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Science

GRADE 8 – 9 COURSES

SC: SCIENCE 8

Prerequisite:  Grade 7

Within the framework of the Communication, Thinking and Personal Social Core Competencies, Science 8 includes hands-on lab activities, inquiry projects, collaborative assignments and class work. This course also promotes positive attitudes toward science and an understanding of the importance of science in today’s complex world. The Big Ideas include the understanding that: Life processes are performed at the cellular level, the behaviour of matter can be explained by the kinetic molecular theory and Atomic Theory, the Theory of Plate Tectonics is the unifying theory that explains Earth’s geological processes and energy can be transferred as both a particle and a wave.

 

SC:  SCIENCE 8/9 INCENTIVE

Required:  Accepted into the Incentive Program (see description on page 15).

This course is the first of a two-year accelerated Science curriculum where motivated and capable Incentive students cover three years of Science (8-10) in two years rather than the usual three. In this first course, Incentive Grade 8 students will cover the basic Science 8 curriculum and approximately half of the Science 9 curriculum The scientific method of inquiry will be a central theme through all of the major units covered, including Life Processes, The Kinetic Molecular Theory, Plate Tectonics, Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum and Electricity. Learning will focus on the development of scientific skills and processes, critical thought and increased scientific knowledge. Class activities will include discussion and debate, as well as enrichment opportunities such as independent student research, culminating in a mandatory Science Fair project. Pre-AP/Incentive students who successfully and satisfactorily complete this course may subsequently register for Science 9/10 Incentive.

 

SC: SCIENCE 9

Prerequisite: Science 8

Within the framework of the Communication, Thinking and Personal Social Core Competencies, Science 9 includes hands-on lab activities, inquiry projects, collaborative assignments and class work. This course also promotes positive attitudes toward science and an understanding of the importance of science in today’s complex world. During the year students will investigate Cell Division and the propagation of life, the Electron arrangement of atoms impacts their chemical nature and the Formation of Compounds, Electricity and electric current is the flow of electric charge and Interactions between the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them. This course involves laboratory experiments, demonstrations, and other activities.

 

SC:  SCIENCE 9/10 INCENTIVE

Required:  Accepted into the Incentive Program (see description on page 15), as well as satisfactory completion of Science 8/9 Incentive.

This course is the second of a two-year accelerated Science curriculum where motivated and Incentive students cover three years of Science (8-10) in two years rather than the usual three. In this second course, Incentive Grade 9 students will cover the balance of the Science 9 course that started in Incentive Science 8, as well as the entire Science 10 curriculum. The scientific method of inquiry will continue to be a major theme through the study of topics such as: Genes as the foundation for the diversity of living things, energy is conserved and its transformation can affect living things and the environment, chemical processes require energy change as atoms are rearranged and the formation of the universe can be explained by the big bang theory. Laboratory activities will be used as a vehicle to develop the scientific approach to problem solving, as well as increased skills in scientific observation and interpretation. Class activities will include discussion and debate, as well as enrichment opportunities such as independent student research, culminating in a mandatory Science Fair project. Students will receive credit for Science 10 upon the successful completion of this course

GRADE 10 - 12 COURSES

 

SC: SCIENCE 10

Prerequisite:  Science 9

This course continues the development of scientific skills, knowledge and thinking abilities previously explored in Science 8 and 9. Laboratory activities emphasize the scientific approach to problem solving and the importance of scientific observations and interpretation.  Big ideas specifically include: Genes as the foundation for the diversity of living things, energy is conserved and its transformation can affect living things and the environment, chemical processes require energy change as atoms are rearranged; and the formation of the universe can be explained by the big bang theory. The ultimate goal of the course is to help develop individuals who are aware, informed and concerned about the physical world.

 

SC: LIFE SCIENCES 11

Prerequisite: Science 10

This is an introductory course intended to explore basic biological principles and study the varying complexities of living organisms.  Students will study a range of organisms to understand the unique adaptations and abilities they have evolved.  In addition, there will be an emphasis on using the scientific process and critical thinking skills for labs and class work. Laboratory work, including a variety of animal and plant dissections, will be an integral part of this course.

Topics include:

  • Methods and principles of Biology
  • Cell Biology: Cellular Structure and Processes
  • Genetics, Evolution, and Taxonomy: The Diversity of Life
  • Microbiology: Viruses, Bacteria, Protists
  • Mycology: Fungus and their variants
  • Botany: From Seaweed to Swordferns, From Spruce to Sunflowers
  • Zoology: From Sponges to Seastars, From Fish to Foxes
  • Ecology: The Interconnectedness of Life

 

SC: LIFE SCIENCES 11 ENRICHED

Prerequisite: Science 10

Recommended: B or better in Science 10 

This is an accelerated and enriched course intended to explore basic biological principles and study the varying complexities of living organisms.  The course will cover all the content from Life Science 11 with additional material intended to help students prepare for Anatomy & Physiology 12 and AP Biology 12.  There will be an emphasis on using the scientific process and critical thinking skills for labs and class work.  Laboratory work, including animal and plant dissection, will be an integral part of this course.  

Topics include:  

  • All content listed under Life Science 11
  • Phylogeny and classification
  • Ecology and population genetics
  • Genetics and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
  • Photosynthesis
  • Animal Behaviours and interactions

 

SC: CHEMISTRY 11

Prerequisite: Science 10 and Math 10

Recommended: C+ or better in both Science 10 and Math 10

This is an introductory course, which emphasizes laboratory technical skills, observation of experimental phenomena, problem solving and analysis of data to verify scientific principles. Topics include: description of matter, classification of matter, periodic table, atomic theory, naming compounds, mole concept, stoichiometry, aqueous ionic reactions, and organic chemistry. Many options such as nuclear chemistry, gases, biochemistry, environmental and industrial chemistry will be offered. A scientific calculator will be necessary as this course involves mathematical problem-solving.

 

SC: PHYSICS 11

Prerequisite: Science 10 and Math 10

Recommended: C+ or better in both Science 10 and Math 10, and Math 11 taken concurrently

This course is a survey of some of the important topics in Physics. The areas of study will include the study of motion and forces, DC circuits, energy, wave motion applied to either sound or light and Einstein’s theory of special relativity. The course is intended to introduce students to the ideas and discipline of Physics. Students will take part in classroom discussions, experiments, classroom demonstrations, and student projects. The emphasis of the course will be the use of principles of Physics to describe the world and to utilize these principles in problem solving. Curricular competencies such as work ethic, critical thinking, science communication and problem solving are promoted through the content of the course. A scientific calculator is required.

 

SC: SCIENCE FOR CITIZENS 11

Prerequisite: Science 10 or by permission/placement.

NOTE: This course fulfills the basic science graduation requirement for students not planning on attending university. 

The big ideas in this course cover: 1) scientific processes and knowledge that inform our decisions and impact our lives, 2) scientific knowledge that can be used to develop procedures, techniques and technologies related to employment, and 3) how scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally.  Skills for questioning, predicting, planning, processing and analyzing data, and evaluating form the core competencies for this course.

 

SC: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 12

Recommended: C+ standing or better in Life Sciences 11 and Chemistry 11

This course explores the functions and organization of the human body and is intended for those students with a keen interest in the life sciences and/or those students wishing to pursue biological studies at the post-secondary level.  Prior knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry and biology acquired from Science 10, Life Sciences 11, and Chemistry 11 will definitely benefit students in the biochemistry and cell biology topics as the course weaves these concepts together to further understand how the body functions.

Topics include:

  • Biochemistry: The Chemistry of Biological Molecules in Living Organisms.
  • Cell Structures and Function.
  • Cell Processes: Metabolism, Biochemical Reactions, Enzymes, Cell Transport.
  • DNA, Protein Synthesis, Gene Regulation and Mutation, Cancer.
  • Human Organ Systems: Structure, Function and Interconnectedness of Digestion, Respiration, Circulation, Excretion, Nervous, Endocrine, and Reproduction.

 

SC : ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 12 ENRICHED

Recommended: B standing or better in Life Sciences 11 and Chemistry 11  

This course explores the functions and organization of the human body and is intended for those students with a keen interest in the life sciences and/or those students wishing to pursue biological studies at the post-secondary level.  This course is recommended as a pre-requisite for or taken concurrently with AP Biology 12 to adequately prepare students for the AP exam. Prior knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry and biology acquired from Science 10, Life Sciences 11, and Chemistry 11 will be of benefit students in the biochemistry and cell biology topics as the course weaves these concepts together to further understand how the body functions. 

Topics include:  

  • All the content listed under Anatomy & Physiology 12
  • Control of enzymatic reactions
  • Gene expression and control
  • Additional content related to human body systems

 

SC: ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY 12   

Prerequisite: B or better in Life Sciences 11 or Life Sciences 11 Enriched, B or better in Anatomy & Physiology 12 or Anatomy & Physiology 12 Enriched OR taking Anatomy & Physiology 12 or Enriched concurrently.  

Recommended: B or better in Chemistry 11  

AP Biology 12 is designed to be the equivalent of first year university level biology and is therefore more challenging than Biology 12. The content of AP Biology can be successfully completed only if students have completed Life Science 11 and Anatomy & Physiology 12 previously, or if they are taking Anatomy & Physiology 12 concurrently with AP Biology 12.  Life Science 11 Enriched and Anatomy & Physiology 12 Enriched are strongly recommended to build a better foundation for AP Biology 12. An important component of the AP Biology course is extended laboratory work. There are mandatory laboratory experiments that must be completed by all students, as these labs are examinable on the AP Biology exam. Success in the AP Exam also provides students with post-secondary credit for the equivalent courses.  To qualify for first year university chemistry credit, students must obtain school credit and a minimum score of 4 (four) on the Advanced Placement College Board Biology Examination written in early May. All institutions may not give this credit though local universities such as UBC and SFU do.

Topics include:

• Ecology, phylogeny, and evolution

• Gene expression and control

• DNA and genomics

• Cellular respiration and photosynthesis

• Statistical analysis

• Additional content related to human body systems

 

SC: CHEMISTRY 12

Prerequisite: Chemistry 11

Recommended: C+ or better in Chemistry 11 and Math 11

This course requires a solid foundation of the principles of Chemistry 11 to study at an advanced and demanding level the topics of: kinetics, chemical equilibrium, solubility, acids and bases, and electrochemistry.  Substantial laboratory work will be required and involve quantitative and qualitative analysis. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving, conceptual understanding and critical thinking.

 

SC: ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY 12  

Prerequisite: Chemistry 11            

Recommended: B or better in Chemistry 11

This course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first year of university or college. This course may enable some students to undertake second year work in chemistry or to register in courses in other fields where chemistry is a prerequisite. For other students, the Advanced Placement Chemistry course may fulfill the laboratory science requirement. Topics to be covered include: Structure of Matter, Organic Chemistry, States of Matter, Descriptive Chemistry, Reactions, and Laboratory.

To qualify for first year university chemistry credit, students must obtain school credit and a minimum

score of 4 (four) on the Advanced Placement College Board of Chemistry Examination written in early May.  All institutions may not give this credit.  UBC and SFU do.

Note: This course is offered in combination with Chemistry 12.  Students must have completed Chemistry 12 or take it concurrently with AP Chemistry.

 

SC: PHYSICS 12

Prerequisite: Physics 11 and Math 11

Recommended: C+ or better in Physics 11 and Math 11, and Math 12 taken concurrently

This course is intended for students continuing their study of the discipline. Thus the treatment of the topics is mathematically more rigorous than Physics 11. The topics studied in this course include two dimensional motion and forces, energy, circular motion, and electricity and magnetism. Students will get the opportunity (for example, lab design) to develop inquiry and critical thinking skills. With hands on activities and group work, students will develop communication skills and social responsibility. Work ethic, critical thinking, science communication and problem solving are promoted through the content of the course. A scientific calculator is required.

 

SC: ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS      

Prerequisite: Physics 11 and Math 11

Recommended: Physics 12 and Math 12, concurrently

This course is intended for students who have a special interest in Physics and plan to continue studying physics, engineering, mathematics or computing. AP Physics is equivalent to a one-semester algebra-based university course in mechanics, waves, and electricity. During this course students will study kinematics and dynamics, conservation laws, rotation, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, and DC circuits. Students will be encouraged to write the AP exam at the end of the year as well as numerous Physics contest exams.

 

SC: ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY

Prerequisite: There are no prerequisites for AP Psychology except for the general application to all AP Courses.

Recommended: Minimum Grade 10 age with B or higher in Sciences, Socials, and/or English.

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes.  While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.

More information is available from the AP College Board Website: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2265.html

Note: This course will be offered off the regular timetable (in conjunction with RVS).  Weekly meeting times to be determined.