advantageous for success in this course. This course will give you a good understanding of the complexities of humans and help prepare you for a future in biology/life sciences at a post-secondary level.

Chemistry 12 

Chemistry 12 builds upon the knowledge gained in Chemistry 11, providing students with a much more detailed understanding of the structure and behaviour of matter. Students are highly stimulated in this course and develop problem-solving skills that help them in many other disciplines. The central theme of the course is the concept of equilibrium in chemical systems. This concept is studied through extensive theoretical and laboratory work involving electrochemistry, acids, bases, solubility, and reaction kinetics. Through the study of Chemistry, the learners are given an opportunity to explore and understand the natural world and to become aware of the profound influence of chemistry in their lives. Any students considering further studies in the fields of general science, medical sciences, agriculture, forestry, engineering, geology, etc., should investigate the requirement for Chemistry 12 as a prerequisite. 

Environmental Science 12

Following a scientific inquiry model, students will explore how human actions affect local water and global climate systems.  Students will use project-based learning, service learning and field work to describe how sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a population, and how living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community and the Earth.   

Environmental Science 11 is not a required pre-requisite for Environmental Science 12.  

Physics 12

Physics 12 is strongly recommended for students planning furthers studies in the Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, or Mathematics, or for students who are generally curious about how the universe works. It is expected that students successfully complete Pre-Calculus 11 before taking Physics 12.

Physics 12 introduces several extensions of the concepts covered in Physics 11, such as equilibrium, circular motion, gravitation, and satellite motion. New concepts that are explored include momentum and impulse, electrostatics, electromagnetism, and the special theory of relativity.