The Science Program has two major divisions: Junior Science and Senior Science. 

The purpose of the Junior Science program is to teach students about the physical world, to teach them to observe it and to think about it in different ways. Students investigate their surroundings from a personal perspective. They study not only the physical characteristics of their environment, but also how the environment affects their lives and how they, in turn, can affect their environment. It is essential that citizens of a world facing such problems as energy shortage and pollution understand what scientists do and how they work in research. All the courses make extensive use of labs, projects, and field studies, where appropriate. The skills addressed by the new curriculum are questioning and predicting, planning and conducting experiments, analyzing and evaluating data, applying learnings to new situations and communicating scientific ideas to the community.

SCIENCE 8                                                                                                             MSC--08

The skills and processes of science are developed through the core competencies of communication, thinking and personal and social skills.  The core will cover material related to four big ideas:

• Life processes are performed at the cellular level.
• The behaviour of matter can be explained by scientific theories.
• Energy can be transferred as both particles and waves.
• The Earth’s geological processes can be explained by scientific theory.

In addition, emphasis is placed on laboratory skill development, critical thinking, and data analysis.

SCIENCE 9                                                                                                             MSC--09

The skills and processes of science are developed through the core competencies of communication, thinking and personal and social skills.  The core will cover material related to four big ideas:

• Cells are derived from cells.
• The electron arrangement of atoms impacts their chemical nature.
• Electricity is the flow of electrons.
• The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected.

In addition, emphasis is placed on laboratory skill development, critical thinking, and data analysis.

SCIENCE 10                                                                                                           MSC--10

The skills and processes of science are developed through the core competencies of communication, thinking and personal and social skills.  The core will cover material related to four big ideas:

• Biology: Genes are the foundation for the diversity of living things.
• Chemistry: Chemical process require energy as atoms are rearranged.
• Physics: Energy is conserved, and its transformation can affect the environment.
• Space Science: The formation of the universe can be explained by the big bang theory.

In addition, emphasis is placed on laboratory skill development, critical thinking, and data analysis.

ELL SCIENCE                                                                                                          XLDCE10SC1

Students will study scientific concepts in topics including biology, chemistry, physics and earth / space science. The emphasis will be to learn the science laboratory skills and to develop English Language skills required for grade level science courses.

While the Senior Science Program is comprised of advanced electives, bear in mind that all students must complete one Senior Science course in order to fulfill the graduation requirements. Students should carefully choose which Science 11 course(s) they take, since this dictates which Science 12 course(s) they are allowed. Requirements for graduation and post-secondary institutions must also be considered.

LIFE SCIENCES 11                                                                                                 MLFSC11

Students are introduced to a variety of biological skills and scientific processes.  This course allows the student to develop an understanding of the vast array of living organisms on the planet.  Lab work is an important aspect of this course.  The curriculum that will be studied is organized into three big ideas:

• Life is a result of interactions at the molecular and cellular levels.
• Evolution occurs at the population level.
• Organisms are grouped based on common characteristics.

Life Sciences 11 is a language-intensive course, with a large amount of new vocabulary. It is recommended that students be proficient in English before enrolling in this course.

LIFESCIENCES 11 PRE AP                                                                                    MLFSC11ENR

(See AP Section)

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 12                                                                     MATPH12

Students will continue to develop their biological skills and scientific processes.  It is strongly recommended that Life Sciences 11 precede this course.  It is also helpful to have finished Chemistry 11 or be taking it concurrently.  Students are expected to know how to use dissection and compound microscopes, conduct experiments in biology, calculate magnification and have a basic understanding of organic chemistry and body systems in animals.

In this course, students will explore cell biology, the human body (anatomy and physiology) and associated medical terms.   The three big ideas are:

• Homeostasis is maintained through physiological processes.
• Gene expression is an interaction between genes and the environment.
• Organ systems have complex interrelationships and maintain homeostasis.

AP BIOLOGY 12                                                                                                    ABIO-12

(See AP Section)

CHEMISTRY 11                                                                                                     MCH--11

Chemistry 11 has five big ideas that will be covered core topics.  One or two optional topics may be covered, depending on available time.  Approximately 20% of time will involve laboratory work.   The core topics are: 

• Matter is made of atoms and molecules
• The mole is a quantity used to measure atoms and molecules
• Matter and energy are conserved in chemical reactions
• Solubility is determined by the nature of the solute and solvent
• Organic chemistry has significant implications for human and environmental health

CHEMISTRY 11 PRE AP                                                                                       MCH--11ENR

(See AP Section)

CHEMISTRY 12                                                                                                     MCH--12

Chemistry 12 is organized around five units.  Approximately 20% of the time will involve laboratory work.  The concepts of the mole, molarity, solutions, and ions taught in Chemistry 11 are required to be successful in this course.   The five big ideas covered will be:

• Reaction rates and collision theory
• Dynamic equilibrium
• Saturated solutions are in dynamic equilibrium
• Acids and base strength depend on the degree of ionization
• Oxidation and reduction are the gain or loss of electrons

AP CHEMISTRY 12                                                                                               ACHE-12

(See AP Section)

PHYSICS 11                                                                                                           MPH--11

It is recommended that Pre-Calculus 11 precede or be taken concurrently with Physics 11.   This course allows the student to develop an understanding of the physical world in one and two dimensions.   It consists of traditional laboratory and lecture sessions integrated into a technologically enhanced science classroom.    The four big ideas covered are:

• An object’s motion can be described, predicted, and analyzed
• Forces influence the motion of an object
• Energy is found in different forms and has the ability to do work
• Mechanical waves transfer energy but not matter

AP PHYSICS 1 HONOURS 11                                                                              APHH-11

(See AP Section)

PHYSICS 12                                                                                                           MPH--12

It is recommended that Pre-Calculus 12 precede or be taken concurrently with Physics 12.  The concepts learned in Physics 11 are required to be successful in this course. This course allows the student to develop an understanding of the physical world in two and three dimensions.  This course consists of laboratory and lecture sessions and students are required to keep an inquiry laboratory journal.  The four big ideas are:

• Measurement of motion depends on frame of reference
• Forces can cause linear and circular motion
• Forces and energy interactions occur within fields
• Momentum is conserved with a closed and isolated system

Each year, students participate in the tour of the particle-accelerator at TRIUMF, UBC.  

AP PHYSICS 2 HONOURS 12                                                                              APHH-12

(See AP Section)