Sciences

W.J.Mouat's Science Department offers a broad range of courses including Science 9/10, Biology 11/12, Chemistry 11/12, Physics 11/12, Earth Science 11, Geology 12, Science and Technology 11, and a Chemistry/Biology University Preparation course.

The Science Department offers an honors program for Science 9 and 10 representing an enrichment philosophy.

We take pride in our high participation rates at the senior science levels while maintaining strong provincial exam results!

Science 9 (SC9)
Science 9 is an exploration and activity-oriented course. Students study the physical world in a laboratory setting. Making observations and arriving at suitable conclusions are stressed in the experimental laboratory reports. Projects and lab activities are used whenever possible. The major topics include: a) Biology - cellular reproduction including mitosis and meiosis, b) Chemistry - atomic theory, chemical formulas, reactions and writing reaction equations, c) Physics - Static charge, electricity, circuits and power, d) Space Science - Stars, universe, measuring distances and space travel. Each section will last approximately one quarter of the semester.

Science 9 Honours (SC9H)
The material covered will be the same as in Science 9 (see SC9 course description above) with a greater emphasis placed on critical thinking skills, process skills and enrichment. The curriculum will be covered faster allowing time for working on laboratory skills, laboratory report writing, experimental design, special projects and computer based assignments. The philosophy of this course is an enrichment focus. The students will gain a stronger understanding in the foundations of science appropriate for the age level. At the end of the course, a student will be granted a percentage boost (up to 5%) on their final grade based on the quality of their special project. Space in this course is limited.
Criteria:
• minimum 86% average in SC 8
• recommendation from SC 8 teacher
• willingness to pursue science activities beyond the prescribed learning outcomes of the curriculum.

Science 10 (SC10)
There is a provincial exam at the end of this course that is worth 20% of the final mark.
Science 10 is a continuation of the concepts studied in Science 9. The material is more concept-oriented and requires mathematical calculations and problem-solving approaches. Laboratory work and report writing are further developed. The major topics include: A)  Chemistry - atomic theory, formulas, and writing and balancing chemical equations, radioactivity; B)  Biology - Sustainability of Ecosystems; C)  Physics - motion and vectors; D)  Earth Science - Energy transfer in natural systems and plate tectonics.

Science 10 Honours (SC10H)
There is a provincial exam at the end of this course that is worth 20% of the final mark.
A continuation of concepts within Science 9. The material covered will be the same as in Science 10 with an emphasis placed on critical thinking skills, process skills and enrichment. The curriculum will be covered faster allowing for more time spent on laboratory skills, laboratory report writing, experimental design, special projects and computer based assignments!!! At the end of the course, a student may be granted a 0-5% boost on their final grade depending on the quality of honors work completed. Space in this course is limited. Criteria:
• minimum 80% average in SC9
• recommendation from SC9 teacher
• willingness to pursue science activities beyond the prescribed learning outcomes of the curriculum.

Biology 11 (BI11)
Prerequisite: SC 10 with a C+
Biology is a scientific discipline that studies the great variety of organisms and processes occurring in the living world. Biology 11 is an introductory academic course that builds a foundation for later studies in biology, both in grade 12 and at university. This course examines 3 major themes:  Unity and Diversity, Evolution and Ecological Relationships. A study of the major groups of organisms will be covered in the following units. a) Adaptation and Evolution; b) Microbiology; c) Plant Biology; d) Animal Biology; e)  Ecology.

Biology 12 (BI12)
Prerequisite: B in BI 11 and CH 11
Intended for serious students who are continuing their education at university or other post secondary institutions. Students will be expected to do 1.5 hours of homework every day. Experiments and dissections will be done to illustrate basic physiology. Major topics include: a) Cell Biology - cell structure, biochemistry, DNA, biotechnology; b) Cell Processes and Applications - protein synthesis, cancer, cell membranes, enzymes; c) Human Biology – study of body systems: digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, urinary, reproductive.

Chemistry 11 (CH11)
Prerequisite: SC 10 with B. Co-requisite: Pre-Calculus 11
Recommended: Foundations of Math & Pre-Calculus 10 with C+
Students should have a good working knowledge of mathematics and are required to have a scientific calculator that will be required for most written exams. Chemistry 11 is an introductory academic course that builds a foundation for later studies in chemistry. Laboratory work will be used to develop the major concepts and the lecture material involves both reasoning and problem solving. The major topics include: a) Introduction to Chemistry b) Atoms, Molecules, and Ions c) The Mole Concept d) Chemical Reactions e) Atomic Theory  f) Solution Chemistry  g) Organic Chemistry.

Chemistry 12 (CH12)
Prerequisite: CH 11
Corequisite: One Math 12 or permission of the instructor.
Strongly recommended: B in both CH 11 and FOM11 or PREC11 since CH 12 is highly mathematical.
This course is intended for serious students who are continuing their education at university or other post-secondary institutions. Students will be expected to do 1.5 hrs of homework every day. A scientific calculator with exponential and logarithmic functions is required. Provides an in-depth examination of several important branches of Chemistry. The major topics include: a) Chemical Kinetics; b) Chemical Equilibrium; c) Solubility; d) Acids, Bases and Salts; e) Oxidation-Reduction.

Chem/Bi University Prep 12 (YMIS 12A)
Prerequisites: CH11 with at least a B' and/or BI11 with at least a 'B'. Corequisites: BI12 and/or CH12
Designed for students taking Biology 12 and Chemistry 12 who are planning to enroll in university science courses. The focus of this course is twofold. The first goal is to ease the transition for students into first year sciences at university. This will be accomplished by having students study university topics in chemistry, biology, and statistics. Students will perform university level laboratory research and technical report writing. Lab skills are emphasized. The second goal of the course is to allow students more opportunity to study both Chemistry 12 and Biology 12 by solving complex higher-level problems in order to enhance their chances to earn Entrance Scholarships to universities. The theme of technology will be used to both support the above two goals and allow the students to be more prepared for the technology of the future. Learning outcomes for the course are grouped under the curriculum organizers: Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Research Skills, and Technology Skills. Rationale: This course has been developed to allow students to be more successful in University Chemistry and Biology both financially and academically. Students that have taken Chem/Bi University Prep, year after year, return to tell us how much better prepared they were compared to their peers in first year at college or university. You will excel in the lab classes at university after taking this course. This course will help you in the future as well as your grade 12 year.

Earth Science 11 (ESC11)
Prerequisite: SC 10
An overview of Earth Science, this course is a blend of many disciplines and how they relate to our planet. Earth Science uses aspects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Physical Geography. While the topics included in this course are of general interest, students are asked to recognize that this course is academic in nature. This is not a modified science course.

Physics 11 (PH11)
Recommend C+ in FMP 10 & SC 10.
Students will be expected to be proficient in basic trigonometry and algebra. Scientific calculators are essential. Students should expect to solve a wide variety of problems using calculation and graphical means. Labs and projects support the theory discussed in class. The major topics include: a) Kinematics (motion); b) Dynamics (forces); c) Momentum; d) Energy; e) Waves; f) Optics; g) Special relativity; h) Introduction to vectors.

Physics 12 (PH12)
Recommended:  Physics 11 with a C+ minimum,  Pre-Calculus 11 with a B minimum and Pre-Calculus 12 with a C+ minimum.
This course requires a strong background in algebra skills.  Physics 12 extends the basic concepts of Physics 11 to motion in two dimensions, forces, energy, circular motion, torque, electrostatics, electric circuits and electromagnetism. Students will apply vector analysis to a variety of problem-solving situations.  This course is intended for students who are continuing their education at university. 

Geology 12 (GEOL12)
Prerequisite: at least ONE of the following CH 11, PH 11, BI 11 (C+ recommended), or ESC 11 ('A' recommended) **Students with an A in Science 10 may take Geology 12 in their grade 11 year without the above prerequisites. This class is regarded as a science credit for many university admissions.
Venture into the outdoors with Geology 12. Learn about the physical world around you. Geology 12 consists of a range of topics from earthquakes and volcanoes to the study of planets within our solar system. The major topics include: a) Earth materials; b) Internal Earth structures and processes e.g. plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes; c) Surface processes e.g. glaciers and rivers; d) Geological time and the fossil record; e) Earth resources; f) Planetology - the study of planets in our solar system.