Science

Science

The Science Program at LFMSS is designed to provide all students with basic scientific literacy and a positive attitude towards science as it relates to technology and society.

Equipment:

A scientific calculator is essential for Senior Physics and Chemistry courses.  It should be capable of handling exponential numbers, trigonometric functions, and logarithms.

SCIENCE 9

Prerequisite:  Science 8

The Science 9 curriculum provides students the opportunity to develop scientific knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will be relevant in their everyday lives and their future careers. The course addresses a variety of curricular competencies and content areas. The big ideas covered include the following:

  • Science Processes – skills related to scientific communication, scientific literacy and understanding, using scientific technology
  • Biology – cellular reproduction, asexual and sexual reproduction
  • Physics – circuits, current, voltage, resistance
  • Chemistry – the periodic table, formation of compounds
  • Earth Science – matter cycles, sustainability of systems

SCIENCE 10

Prerequisite: Science 9

The Science 10 curriculum continues to provide students the opportunity to develop scientific knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will be relevant in their everyday lives and their future careers. The course addresses a variety of curricular competencies and content areas. The big ideas covered in Science 10 are:

  • How are genes formed from DNA?
  • What affects genetic diversity?
  • How do chemical reactions proceed?
  • What role does energy play in the process?
  • How do energy transformations affect living things and the environment?
  • How does the big bang theory explain the formation of the universe?

LIFE SCIENCES 11

Prerequisite: Science 10

Life Sciences 11 consists of four units that incorporate the Big Ideas of biological interactions, evolution at population level, and grouping of organisms based on common characteristics. This is an introductory course intended to present basic biological principles and help students to develop necessary laboratory skills. By examining concepts and gaining knowledge through labs, inquiry projects, and collaborate in classroom experiences it is hoped that students will develop an appreciation for the integrated nature of biology and through this develop a feeling of responsibility to sustain and protect biodiversity. Also, this course provides opportunity for students to build their scientific literacy skills, analyze and evaluate data and claims, and develop communication and collaborative skills.

The big ideas covered in the course includes:

  • Methods and principles of biology – classification and taxonomy, adaptation,and evolution
  • Microbiology – viruses, bacteria, protists
  • The fungus kingdom
  • The plant kingdom – algae, moss, ferns, [gymnosperms, angiosperms]
  • The animal kingdom – invertebrate and vertebrate
  • Selected optional topics: parasitology, aquatic biology, bioethics, biological careers, wildlife biology, population ecology

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 12

Prerequisite: Life Sciences 11

Recommended: if achievement was C+ or higher in Life Sciences 11.  It is not recommended that students take this course before Grade 12.

Anatomy & Physiology 12 is designed for those students with a keen interest in the life sciences and/or those students wishing to pursue biological studies at the post-secondary level. This course presents an intensive survey of human systems at the organ system, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. This course consists of four units that incorporate the Big Ideas of Homeostasis, Gene Expression and Organ Systems. The first three units focus on cellular biology and the last unit covers the major systems of the body, focusing on anatomy and physiology. Anatomy and physiology 12 involve analytical problem solving, developing questions and making predictions, technical writing, data analysis and laboratory work. Participation in the classroom experiences and in labs will help students develop scientific literacy critical thinking, and how to apply new understandings to personal and societal issues.

Course content includes:

  • Methods and principles – experimental design, homeostasis
  • Biochemistry (includes DNA)
  • Cell biology
  • Human biology – form, function, and physiology of human systems (e.g., Digestive System, Circulatory System, Respiratory System, Excretory System, Reproductive System, Nervous System, Muscular/Skeletal System)

CHEMISTRY 11

Prerequisites: Science 10 and Precalculus Math 10

Recommended: if achievement was C+ or higher in both Science 10 and Precalculus Math 10

Chemistry is the science that deals with the properties and reactions of materials. It is concerned with the identification, characterization, and transformations of matter, and with the energy changes accompanying these transformations. As such, it makes an important contribution to our ability to comprehend the natural environment and understand various other pure and applied sciences, as well as the nature of scientific inquiry.

Through participation in co-operative labs, independent research, and other classroom experiences, students acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable them to pursue further study and experience success in the workplace as informed decision makers and full participants.

The big ideas covered in Chemistry 11:

  • Atoms and molecules as building blocks of matter
  • Organic chemistry and implications for human health, society, and the environment
  • How the mole is a quantity used to make atoms and molecules measurable
  • Conservation of matter and energy in chemical reactions

CHEMISTRY 12

Prerequisite: Chemistry 11 with a minimum C+ standing and Math 11 with minimum C+ standing

Recommended: Not recommended for students who have not fulfilled the above prerequisites

Chemistry 12 is a continuation of Chemistry 11 and many of the skills and concepts covered in Chemistry 11 will be built upon in Chemistry 12. Unlike Chemistry 11, which is a survey course in which many different topics are covered, Chemistry 12 concentrates on five big ideas which are covered in greater depth. Higher level math is not a requirement of this course, but a strong math background will benefit students taking this class. Chemistry 12 is a problem-solving course in which mathematical principles and critical thinking are applied to conceptual problems. Students taking Chemistry 12 should be comfortable working in the lab, following written procedure and make connections between data, observations, and scientific concepts. It is recommended that students planning to take Chemistry at a post-secondary institution, take Chemistry 12.

The big ideas for Chemistry 12:

  • Reactants must collide to react, and reaction rate is dependent on the surrounding conditions
  • Dynamic equilibrium can be shifted
  • Saturated solutions are systems in equilibrium
  • Acid/base strength depends on the degree of ion dissociation
  • Oxidation & reduction are complementary processes that involve the gain or loss of electrons

PHYSICS 11

Prerequisites: Science 10 and Pre-Calculus Math 10

Recommended: if achievement was C+ or higher in both Science 10 and Pre-Calculus Math 10

Students will be studying a variety of topics in Physics with the understanding of their applications to the real world. The central goal of this course is for students to learn to “figure out how things work”.  This goal ties into the critical thinking competency that permeates throughout the course. Students will learn approaches to problem solve hypothetical situations and skills to methodically work out solutions.

The big ideas covered in Physics 11:

  • An object’s motion can be predicted, analyzed, and described
  • Forces influence the motion of an object
  • Energy is found in different forms, is conserved, and has the ability to do work
  • Mechanical waves transfer energy but not matter

PHYSICS 12

Prerequisites: Physics 11 with a minimum C+ standing and Pre-Calculus Math 11with minimum C+ standing

Recommended: Not recommended for students who have not fulfilled the above prerequisites

This course gives students an introduction to higher level Physics.  It is a pre-requisite for post-secondary fields such as science, engineering, and kinesiology.  It is also a highly recommended University corequisite for other sciences such as Chemistry, Biology, and Kinesiology.  As a result, the content covers a range of strands with the ability to model physical phenomena being the ultimate goal. Problem solving continues to be the major competency in the course curriculum. Therefore, students will continue to work on this skill.

The big ideas covered in Physics 12:

  • Forces can cause linear and circular motion
  • Forces and energy interactions occur within fields
  • Momentum is conserved within a closedand isolated system
  • Measurement of motion depends on our frame of reference

EARTH SCIENCE 11

Prerequisite: Science 10

Earth Science 11 is a survey course designed to introduce students to the diverse aspects of earth and space science and offers applications to the real world. Through the investigation of geologic processes, students will become aware of their role as custodians of our planet and develop an appreciation of the impact of human activities on both local and global environments.

Course content includes:

  • Earth and Its Environment: Introduction
  • Geological Science: Earth materials; weathering and erosion; Tectonics and Volcanism; Tectonics and Earthquakes; Resources and Environment
  • Oceanographic Science: Oceans
  • Astronomical Science: Observing the Universe; Stars and Galaxies; the Sun and the Solar System; the Earth and Moon; Space Technologies
  • Atmospheric Science: The Atmosphere; Pressure and Winds; Evaporation; Precipitation and Weather
  • Earth’s History: Geologic Time

 

Langley Fundamental Middle & Secondary

21250 42nd Ave, Langley
BC, V3A 8K6
Phone: 604 534 4779