Science and scientific literacy play a key role in educating you today for the world you will live in tomorrow. Science courses develop your abilities to think critically, solve problems, and make ethical decisions; to communicate your questions, express your opinions, and challenge your ideas in a scientifically literate way; and to exercise an awareness of your role as an ecologically literate citizen, engaged and competent in meeting the responsibilities of caring for living things and the planet. Scientifically literate citizens are able to use scientific evidence, as well as their knowledge from other areas of learning, to develop their own views, discuss and debate, and make informed decisions in their daily lives and about broader issues, while maintaining their curiosity and wonder about the natural world. Science courses include content from biology, chemistry, physics, earth and space sciences, anatomy and physiology, and environmental science.
Science Courses and Descriptions
SCIENCE 8
In Science 8, through the MYP framework, students will begin to develop skills and attitudes necessary to become scientists. Students will discover three key concepts underlying many scientific processes: systems, relationships, and change, through exploration of the following topics: Cell Theory, Immunity, Kinetic Molecular and Atomic Theories, Optics, and Plate Tectonics. Students will also discover methods for collecting, processing and evaluating data in order to draw their own conclusions in these fields.
Throughout this course, students will show evidence of their learning in many ways. Knowledge and understanding of key concepts will be demonstrated through individual and group assessments. Experimental design and analysis skills will be highlighted in laboratory investigations. Students' ability to reflect on ethical, social, economic, political, cultural, or environmental impacts of science on society will be assessed through real-world research activities.
SCIENCE 9
In Science 9, students will build on the scientific attitudes and the skills introduced in Science 8. Students will develop a deep understanding of systems, relationships, and change through explorations in the following topics: Cellular Reproduction, Chemical Properties & the Periodic Table, Electricity, and Cycles of Matter (Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere and Geosphere). Students will further develop methods for collecting, processing and evaluating data in order to draw their own conclusions in these fields.
Throughout this course, students will show evidence of their learning in many ways. Knowledge and understanding of key concepts will be demonstrated through individual and group assessments. Experimental design and analysis skills will be highlighted in laboratory investigations. Students' ability to reflect on ethical, social, economic, political, cultural, or environmental impacts of science on society will be assessed through real-world research activities and projects.
SCIENCE 10
In Science 10, students will refine their conceptual understandings and skills developed in Science 9 in order to prepare for senior science courses. Students will develop a deep understanding of systems, relationships, and change through explorations in the following topics: Energy Conservation and Transformation, DNA and Biodiversity, Chemical Reactions, and the Formation of the Universe. Students will learn sophisticated methods for collecting, processing and evaluating data in order to draw their own conclusions in these fields.
Throughout this course, students will show evidence of their learning in many ways. Knowledge and understanding of key concepts will be demonstrated through quizzes, tests, and research projects. Experimental design and analysis skills will be highlighted in laboratory investigations. Students' ability to reflect on ethical, social, economic, political, cultural, or environmental impacts of science on society will be assessed through research activities and projects.
CHEMISTRY 11 (4 credits)
Chemistry 11 provides students with basic concepts required for future chemistry courses. The course is theory based with a strong emphasis on quantitative aspects. A strong background in math is recommended. Key concepts include: lab skills, writing chemical equations, the mole, predicting amounts in chemical reactions, atomic structure, chemical bonding and organic chemistry.
EARTH SCIENCE 11 (4 credits)
Earth Science 11 is an introductory course designed to explore the diverse aspects of Earth and Space Science, offering applications to the real world. Earth Science topics include climate change, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, ocean and weather sciences, fossils, and the history of life on Earth. This course uses hands-on samples to look at some of these aspects, with a focus on local perspectives. Astronomy topics include planets and the Solar System, stars, galaxies, and deep space objects such as quasars and black holes. If you enjoy learning about our planet and its place in space, this course would be an interesting way to obtain a Grade 11 science course credit toward graduation. If you are possibly considering Geology or Geoscience as an academic career or vocation, then this course is an excellent introduction to the sciences of the Earth.
LIFE SCIENCES 11 (4 credits)
Life Sciences 11 will introduce you to the living world within and around you. We will explore the origin, evolution and diversity of life. We will focus on local organisms from all three domains, and the interrelationships between organisms through the lenses of western science and First Peoples knowledge and understanding. This course presents the study of Biology as an open and growing field of challenging problems awaiting solutions. Classroom activities include microscopic use, bacterial cultures, dissections, life drawings (some live specimens) and design labs. The Big Ideas of this curriculum are: Life is a result of interactions at the molecular and cellular levels, Evolution occurs at the population level, and Organisms are grouped based on common characteristics.
PHYSICS 11 (4 credits)
Physics 11 is an introductory physics course, where students meet many core physics concepts with a focus on mechanics (motion and Newton's Laws), electric circuits and wave phenomena. As well as introducing fundamental physics knowledge, the goal of this course is to teach students basic science and transferable skills. These skills include critical thinking and problem solving skills, the skills to collect and interpret data and design good experiments. All this will be done through a combination of hands- on learning and physical experiments, "thought experiments", and problem solving sessions. Students will be expected to work both independently and in groups. By the end of this course students will be expected to:
- Show a broad understanding of introductory physics concepts.
- Solve physics problems in familiar and unfamiliar
- Collect, process, and interpret
- Draw valid conclusions from
Physics is a science of logic and Mathematics is the language of logic. Thus, Mathematics is a deeply ingrained part of physics, and students who struggle in math may find that they also struggle in physics class. A recommended co-requisite is Pre-Calculus 11 and some students may find that they must put extra effort into improving algebra skills in order to find success in this course. More information about this course can be found at: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/science/11/physics
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 12 (4 credits)
This course is intended for students who have a high level of interest in the biological sciences. Students should excel at biology and enjoy examining living systems. Anatomy and Physiology 12 focuses on three big ideas: homeostasis and physiological processes, DNA processes, Gene expression and the interaction between genes and the environment, Cellular organization, and the complex interrelationships between human organ systems. This course fosters student interest in understanding by looking at the processes that define living systems, most specifically the human body. Laboratory skills are practiced in both hypothetical and practical applications. Dissection may be used to examine organ systems. It is highly recommended that student have taken either Chemistry 11 or Life Sciences 11 before registering for this course
CHEMISTRY 12 (4 credits)
Chemistry 12 extends the concepts of Chemistry 11 and helps to prepare students for post-secondary studies in the field of chemistry. This course looks at the various applications of chemical equilibrium including solubility, acids plus bases and electrochemistry. Lab work will accompany the chemical theory and quantitative aspects of the course. A strong foundation in Chemistry 11 is highly recommended.
GEOLOGY 12 (4 credits)
This inquiry-based course is for students interested in the science of the Earth - rocks, resources, and dinosaurs. It is open to all grade 11 and grade 12 students, and expands on the geology units taught in Earth Science 11. This course prepares students for university courses in Geology, Geophysics, Paleontology, Volcanology, and the oil and mining resource industry. Using a scientific approach, geological evidence is interpreted to tell the story of the history of the Earth. The following topics are covered in the course: Earth's Minerals, Rocks, and Resources, Time and the Fossil Record, Plate Tectonics and Seismology, Surface Processes and Erosion, and Planetary Geology. If you enjoy hands-on experiences, outdoor field exploration, storytelling and critical thinking, then this course is for you.
PHYSICS 12 (4 credits)
Through a combination of thought experiments, demonstrations, hands-on learning and lab experiments, this course will focus on building a student's critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will explore topics such as relative motion, the postulates of special relativity, circular motion, gravitation, electrostatics, and electromagnetism. It is encouraged that students taking Physics 12 have already successfully completed Physics 11 (or similar) course. Students that struggled in Physics 11 have historically found Physics 12 even more challenging. More information about this course can be found at: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/science/12/physics
IB Science Certificate Options
BC Ministry students may apply to study 1-3 courses for certificate. At certain post-secondary institutions students who achieve a final score of 5, 6, or 7 may receive university transfer credit (students must research the transfer credit policy of their university-of-choice).
BIOLOGY (4 credits) per year. Grades 11 & 12. Standard Level and Higher Level options)
IB Biology is a two-year course of study designed to provide students with an understanding of the important underlying biological themes through a focus on acquiring a body of factual knowledge. Four basic biological concepts run through this body of knowledge: the relationship between structure and function; the theme of universality versus diversity; the occurrence of equilibrium within living and non-living systems; and, evolution as an underlying concept for understanding life on Earth. Students will become knowledgeable about the ideas and concepts fundamental to biology and will be challenged to think about how biology and emerging biological technologies exist within a global context. Laboratory work forms an integral part of the course.
CHEMISTRY (4 credits per year. Grades 11 & 12. Standard Level and Higher Level options)
IB Chemistry is an experimental science that combines academic study with the acquisition and development of practical and investigational skills. This two-year course aims to balance the needs of a content-oriented syllabus with the development of the critical-thinking skills required by the experimental scientist. The course reflects the need to ensure that the qualifications will be met for students wishing to enter university study in the sciences; it will also develop students’ investigational skills in the use of the scientific method, involving the formation, testing and modification of a hypothesis through observation and measurement, under the controlled conditions of an experiment. The course will also allow students to develop their problem-solving and analytical skills, as well as provide opportunities for students to become more aware of the moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of using science and technology. Laboratory work forms an integral part of the course.
PHYSICS (4 credits per year. Grades 11 & 12. Standard Level and Higher Level options)
The purpose of this two-year course is to provide students with an understanding of both the theoretical and practical nature of physics and to increase facility in the use of mathematics, which is the language of physics. This course will provide students with the opportunity to explore physics as it was developed historically from about Galileo’s time to the present. A key objective is to challenge students to think about how physical principles have been applied to construct and alter the material world to suit our needs. This raises the issue of the impact of physics on society, the moral and ethical dilemmas, and the social, economic and environmental implications of the work of physicists. These concerns have become more prominent as our power over the environment has grown. Students will also explore the international context within which physics exists and examine issues from more than one side. Laboratory work forms an integral part of this course.
