5 credits
Science 10 is an introductory course designed to provide a means of showing the connections among science, technology and society (STS). Students will be introduced to the concepts of chemistry, physics and biology, and will have a chance to explore how these science disciplines relate to energy and the environment.
The units of study include:
- Energy and matter in chemical change
- Energy flow in technological systems
- Cycling of matter in living systems
- Energy flow in global systems
Unit 1: Biology
Study of population development in various niches, the role that biodiversity plays in healthy ecosystems; evolutionary models of life are compared and contrasted.
Unit 2: Physics
Studies the kinematics of motion as well as the concepts of momentum and impulse as applied to braking and vehicle impacts.
Unit 3: Chemistry Explores the functioning of voltaic cells (batteries) and the use of electrolytic cells for industry.
Unit 4: Earth science
Students explore the various methods scientists use to study the deep-time history of the earth such as plate tectonics and radioactive dating.
Unit 1: Biology
Covers the functioning of the heart and circulatory system, as well as an introduction to genetics.
Unit 2: Chemistry
Students learn about acid/base and organic chemistry and the impact that has on health and the environment.
Unit 3: Physics
Principles of electromagnetism and applications to technology are investigated first. The second part is an introduction to stellar astronomy using spectroscopy and gravitational effects.
Unit 4: Production of Energy
Explores the reasons we use the energy production methods (fossil fuel, nuclear, green technologies) that we currently do. Compares the energy output of each technology and the underlying mechanisms thereof.
Science 14 covers:
- Investigating properties of matter
- energy transfer technologies
- from life to lifestyle
- matter and energy in the biosphere
The course consists of four modules, four unit exams and no final.
Science 24 covers:
- Matter and chemical change
- Energy transformations
- Disease defence and human health
- Safety in transportation
The course consists of four modules, four unit exams and no final.
5 credits
Biology 20 students examine the interactions of living systems to better understand the constant flow of energy and the cycling of matter. Specifically, students explore the functioning of the human body and the mechanisms that work to maintain balance in organisms, in ecosystems and in the biosphere.
Topics covered:
- Energy transfer in the biosphere
- Cycles of matter
- Ecosystems and their diversity
- Mechanisms of population change
- Photosynthesis and cellular respiration
- Digestion and human health
- Respiration system, circulation and immunity
- Renal system and the muscular system
Prerequisite: Science 10
5 credits
Biology 30 students will examine how human systems sense and respond to the environment. They explore human reproduction and development at the cellular level and at the organism level. Students will explore the basic structure and role of DNA and investigate the inheritance of traits in individuals and populations. They will analyze the changes in populations resulting from natural and human-induced changes in the environment and discover that living systems are dynamic.
Topics covered:
- The nervous system and sensory reception
- The endocrine system and hormones
- Human reproductive systems
- Pregnancy and fetal development
- The cell cycle
- Genetics and inheritance
- DNA structure and replication
- Population genetics
Prerequisite: Biology 20
5 credits
How do atoms combine to create matter? Students will explore matter and how it changes in order to understand the natural world. They will investigate the chemical properties of gases and solutions and apply their understanding of chemical bonds to explain the characteristics of ionic and molecular compounds. Students use mathematical processes to study the quantitative relationships in chemical reactions and develop laboratory skills required for scientific inquiry.
Topics covered:
- Elements and compounds
- Chemical reactions
- Understanding chemical compounds
- Gases
- Nature and properties of solutions
- Acids and bases
- Stoichiometry
- Chemical analysis
Prerequisite: Science 10
5 credits
Chemistry 30 students will enhance their scientific literacy by developing an understanding of the nature of science and technology and the practical application of science in the real world.
The units of study include:
- Thermochemical changes
- Electrochemical changes
- Organic chemistry
- Equilibrium, acids and bases
Prerequisite: Chemistry 20
Part I: Kinematics
Uses the concepts of displacement, velocity, acceleration and time to study the behaviour of bodies in motion, including the effects of gravity on projectiles.
Part II: Dynamics
Explores Newton's laws of motion and forces, as well as the conservation of energy as a universal principle.
Part III: Circular motion
Studies the concepts of centripetal acceleration and its applications, such as planetary and satellite motion and driving on curved surfaces.
Part IV: Oscillations and mechanical waves
Studies the motion of mechanical waves through various media, such as the propagation of sound waves and elastic body waves.
Unit 1: Momentum
Students learn to apply the principles of momentum and impulse to 1D & 2D collisions, as well as rocket propulsion and explosions.
Unit 2: Electrical fields
Introduces the concept of vector fields as a means to influence objects at a distance. Electric fields and related phenomena are explored.
Unit 3: Magnetism
Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetic induction are studied and applied to various technologies such as generators (alternators) and motors.
Unit 4: EMR
The various characteristics of electromagnetic waves are studied and the quantum nature of light is introduced to explain various other phenomena such as stellar spectroscopy.
Unit 5: Quantum mechanics
The full weirdness of the quantum revolution peaks in this unit as students delve into particle-wave duality of matter and quantum uncertainty.