Biology 20 (5 credits) 

Prerequisite:  Science 10 (Recommended 65% or higher with strong reading comprehension skills) 

Biology 20 is an academic course which involves the study of life and the factors affecting it.  There are four themes to the course: photosynthesis & cellular respiration, energy & matter exchange in the biosphere, ecosystems & population change, and human systems.  Each theme investigates a different aspect of life on earth focusing on the interactions of living and non-living components of biological systems.

Biology 30 (5 credits) 

Prerequisite: Biology 20 (Recommended 65% or higher with strong reading comprehension skills) 

Biology 30 is an academic course that will lead students to explore the interactions of living systems with one another and their environment.  Focus includes the homeostatic mechanisms of the nervous and endocrine systems in regards to how our body responds to internal and external stimuli, the reproductive system and how the genes are transmitted to their offspring, and in turn how the genes themselves are determined and expressed.  Lastly, students explore many of the relationships within nature and how to mathematically quantify evolution. This course is intended for students pursing a science based post-secondary education.

Chemistry 20 (5 credits)  

Prerequisite: Science 10 (Recommend 65% or higher and enrolment in Math 20-1) 

Chemistry 20 is intended for students who have successfully completed Science 10 and plan to continue to Chemistry 30 with the goal of taking science at a post-secondary institution.  Math skills and well-developed study skills are essential in being successful in this course.  Units of study include bonding, gas laws, acids and bases as well as stoichiometry.

Chemistry 30 (5 credits) 

Prerequisite: Chemistry 20 (Recommended 65% or higher & enrolment in Math 20-1/30 –1) 

The themes of change, energy, and systems are central in Chemistry 30. Students study energy as it relates to chemical changes, quantify the energy involved in thermochemical systems, and consider the various aspects of energy use on society. Students also study electrochemical change and analyze the matter and energy changes within a system. In the introduction to organic chemistry, students learn about common organic compounds and describe their properties and reactions. The significance of organic chemistry, in the context of technological applications and quality of life, is explored. The concept that chemical change eventually attains equilibrium is developed followed by a focus on the quantitative treatment of reaction systems involving acid-base solutions. This course is intended for students pursing a science based post-secondary education. 

Physics 20 (5 credits) 

Prerequisite:  Must have 70% in Math 10C and 65% or higher in Science 10

Physics 20 is a specialized academic course that helps students start to explore and apply fundamental concepts and skills from areas of kinematics, dynamics, work/energy, simple harmonic motion, and mechanical waves. Physics 20 is a prerequisite for Physics 30.

Physics 30 (5 credits) 

Prerequisite:  Physics 20 (Recommended 65% or higher and enrolment in Math 20-1/30 –1) 

Physics 30 intends to educate students about the nature of science and technology. Focus is on problem solving, developing an understanding of the limitations of the physical sciences, and of technology in a societal context. Topics covered include momentum and impulse, forces and fields, electromagnetic radiation, and atomic physics!

AP Science at Father Lacombe

Science 10AP (5 credits)

Prerequisite:  75% or greater in Science 9

Science 10H (5 credits) is a Pre-AP class.  It is composed of four units; Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Environmental Studies.  The grade 10 Science program is designed as a foundation course to prepare students to be successful in one or more of Chemistry 20 AP, Biology 20 AP and/or Physics 20 AP.

Assessment that is done in Science 10H is identical to that which takes place within the regular Science 10 program.  This is to ensure that student marks are not adversely affected as a result of taking Advanced Placement.  Enrichment is done through inquiry labs.

AP Biology Courses

Biology 20 AP (5 Credits)

Biology 30 AP (5 Credits)

Biology 35 AP (3 credits)

Prerequisite:  70% or greater in Science 10H

The AP Biology course is an introductory college-level biology course.  Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions.

AP Biology is structured around four "big ideas" that emphasize a model of instruction promoting enduring, conceptual understandings and the content that supports them.  This approach will enable students to spend less time on factual recall and more time on inquiry-based learning of essential concepts and will help them develop the reasoning skills necessary to engage in science practices, such as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across domains.

By maintaining an average of 70% or greater in Science 10H, students may continue in the Biology AP program consisting of three sequential courses: Biology 20 AP, Biology 30 AP, and Biology 35 AP.  

Biology 20AP (5 credits) is offered in the second (winter) semester and is usually taken by AP students in grade 10. ln Grade 11, students will enroll in both Biology 30AP (5 credits) and Biology 35AP for (3 credits).  By January, students are prepared to write the Alberta Diploma Examination exam and by May, the AP EXAM.

AP Chemistry Courses

Chemistry 20 AP (5 Credits)

Chemistry 30 AP (5 Credits)

Chemistry 35 AP (3 Credits)

Prerequisite:  70% or greater in Science 10H

The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry.  Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry based investigations, as they explore content such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.  The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year.

AP Chemistry offers a laboratory-intensive program, in which students are encouraged to think critically and analyze data and observations from scientific, technological, social, and environmental perspectives.  Skill-development emphasizes using chemical calculations and qualitative evidence to support conclusions.  Students are also instructed in the proper and efficient use of lab equipment, accurate recording of data, and the communication of chemical study and understanding in a formal lab report.

Students who earn a mark of 70% or greater in Science 10H may register in Chemistry 20AP (5 credits) in Grade 11.  ln Grade 12, students enroll in both Chemistry 30AP (5 credits) and Chemistry 35AP for (3 credits).  By January, students are prepared to write the Alberta Diploma Examination, and in June, the AP EXAM.

AP Physics Courses

Physics 20 AP (5 Credits)

Physics 30 AP (5 Credits)

Prerequisite:  70% or greater in Science 10H

AP Physics is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics courses. Laboratory work emphasizes inquiry-based investigations which will require students to ask questions, make observations and predictions, design experiments, analyze data, and construct arguments in a collaborative setting.

The Physics 20/30 Program of Studies in Alberta is a high standard curriculum.  Students in this program face the challenges of a number of first year post-secondary physics topics.  The AP Physics program works to enrich these topics and deliver the components required by most universities.  Physics students are given the option of a couple of AP exams that potentially award them credit for an array of first year Physics courses and prepare them for the vigour and depth of post-secondary studies.

Students who earn a mark of 70% or greater in Science 10H may register in Physics 20AP.  In grade 12, students enroll in Physics 30AP.  By May, students will be prepared to write the AP EXAM and by June, the Alberta Diploma Examination.