The high school Science program is designed to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that they need to explore interests and prepare for further education and careers. It is guided by the vision to enable students to become a scientific literate member of society and maintain a sense of wonder and awe at the world around them.
5 credits
Prerequisite: 80%+ in Grade 9 Science
This course is a prerequisite for students wishing to enter the International Baccalaureate Programme. The course involves four interrelated units of study: chemical change, technological systems, living systems, and energy flow in global systems. This course follows the same Program of Studies as Science 10 but may emphasize independent design, planning and interpretation of laboratory activities.
5 credits
Prerequisite: Suggested prerequisite of 60%+ in Grade 9 Science and Math
This course is the starting point for the Biology 20, Chemistry 20, Physics 20 and/or Science 20 course sequences. Specific topics of study include chemical change technological systems, living systems, energy flow in global systems.
5 credits
Prerequisite: Suggested prerequisite of below 60% in Grade 9 Science
This course takes a practical approach to science learning, preparing students for Science 24, which qualifies them for an Alberta High School Diploma. This course covers fundamental concepts of chemistry, physics, biology, and ecology.
5 credits
Prerequisite: 50% in Science 10
This course is designed for students that are interested in all disciplines of science but may not be enrolling in a post-secondary science field of study. It also opens the door to Science 30, a widely recognized 30-level science course recognized by many post-secondary institutions. Students investigate chemical changes, changes in motion, the changing earth, and changes in living systems. Students will be encouraged to develop positive attitudes that support the responsible acquisition and application of knowledge related to science and technology.
5 credits
Prerequisite: 50% in Science 14
Students study the role of science in society and its relationship with technology. The four units used to acquire these skills are: applications of matter and chemical change, understanding common energy conversion systems, disease defense and human health and motion, and change and transportation safety. Completion of this stream will qualify the student for their science credits for their Alberta High School Diploma.
5 credits
Prerequisite: Suggested prerequisite 60%+ in at least one of Science 20, Biology 20, Physics 20, or Chemistry 20
This course is intended for students who plan on entering a post-secondary institution or program that does not require Chemistry 30, Biology 30 or Physics 30. Students investigate how living systems respond to their environment, chemistry and energy in the environment, and electromagnetic energy.
This program investigates life sciences and is recommended for students interested in further study in biological sciences and/or a career in sciences.
5 credits
Prerequisite: 80%+ in Science 10 SAL Pre-IB or teacher recommendation
Biology 20 SAL Pre-IB studies ecosystems, populations, natural selection, classification, biochemistry, and some human body systems (digestive, circulatory, muscular, respiratory, and excretory), and emphasizes how these concepts affect environmental, political, and socio-economic systems in the world (international emphasis). IB sections also prepare students for the IB internal assessment by emphasizing independent design, planning and interpretation of laboratory activities.
5 credits
Prerequisite: Suggested prerequisite 60%+ in Science 10
Topics studied include the biosphere, ecosystems and population change, cellular respiration and photosynthesis, and human systems including nutrition and the digestive system and immunity, the respiratory system, the excretory system, and the motor system.
5 credits
Prerequisite: 80%+ in Biology 20 SAL Pre IB
This course covers the nervous system and endocrine systems, human reproduction and development, genetics and population biology, and emphasizes how these concepts affect environmental, political and socioeconomic systems in the world (international emphasis). IB sections also prepare students for the IB internal assessment by emphasizing independent design, planning, and interpretation of laboratory activities, while also preparing students to write the Alberta Biology 30 Diploma Exam.
5 credits
Prerequisite: Suggested prerequisite 60%+ in Biology 20
There are four major areas of study in Biology 30. These include the nervous and endocrine (hormone) systems, human reproduction and development, cell division, genetics, molecular biology, and population and community dynamics.
5 credits
Prerequisite: 80%+ in Biology HL Year 1
This course covers additional concepts to prepare students to write the higher level IB World Exam in Biology and completes the Alberta Bio 35 course. This course concentrates on furthering the student’s knowledge in areas of molecular biology, human physiology, botany, neurobiology, and behavior. There will also be time spent on the Internal Assessment lab requirements for IB Biology.
This course stream is recommended for those intending to follow careers in life sciences, physical sciences, and applied sciences.
5 credits
Prerequisite: 80%+ in Science 10 SAL Pre-IB
This course consists of four units of study: diversity of matter and chemical bonding, forms of matter, gases, matter as solutions, acids and bases, and quantitative relationships in chemical change. Chemistry 20 Sal Pre-IB has a rigorous laboratory component that provides multiple opportunities to design and complete original lab work. The opportunity to see the creative experimental process from start to finish is an invaluable one for students planning on pursuing science at the post-secondary level. The IB internal assessment will be completed in this course.
5 credits
Prerequisite: Suggested prerequisite 60%+ in Science 10
This course consists of four units of study: diversity of matter and chemical bonding, gases, matter as solutions, acids and bases, and quantitative relationships in chemical change. This course includes an extensive laboratory component aimed at developing student interest in scientific inquiry, collaborative skills, environmental stewardship, and safe practices.
5 credits
Prerequisite: 80%+ in Chemistry SL Year 1
The themes of change, energy, matter, and systems are studied in terms of thermochemical changes (heat energy of chemical reactions), electrochemical changes (electrical energy changes), chemical equilibrium focusing on acids and bases, and chemical change of organic compounds. Chemistry 30 IB has a rigorous laboratory component that provides multiple opportunities to design and complete original lab work. The opportunity to see the creative experimental process through from start to finish is invaluable for students planning on pursuing science at the post-secondary level.
5 credits
Prerequisite: Suggested prerequisite 60%+ in Chemistry 20
The themes of change, energy, matter, and systems are studied in terms of thermochemical changes (heat energy of chemical reactions), electrochemical changes (electrical energy changes), chemical equilibrium focusing on acids and bases, and chemical change of organic compounds. This course includes and extensive laboratory component aimed at developing student interest in scientific inquiry, collaborative skills, environmental stewardship, and safe practices.
Physics is an academic program recommended for students interested in careers and/or further study in the sciences, engineering, applied sciences and the technologies. Students registering in the program are strongly advised to take Math 10C, Math 20-1 and Math 30-1.
5 credits
Prerequisite: Suggested prerequisite 60% in Math 10C, Science 10, and 60% in the Physics unit of Science 10
The focus of this challenging course is to develop an understanding of the physics of motion through experiments and mathematical models. The goals of this course are not limited to knowledge of the course content. Students are also expected to demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills. The units of study include motion in 1D and 2D, forces and energy, circular motion and gravitation, and simple harmonic motion and waves.
5 credits
Prerequisite: Suggested prerequisite 60% in Physics 20
Diversity of matter and energy are the predominant themes in this course. As in Physics 20, students will continue to develop their independent problem solving and critical and creative thinking skills. The units of study include conservation of momentum, electric and magnetic field theory, electromagnetic radiation (wave and quantum models), and atomic and nuclear physics.