SCIENCE
In today's rapid change towards higher technology in our Canadian society, science is becoming a more important and valuable subject. Educators, trades people, professionals and employers are recognizing the impact that science is having on our work force. An understanding of the basics in some sciences is not only desirable but essential in many work areas. Science at the high school level is designed to give students a basic understanding of a variety of science areas. The Grade 10 Science course is a compulsory subject designed to give students a broader comprehension of the scientific process. Our senior sciences consist of Chemistry, Physics and Biology. Although these courses are electives, a quick check of prerequisites for post-secondary courses and desirable courses for most trades will show that the sciences are very much in demand. Statistics show that Canadian students are not placing enough emphasis on science and that students who do achieve in the sciences tend to have more and better job opportunities. Thousands of people in Saskatchewan each year return to study high school sciences in order to improve their job status. With so much emphasis on the sciences in the workplace, it is more important now for students to consider taking one or more of the senior sciences.
To achieve in the senior sciences a student will be expected to see patterns in nature, be able to express and work with these patterns and learn new terms and theories dealing with these patterns. A good mathematics background will help in all of the senior sciences. High school education is not intended as job training but to help students gain a better understanding of the processes in the world around them. The sciences are an integral part of your education. Check with your Counselor or a member of the Science department for the science courses most suited for you.
SCIENCE 10 - The Science 10 curriculum is a science-technology-society-environment approach to science classes within a relevant social framework. Students are exposed to a wider range of science concepts than the traditional program, and in addition, gain skills in writing and group interaction. Units include Chemical Reactions, Sustainability of Ecosystems, Motion in our World, and Weather Dynamics.
SCIENCE 11 - A general science program designed to satisfy the grade ten science requirement and meet the needs of students who have had difficulty with Science 9 or 10. Topics considered may include Chemical Reactions, Sustainability of Ecosystems, Motion in our World, and Weather Dynamics.
SCIENCE 21 - (Prerequisite is Science 10 or 11) Science 21 is a senior science credit which will meet the Saskatchewan Department of Education's requirement for at least one science credit at the 20/30 level. It will consist of units on Physics, Biology and Chemistry. This class will not meet the entrance requirements of most post secondary schools.
BIOLOGY - the study of living things. Biology is a science which relates very closely to everyday life. Many people have pets, grow gardens, have children, go camping, wonder about heredity and struggle with values. Often students choose biology as a science credit because there is very little math involved. They should be aware however, that there is a great deal of content which involves considerable work.
BIOLOGY 20 - (Prerequisite is Science 10) Biology 20 introduces the student to the nature of biology, the use of the microscope, and the concept of theory in science. Other units include:
Ecological organization where the relationship among living things and environment are considered.
diversity of life in which an attempt is made to understand the variety of life forms and
agricultural botany, in which Saskatchewan biogeography, plant systems and growth and the relationship of agriculture to the environment are studied.
BIOLOGY 30 - (Prerequisite is Biology 20/Chem 20 is an asset) Biology 30 is a rigorous course covering many topics that will be new information for students. The course begins with a study of bio-chemicals, then structures and functions of cells. Protein synthesis, cell cycle, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, genetics, evolution and animal systems are covered. The course is content laden with an emphasis on cell biology and being able to understand how controlling cellular activities ultimately controls all aspects of biology. This course will solidify some core areas of biology that will be an asset in post-secondary classes.
CHEMISTRY 20 - (Prerequisite is Science 10) We start this section in chemistry with a review of mathematics, the metric system, and significant figures. From there, we dive straight into atoms and molecules, and learn about the periodic table. After this we look at chemical reactions, the mole (no, not the animal), and stoichiometry (yes, it is as fun as it sounds.) Lastly, we look at organic chemistry, and perhaps a bit of consumer chemistry. All throughout the semester, we are doing labs relating to the course material. We look at labs on chemical reactions, perfumes, making our own aspirin, and measuring atoms by rolling marbles. The course contains a moderate amount of mathematics, so you should have a good background in math.
CHEMISTRY 30- (Prerequisite is Chemistry 20) This is a more in-depth study of chemical reactions, with a multitude of labs to support our findings throughout the semester. The topics covered are:
i. Rates of Reactions
ii. Heats of Reactions
iii. Acids & Bases (Acid rain, etc.)
iv. Oxidation-Reduction and Electrochemistry (where you'll learn everything you wanted to know about batteries and electroplating)
v. Equilibrium and Solubility
vi. Solutions
PHYSICS - The study of matter and energy. We will explore how Physics answers the fundamental question of the universe – ‘Why’. Physics relies heavily on experiments and these are used extensively in the class to develop concepts. These concepts are relatively simple, however, the mathematics used in the development of these concepts can be difficult. Students should therefore have strong algebra skills, especially in the areas of graphing and problem solving. Physics is a required or preferred subject for entry into many areas of post secondary education and high paying jobs in industry.
PHYSICS 20 - (Prerequisite is Science 10) The major theme of Physics 20 is waves and energy transfer. This includes applications in light, sound and heat. Many skills necessary for Physics 30 are developed in this course. Students should be registered in Foundations/Math 20 OR Pre-Calculus 20 in the same year they take Physics 20.
PHYSICS 30 - (Prerequisite is Physics 20) The major units of study in Physics 30 are the study of motion, electricity and nuclear and atomic physics. The content of Physics 30 does not rely heavily on the physical science concepts of physics, however, the mathematical and problem solving skills learned in Physics 20 are essential for successful completion of this course. It is strongly recommended that students have a minimum average of 65% in Physics 20 and Foundations/Math 20 OR Pre-Calculus 20 prior to taking Physics 30.