Science courses at Centennial are interactive and engaging. These courses combine practical lab activities with theoretical content knowledge. All classes help students develop a fundamental understanding of science concepts, numeracy skills and improve student literacy.
Students that are interested in pursuing a university or college program in a science related field are strongly encouraged to take all three sciences in grade 11 and 12 (Physics, Chemistry and Biology).
SNC1W – SCIENCE, GRADE 9 - DE-STREAMED
This course enables students to develop their understanding of concepts related to biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science and to relate science to technology, society, and the environment. Throughout the course, students will develop and refine their STEM skills as they use scientific research, scientific experimentation, and engineering design processes to investigate concepts and apply their knowledge in situations that are relevant to their lives and communities. Students will continue to develop transferable skills as they become scientifically literate global citizens. Prerequisite: None
SNC1L – SCIENCE, GRADE 9 - LOCALLY DEVELOPED
This course emphasizes reinforcing and strengthening science-related knowledge, including scientific enquiry, critical thinking, and the relationship between science, society, and the environment, to prepare students for success in everyday life and the workplace. Students explore a range of topics, including science in daily life, properties of common materials, interactions and issues of the environment, and electrical circuits. Students have the opportunity to extend mathematical and scientific process skills and to continue developing their skills in reading, writing, and oral language through relevant and practical science activities.
SNC2D – SCIENCE, GRADE 10 - ACADEMIC
This course enables students to enhance their understanding of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science and physics; and to the interrelationships between science, technology, society and the environment. Students are also given opportunities to further develop their scientific investigation skills. Students will plan and conduct investigations and develop their understanding of scientific theories related to the connections between cells and systems in animals and plants; chemical reactions, with a particular focus on acid-base reactions; forces that affect climate and climate change; and the interaction of light and matter. Prerequisite: SNC1W
SNC2P – SCIENCE, GRADE 10 – APPLIED
This course enables students to develop a deeper understanding of concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science and physics; and to apply their knowledge of science in real-world situations. Students are given opportunities to develop further practical skills in scientific investigation. Students will plan and conduct investigations into everyday problems and issues related to human cells and body systems; chemical reactions, factors affecting climate change; and the interaction of light and matter. Prerequisite: SNC1W
SNC2L – SCIENCE, GRADE 10 – LOCALLY DEVELOPED
This course emphasizes reinforcing and strengthening science-related knowledge and skills, including scientific enquiry, critical thinking, and the environmental impact of science and technology, to prepare students for success in everyday life and in the workplace. Students explore a range of topics including science in the media, interactions of common materials, life-sustaining processes in organisms, and the interaction of light and matter. Students have the opportunity to extend scientific process skills and to continue developing their skills in reading, writing, and oral language through relevant and practical science activities.
SBI3U – BIOLOGY, GRADE 11 – UNIVERSITY
This course furthers students’ understanding of the processes that occur in biological systems. Students will study theory and conduct investigations in the areas of biodiversity; evolution; genetic processes; the structure and function of animals; and the anatomy, growth, and function of plants. The course focuses on the theoretical aspects of the topics under study, and helps students refine skills related to scientific investigation. It is recommended that students have a mark of at least 70% in SNC2D. Prerequisite: SNC2D
SBI3C – BIOLOGY, GRADE 11 – COLLEGE
This course is offered in person and online. This course focuses on the processes that occur in biological systems. Students will learn concepts and theories as they conduct investigations in the areas of cellular biology, microbiology, genetics, the anatomy of mammals, and the plants and their role in the natural environment. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of concepts and skills needed for further study in the various branches of life sciences and related fields Prerequisite: SNC2D or SNC2P
SCH3U – CHEMISTRY, GRADE 11 – UNIVERSITY
This course is offered in person and online. This course enables students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the study of the properties of chemicals and chemical bonds; chemical reactions and quantitative relationships in those reactions; solutions and solubility; and atmospheric chemistry and the behaviour of gases. Students will further develop their analytical sills and investigate the qualitative and quantitative properties of matter, as well as the impact of some common chemical reactions on society and the environment. It is recommended that students have a mark of at least 70% in SNC2D. Prerequisite: SNC2D
SPH3U – PHYSICS, GRADE 11 – UNIVERSITY
This course is offered in person and online. This course develops students’ understanding of the basic concepts of physics. Students will explore kinematics, with an emphasis on linear motion; different kinds of forces; energy transformations; the properties of mechanical waves and sound; and electricity and magnetism. They will enhance their scientific investigation skills as they test laws of physics. In addition, they will analyze the interrelationships between physics and technology, and consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment. It is recommended that students have a mark of at least 70% in SNC2D. Prerequisite: SNC2D
SVN3E – SCIENCE, GRADE 11 – WORKPLACE
This course is offered in person and online. This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge of and skills relating to environmental science that will help them succeed in work and life after secondary school. Students will explore a range of topics, including the impact of human activities on the environment; human health and the environment; energy conservation; resource science and management; and safety and environmental responsibility in the workplace. Emphasis is placed on relevant, practical applications and current topics in environmental science, with attention to the refinement of students’ literacy and mathematical literacy skills as well as the development of their scientific and environmental literacy. Prerequisite: SNC 1D, SNC 1P or SNC1L
SBI4U – BIOLOGY, GRADE 12 – UNIVERSITY
This course is offered in person and online. This course provides students with the opportunity for in-depth study of the concepts and processes that occur in the biological systems. Students will study theory and conduct investigations in the areas of biochemistry, metabolic processes, molecular genetics, homoeostasis, and population dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on achievement of the detailed knowledge and refined skills needed for further study in various branches of the life sciences and related fields. It is recommended that students have a mark of at least 70% in SBI3U. Prerequisite: SBI3U
SCH4U – CHEMISTRY, GRADE 12 – UNIVERSITY
This course is offered in person and online. This course enables students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the study of organic chemistry, the structure and properties of matter, energy changes and rates of reaction, equilibrium in chemical systems, and electrochemistry. Students will further develop problem solving and investigation skills as they investigate chemical processes, and will refine their ability to communicate scientific information. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of chemistry in everyday life and on evaluating the impact of chemical technology on the environment. It is recommended that students have a mark of at least 70% in SCH3U. Prerequisite: SCH3U
SCH4C – CHEMISTRY, GRADE 12 – COLLEGE
This course is offered in person and online. This course enables students to develop an understanding of chemistry through the study of matter and qualitative analysis, organic chemistry and electrochemistry, chemical calculations, and chemistry as it relates to the environment. Students will use a variety of laboratory techniques, develop skills in data collection and scientific analysis, and communicate scientific information using appropriate terminology. Emphasis will be placed on the role of chemistry in daily life and in the effects of technological applications and processes on society and the environment. Prerequisite: SNC2D or SNC2P
SES4U – EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE, GRADE 12 – UNIVERSITY
This course is offered online only. This course develops students’ understanding of Earth and its place in the universe. Students will investigate the properties of and forces in the universe and solar system and analyse techniques scientists use to generate knowledge about them. Students will closely examine the materials of Earth, its internal and surficial processes, and its geological history, and will learn how Earth’s systems interact and how they have changed over time. Throughout the course, students will learn how these forces, processes, and materials affect their daily lives. The course draws on biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics in its consideration of geological and astronomical processes that can be observed directly or inferred from other evidence. Prerequisite: SNC2D
SPH4U – PHYSICS, GRADE 12 – UNIVERSITY
This course is offered in person and online. This course enables students to deepen their understanding of physics concepts and theories. Students will continue their exploration of energy transformations, and the forces that affect motion, and will investigate electrical, gravitational, and magnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. Students will also explore the wave nature of light, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. They will further develop their scientific investigation skills, learning, for example, how to analyze, qualitatively and quantitatively, data relating to a variety of physics concepts and principles. Students will also consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment. It is recommended that students have a mark of at least 70% in SPH3U. Prerequisite: SPH3U
SPH4C – PHYSICS, GRADE 12 - COLLEGE
This course is offered in person and online. This course develops students’ understanding of the basic concepts of physics. Students will explore these concepts with respect to motion; mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, energy transformation, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems; and the operation of commonly used tools and machines. They will develop scientific-enquiry skills as they test laws of physics and solve both assigned problems and those emerging from their investigations. Students will also consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment. This course is available to grade 11 or 12 students. Prerequisite: SNC2D or SNC2P
SNC4E - SCIENCE, GRADE 12 - WORKPLACE
This course is offered online only. This course provides students with the science-related knowledge and skills they need to help them make informed decisions in the workplace and in their personal lives. Students will explore a range of topics, including materials and safety; electrical circuits; micro-organisms; the human immune system and defenses against disease; and the impact of humans on the environment. Emphasis is placed on relating these topics directly to students’ experiences both in the world of work and in daily life. Recommended for students in their fourth year in high school.
Prerequisite: Science, Grade 9, Applied, or Locally Developed.