In order to receive a Alberta High School Diploma, students must complete a MINIMUM of one Grade 11 Science course (20 or 24 level). A mark of 60% or more in the pre-requisite course is recommended for registration. A mark of 75% is the pre-requisite recommended for Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Many post-secondary programs require Grade 12 Science courses.
A mark of 60% or more in the prerequisite course is recommended for registration. A mark of 75% is the prerequisite recommended for Advanced Placement courses. Many
post-secondary programs require Grade 12 Science courses.
There are four course routes for Science students at Paul Kane:
- The Science 14/24 stream is for students who find Science difficult or will not be pursuing science past high school.
- The Science 10-20-30 stream is for those students who would like a Grade 12 academic Science course but who will not be pursuing a career in a Science-related field.
- The Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses are for students heading towards college or university or a specific Science-related field.
- The Advanced Placement (AP) stream is designed for students who love Biology and/or Chemistry or Physics. Advanced Placement students write the same final exams as the regular courses but with the addition of the AP Biology exam, AP Chemistry exam, or AP Physics 1 exam as applicable (in May of Grade 11). Students may switch into Advanced Placement with teacher and/or Department Head consultation.
Note: ALWAYS check information with the post-secondary institution and the program of your choice. Pre-requisites vary by institution and institutions sometimes review and change entrance requirements.
Courses
10 credits
Science 14 and 24 cover a range of scientific concepts across the three science disciplines (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). They aim to provide students with a foundational understanding of scientific principles, inquiry skills, and practical applications. They also enable students, of varying aptitudes and interests, to develop a knowledge of the wide spectrum of careers related to science, technology and the environment.
5 credits
In Science 10 students are introduced to Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Ecology.
Science 20 is a continuation of these four disciplines.
Science 30 covers advanced concepts. Prerequisites for Science 30 are any one of Science 20 or Biology 20 or Chemistry 20 or Physics 20.
In Science 10AP topics are explored to a greater depth. For more information visit our Advanced Placement page.
5 credits
Biology 20 focuses on human physiology and energy transfer in our biosphere.
Biology 30 is about molecular biology, genetics, human physiology and reproduction.
AP Courses:
5 credits - Biology 20AP has extra labs and deeper discussion of some concepts.
8 credits - Biology 30/35AP combo students gain advanced experiences in scientific thinking and writing through lab activities.
For more information visit our Advanced Placement page.
5 credits
Chemistry 20 introduces students to chemical bonding and how and why substances react.
Chemistry 30 introduces four new concepts: thermodynamics, electrochemistry, equilibrium reactions and organic chemistry.
AP Courses:
5 credits - Chemistry 20AP more emphasis is on periodic table relationships, and chemical bonding.
8 credits - Chemistry 30/35AP combo students investigate higher level Chemistry and perform advanced laboratory experiments.
For more information visit our Advanced Placement page.
5 credits
Physics 20 is about the mechanics of forces, motion, energy and waves.
Physics 30 focuses on momentum, forces, electromagnetic radiation and atomic physics.
AP Courses:
Physics 20AP students gain a deeper understanding of Physics through in-class activities and inquiry-based lab work.
For more information visit our Advanced Placement page.