Course description: 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 structure of plants and their role in the natural environment. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of concepts, and on the skills needed for further study in various branches of the life sciences and related fields. 

Prerequisite: SNC2D

Units:

• Cellular Biology

• Microbiology

• Genetics

• Anatomy of Mammals

• Plants in the Natural Environment

Course description: 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. 

Prerequisite: SNC2D

Units:

• Genetic Processes

• Evolution

• Diversity of Living Things

• Plants: Anatomy, Growth and Functions 

• Animals: Structures and Functions

Course Outline: Click here

Course description: Welcome to the Chemistry 11 course. We will build a sound foundation of chemical understanding through class activities, lab work, projects & applications to the real world.  Course notes (available below) and the Student Workbook support your study with carefully chosen exercises to test and further your knowledge.  The course emphasizes collaborative group-based learning. An emphasis is placed on effective problem solving which includes methods of visualizing chemical reactions. The prerequisite for this course is grade 10 Academic Science (SNC2D). We strongly recommend a final mark of 75% or above in grade 10 Science to give you the necessary skills to be successful in a senior science course.

Prerequisite: SNC2D

Units:

• Matter, Chemical Trends, and Chemical bonding: What are atoms composed of?  How do they bond?  How is the Periodic table organized?

• Chemical Reactions: What are the types of reactions? How can we predict products?

• Quantities in Chemical Reactions: What is a mole? How can we calculate amounts of reactants and products?

• Solutions and Solubility: What is an acid and base? How is pH calculated? 

• Gases and Atmospheric Chemistry: How do we visualize and predict behaviour of gases?

Course notes: Click here

• Course description: This course enables students to develop an understanding of chemistry through the study of matter and qualitative analysis, organic chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical calculations, and chemistry as it relates to the quality of 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 the effects of technological applications and processes on society and the environment. 

• Prerequisite: SNC2D

• Units:

  • Matter and Qualitative Analysis 

  • Organic Chemistry 

  • Electrochemistry 

  • Chemical Calculations

  • Chemistry in the Environment 

Course description: 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 their scientific investigation 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. 

Prerequisite: SNC2D

Units:

• Motion and Its Applications 

• Mechanical Systems 

• Electricity and Magnetism 

• Energy Transformations 

• Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems 

Course description: This course provides students with the opportunity for in-depth study of the concepts and processes that occur in biological systems. Students will study theory and conduct investigations in the areas of biochemistry, metabolic processes, molecular genetics, homeostasis, and population dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on the achievement of detailed knowledge and the refinement of skills needed for further study in various branches of the life sciences and related fields. 

Prerequisite: SBI3U

Units:

• Biochemistry

• Metabolic Processes

• Molecular Genetics

• Homeostasis

Course Outline: Click here

Course description: This course enables students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the study of organic chemistry, the structure & properties of matter, energy changes & rates of reaction, equilibrium in chemical systems, & electrochemistry.  Students will further develop their problem solving & investigation skills as they investigate chemical processes, & will refine their ability to communicate scientific information.  Emphasis will be placed on the importance of chemistry in everyday life & on evaluating the impact of chemical technology on the environment.

Prerequisite: SCH3U

Units

• Structure & Properties: We look at expanding what you know about atomic theory...called Quantum Mechanics

• Energy Changes & Rates of Reaction: We look at how to determine how much energy is involved in chemical reactions & physical processes, how to manipulate the speed of a reaction,  how each affects the reaction the way that it does

• Chemical Systems & Equilibrium: We look at more into gas systems & acid-base systems

• Electrochemistry: We look more at the metal & non-metal activity series as it applies to batteries

• Organic Chemistry: We look at naming, drawing, properties of organic compounds.  We also look at the different types of reactions that can occur with organic compounds

FAQs

• Q: Is there a lot of memorization in this course?

  • A: There is some, but we focus on EXPLAINING the world around us, as opposed to memorizing

• Q: What is the course average?

  • A: It varies from year to year, but usually 80 to 85%

• Q: What is the top mark in SCH4U over the years?

  • A: The highest mark was a 99%, which was earned a few years ago.  

• Q: Is there homework in this course?

  • A: Yes!  Expect about 30 to 45 min of homework per class.  Most of this time will be spent looking at course notes & homework questions.

• Q: What are the projects in this course?

  • A: You have one building project.  You may have an additional project.

• Q: Can I use this course in my “top 6”?

  • A: It depends on the college/university program you want to study.  Most of the time SCH4U is going to be one of your top 6.  

• Q: I didn’t do that well in Grade 11 Chemistry, will I be able to get a good mark in Grade 12?

  • A: Yes it is possible to do much better in grade 12 than in grade 11.  There is some overlap between courses, but the background information from grade 11 will be reviewed before we move onto new material.  However, if you did not that that well in grade 11, you will need to work a little harder than someone who did well in grade 11.

Course Outline: Click here

Course description: This course develops students’ understanding of Earth & its place in the universe.  Students will investigate the properties of & forces in the universe & solar system & analyse techniques scientists use to generate knowledge about them.  Students will closely examine the materials of Earth, its internal & surficial processes, & its geological history, & will learn how Earth’s systems interact & how they have changed over time.  Throughout the course, students will learn how these forces, processes, & materials affect their daily lives.  The course draws on biology, chemistry, physics, & mathematics in its consideration of geological & astronomical processes that can be observed directly or inferred from other evidence.

Prerequisite: SNC2D

Units

• Earth Materials: We look at rock types:  igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary.  We look at where to find them, how to classify/distinguish between them and we look at resources & how we get them

• Earth History: We look at how to determine the age of rocks (relative & actual), how the Earth has changed over the years, how the different chunks of time over the Earth & why it is broken up that way

• Earth Processes: We look at geologic processes that occur around the world (volcanism, earthquakes, glaciation, plate tectonics, etc), how these processes change the world

• Astronomy: We look at stars & what experimental data is needed to know what we know about them (distance, speed, color, temperature, lifespan, location, etc.)

• Planetary Science: We look at classifying objects in the solar system, the formation of the solar system.  We also look at where in the solar system we can live on & where life could potentially be found, and what scientists have done to explore space

FAQs:

• Q: What will you be doing in this course? 

  • A: numerous activities & labs, assignments & presentations, “study notes”, 2 projects, tests, exam

• Q: Is there a lot of memorization in this course?

  • A: There is some, but we focus on EXPLAINING the world around us, as opposed to memorizing

• Q: I am not good at memorizing.  Will that be a problem?

  • A: No, not at all.  This course is about explaining the world (& universe) around us, not about memorizing.

• Q: What is the course average?

  • A: It varies from year to year, but usually 80 to 85%

• Q: What is the top mark in SES over the years?

  • A: The highest mark was a 99%, which was earned a few years ago.  Last semester the highest mark was 96%

• Q: Is there a lot of work in this course?

  • A: Yes, there is a lot of work to do in this course, but they are all designed to be completed in a short amount of time, such as one class period.  

• Q: Is there homework in this course?

  • A: No, not really.  Once in a while you may have some work to do, but most days there is no homework.

• Q: What are the projects in this course?

  • A: It varies from year to year, but usually it is a building project & a research/essay.

• Q: Can I use this course in my “top 6”?

  • A: It depends on the college/university program you want to study.  You can use it in your top 6, but no program exclusively needs this course.

• Q: I never took Biology, Chemistry or Physics.  Will I be ok?

  • A: Yes, you will be fine.  One year, the highest mark in SES went to a student who only took Grade 10 Science!  Any related material in the other sciences will be explained when needed.

Course Outline: Click here

Course description: Welcome to the wonderful world of physics! SPH3U is an introduction to the world of physics and a prerequisite for the grade 12 course, SPH4U. This course is designed according to the principles of Physics Education Research which clearly demonstrate the power of learning through inquiry in a collaborative group format. Major Canadian and American universities (U of T, McGill, McMaster, MIT, Harvard, Stanford and more) are transforming their introductory physics courses by reducing or eliminating traditional lectures and replacing them with engaging activities that have a deep conceptual and practical focus.  

Prerequisite: SPH3U

Units:

• Motion

• Forces

• Energy and Momentum

• Special Relativity

• Fields

Course Handbook:  Click here.

**NEW**FAQ from the course fair: Click here.