Science Pathways

The Science program includes both general and specialized academic science courses. All courses include laboratory work, technology and societal issues related to the science content. The wide variety of courses offers something for everyone. The courses that you will take depend on your interests, ability, and career plans. Most students do not know in Grade 10 what they want to do. However, by Grade 11 it is very useful to know the answers to the following questions:

Do I want to go to a university, technical school, or community college?

(If yes, 30 level courses are normally required)

Do I want to pursue a science related career? (If yes, two or all three of Biology 30, Chemistry 30 and Physics 30 are often required)

If you answered "yes" or "maybe" to the second question, you should plan ahead and take at least two sciences in Grade 11 and 12. Some students take all three of Biology, Chemistry and Physics to keep their options open. Be scientific – ask questions, collect information from books and people, analyze this information and evaluate. You might have to repeat this cycle several times as you find new information and develop new interests.

Science 10

5 credits

Prerequisite:  50 per cent in Science 9

Recommended: 70 per cent in Grade 9 Science

Science 10 is an integrated academic course that focuses on the key themes in science – energy, matter, change, systems diversity and equilibrium. Science content from Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics is integrated with scientific and technological problem solving and social issues. Science 10 consists of four units of study: Energy from the Sun, Matter and Energy in Living Systems, Matter and Energy in Chemical Change, and Energy and Change. All units of study involve extensive laboratory work, as well as group discussions and independent research. Science 10 is a prerequisite for all 20 level science courses. Science 10 is an academic program and is the prerequisite to placement in all 20 level science courses.

Science 14

5 credits

Prerequisite:  none

Science 14 is a general science course, which attempts to illustrate the science technology society connections in the following core topics: body systems, household science, environment and technology. Elective topics may include reproduction, drugs, astronomy, photography or other topics determined by the interests and needs of the class. The mathematical skills required for this course are minimal. Students should not take Science 14 if they are currently enrolled in or have credits in another high school science course.

Science 24

5 credits

Prerequisite: 50 per cent in Science 14

Science 24 is a general Science course which covers the following core areas:  Applications of Matter and Chemical Change, Understanding Common Energy Conversion Systems, Disease Defense & Human Health and Motion, Change & Transportation Safety.

Science 20

5 credits

Prerequisite: Science 10

Science 20 consists of four units of study:

1. Chemical Changes
2. Changes in Motion
3. The Changing Earth
4. Changes in Living Systems

This course is an excellent general Science choice for students who are interested in pursuing studies outside of STEM/STEAM at the post secondary level. Please confirm this course is accepted at your post secondary of choice. 

Science 30

5 credits

Prerequisite: Science 20 or Bio 20, Chem 20, Physics 20

Science 30 consists of four units of study:

1. Living Systems Respond to Their Environment B. Chemistry and the Environment
2. Electromagnetic Energy
3. Energy and the Environment

This course is an excellent general Science choice for students who are interested in pursuing studies outside of STEM/STEAM at the post secondary level. Please confirm this course is accepted at your post secondary of choice. 

Biology 20

5 credits

Prerequisite:  50 per cent in Science 10

Recommended:  70 per cent in Science 10

Biology 20 is a direct continuation of the concepts and skills developed in Unit II of Science 10.  The key themes in Biology 20 are the concepts of Ecology and Human Physiology.  Within the study of Ecology the students will explore the topics of environmental issues, the dynamic equilibrium of the biosphere, mechanisms of population change and cellular respiration / photosynthesis.  The study of Human Physiology will examine the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory and muscular systems.

Biology 30

5 credits

Prerequisite: Biology 20

Recommended: 70 per cent in Biology 20

This final high school course in Biology covers human systems physiology. I.e. nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems. In addition it covers genetics, human genetics, population genetics and speciation.  Students will be required to write the Alberta Education Diploma Exam.

Chemistry 20

5 credits

Prerequisite:  50 per cent in Science 10

Recommended:  70 per cent in Science 10

Matter and chemical change are the themes common to all units of Chemistry 20. In addition, different units also integrate knowledge and skills about the nature of science, technology and STS issues. Scientific problem–solving skills are progressively developed along with the empirical and theoretical knowledge necessary to describe and understand chemical substances and their reactions. After a review of the chemistry from Science 10, the following topics are studied:  Solutions, Gases, Reaction Calculations, Chemical Bonding and Organic Chemistry. Chemistry 20 is a prerequisite for Chemistry 30.

Chemistry 30

5 credits

Recommended:  70 per cent in Chemistry 20

The scientific and technological knowledge and skills developed in previous chemistry courses are continued in the study of the Chemistry 30 core curriculum. The Alberta Education Diploma Examination tests this. Major topics include electrochemistry (technology emphasis), equilibrium, acid base chemistry (nature of science emphasis) and thermo chemistry (science and society emphasis). Many laboratory exercises are used to develop communication and problem–solving skills.

Physics 20

5 credits

Prerequisite:  50 per cent in Science 10

Recommended:  70 per cent in Science 10 and 70 per cent in Math 10-C.

This course in physics continues the study of motion and energy using the concepts and mathematical skills introduced in Science 10. The description of motion (kinematics) is extended to vector quantities and circular motion. The study of the causes of motion (dynamics) includes Newton's Laws and a formal introduction to mechanical energy, work and power. The themes of energy and change continue in the introduction to mechanical waves and oscillatory motion (Simple harmonic motion). Some units of study include technological applications and all units include an emphasis on problem–solving skills.

Physics 30

5 credits

Prerequisite:  50 per cent in Physics 20

Recommended:  70 per cent in Mathematics 20-1 and Physics 20

The theories and laws presented in previous Physics courses are used extensively in the study of electrostatics, electric magnetic and gravitational fields, electric currents, dual nature of matter and energy, nuclear fission and fusion, and models of the atom including the Rutherford–Bohr model and electromagnetic radiation, nature of light, atomic theories, and relativity. The nature of science is well illustrated in the discussion of classical and modern physical theories. A study of a wide variety of technological applications is integrated with the core topics throughout the course. Communication and problem–solving skills are emphasized in order to prepare students for post–secondary programs and the Alberta Education Diploma Examination.