The Science department provides a spectrum of courses to meet the varied interests of all students. It is the focus of the department to provide each science student with the basic science concepts and the skills necessary for scientific inquiry and critical thinking. Each course provides a strong foundation and preparation for further study either at the grade 12 level or at a post-secondary institution. Many careers are open to those with knowledge of the sciences. To explore your opportunities, visit the Work Experience Programs pages.

Science 8 is a required BC course touching on 4 main science areas. Topics of study include: cells as living things, immune system, optics (mirrors, lenses and light); chemistry (types of reactions, atomic theory and introduction to periodic table); and earth science (plate tectonics). Science 8 works to improve the basic scientific knowledge of Grade 8 students and help them begin to make connections between topics. It will also provide opportunities for students to develop and gather evidence of their core and curricular competencies.

Science 9 is a required BC course. Students in this course will use scientific processes and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for scientific literacy. The topics of study include reproduction, atoms and compounds, electricity, and earth’s spheres. Interwoven into each of these units will be opportunities for students to develop and gather evidence of their core and curricular competencies. A final scientific literacy assessment will be included.

Science 10 is a required BC course. This general course examines genetics, chemical processes, energy transformations, and the formation of the universe. Students will continue developing the skills of scientific inquiry and critical thinking. This is also an opportunity for students to investigate the areas of science they may wish to pursue in grades 11 and 12. Students may be evaluated on a combination of in-class assignments, projects, lab activities, quizzes, tests, and a final exam. Science 10 will also provide opportunities for students to develop and gather evidence of their core and curricular competencies. Students may choose Connections Cohort Science 10

This course involves the study of the classification of matter, chemical formulas, chemical reactions, solution chemistry, atomic theory, and organic chemistry. There will be an emphasis on understanding specific concepts and applying these to solve word problems. Strong math and problem solving skills are essential. Course content includes calculations and theory to solve word problems and hands-on practical lab work. This is an elective course.

This course includes Scientific method, microbiology, evolution, plant and animal biology, classification & ecology. This is a survey course of the kingdoms of living things and students are required to learn and apply a great many biological terms and concepts. It is expected that students will have to review notes on a regular basis. This is not a textbook oriented course. Regular attendance is essential as many of the class labs and activities cannot be completed at a later date. This is an elective course.

This course will introduce concepts of motion, forces, momentum energy, waves, and optics. There will be an emphasis on understanding specific concepts and applying these to solve word problems. Strong reading, math and problem solving skills are essential. It is strongly recommended that a mark of 65% or better in Foundations of Math and Pre-Calculus 10 be achieved before taking this course. Course content includes calculations, theory and practical applications. This is an elective course.

In Science for Citizens, students will explore scientific concepts which impact our lives at home, in the workplace, and in the natural environment. Course content areas will include Scientific Method, Workplace Safety & Science, Transportation, Manufacturing, Construction, Chemical Engineering and Ethics & Minorities in Science. Where possible, connections will be made to technology and its application in the field of science. Science for Citizens provides students with their senior science credits required for graduation, but may not meet requirements for university/college science programs. Recommended for those who need to fulfill their senior science requirement.

This advanced course covers human biology from the chemical to the systems level. Topics covered are DNA, the cell and cellular processes, digestion, circulation, respiration, and reproduction. Students are required to learn and apply a considerable amount of course material related to biological terms and concepts. This course also emphasizes the important skills of reading, note taking, understanding diagrams, memorizing, and critical thinking. Students must be prepared to invest time to master the course material. This is an elective course.

In this advanced course students will be given the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills. It is intended to be a more specialized course than the general course presented in Chemistry 11. The problem work will be more advanced than in previous years and a greater proportion of time is spent on theory. The core content consists of reaction kinetics, dynamic equilibrium, solubility equilibria, acids, bases and salts and electrochemistry. This is an elective course.

This course will further examine topics in motion, forces, equilibrium, momentum and energy. It will introduce the concept of vectors to deal with two-dimensional analysis. Topics such as electrostatics, electric circuits, magnetic fields and electro-magnetic induction may be introduced if time permits. Physics 12 is intended to be a more specialized course than the general course presented in Physics 11. The problem work will be more advanced than in the previous year and a greater proportion of time is spent on theory. Exceptional math skills in trigonometry, graphing and problem solving are essential. It is strongly recommended that a mark of 65% or better in Foundations of Math 11 or Pre-Calculus Math 11 be achieved before taking this course. This is an elective course.