Science

Very few university programs require three science courses at Grade 11 & 12 level. Students will want to have a discussion with the Head of Science and their Academic Advisor when making this decision.

Students request their courses in science in the spring and are asked to select the one where they think they will have the greatest chance of being successful. The Head of Department and teachers will review the course requests in May and confirm that a reasonable choice has been made. A conversation with the student's current science teacher as well as with the Academic Advisor is encouraged.

A student with a high aptitude, interest, and level of success in a particular science discipline may wish to challenge themselves by taking an AP course. In biology and chemistry, we recommend students take the Pre-AP 11 course if they wish to take AP Chemistry or AP Biology. In physics, students start AP Physics 1 in Grade 11 and can carry on with AP Physics 2, AP Physics C Mechanics, or Physics 12. 

Environmental Science 11 is open to anyone with Science 10. There is no specific course offering for AP Environmental Science, but students taking Environmental Science 12 may opt to challenge the AP Environmental Science exam. 

Course work in Chemistry in Grade 10 is not sufficient background for success in the AP Chemistry course. Registration in AP science

courses requires a Pre-AP (Honours or Advanced) Grade 11 course in the specific subject. AP sciences require advanced background

knowledge over and above the standard Grade 11 science curriculum.

This path is not recommended because shortened science courses lack the building of all-important laboratory skills. 

In particular, we do not recommend taking a Grade 11 course in summer school or by distance education because there is insufficient time to build the necessary conceptual thinking, problem-solving skills and lab experience for successful participation and achievement in a Grade 12 course in that discipline. This is particularly evident when students take Physics 11 and wish to carry on in Physics 12 or AP Physics at SMUS the next year. For further information, contact our Head of Science, Benson Young, benson.young@smus.ca

Please contact the Head of Department for Science, Jordan Tessarolo (jordan.tessarolo@smus.ca).