Science

TEACHING STAFF

Department Head:  Ms. L. MIntz

Mr. I. Buchanan
Mr. H. Chenafi
Mr. F. Fulop 
Mrs. V. Ignas 
Ms. K. Lange
Ms. L. Mintz
Mr. M. Sidney
Ms. P. Simmonds
Ms. R. Singhai
Ms. L. Wong

The Moscrop Science Department offers a diverse selection of courses that provide students with the opportunities that they will need to succeed in science both now and after high school.

The department works out of a “super-lab” facility that allows students to explore concepts in a hands-on manner. A focus of Moscrop’s science department is to provide meaningful labs in a university-type setting where students can take responsibility for their own learning. Lab skills and physical manipulation of science materials prove to be an essential part of learning science as they allow for processing and application of curriculum.

Moscrop’s Science Department incorporates a friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff along with an excellent facility to optimize student’s learning experience in science.

Physics 11

Physics is a fundamental science that strives to describe the most basic elements of nature.  Through inquiry and problem solving, students survey major themes of physics such as: kinematics—how things move; dynamics—why things move; energy—kinetic, potential, thermal, and nuclear; as well as waves—sound and light.  Nuclear physics, Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, and other perplexing and interesting problems are explored.  Of the senior science courses offered, physics is the most reliant on strong mathematical skills.

Physics 11H / AP Physics 1

Physics is a fundamental science that strives to describe the most basic elements of nature.  Through inquiry and problem solving, students survey major themes of physics such as: kinematics—how things move; dynamics—why things move; energy—kinetic, potential, thermal, and nuclear; as well as waves—sound and light.  Of the senior science courses offered, physics is the most reliant on strong mathematical skills.  The Physics 11H/AP Physics 1 is a combined class that builds upon the common curriculum of both programs and covers the core topics of Physics 11 as well as additional topics prescribed by the College Board for the AP Physics 1 Program.  In addition, students will also cover approximately one-third of the Physics 12 curriculum, but not enough to be granted credit.

Physics 12

This course builds directly upon the concepts and skills developed in Physics 11 with an emphasis on mechanics and electromagnetism.  Capitalizing on the growing sophistication of students’ mathematical skills, kinematics and dynamics are studied in two dimensions.  This course explores concepts in electromagnetism, electric and magnetic fields, current electricity, motors and generators, and how these concepts are applied in real-world situations.

Physics 12 H/AP Physics 2

Physics 12H/AP Physics 2 is a combined class that builds on the common curriculum of both programs.  Students should be aware that a commitment to self-directed study is expected due to the size of the curriculum covered.  This course covers the remaining core topics of Physics 12 not already covered in Physics 11H/AP Physics 1, as well as additional topics prescribed by the College Board for the AP Physics 2 Program.  AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based course in general physics and mirrors an introductory level university physics course.  The course is organized around seven big ideas bringing together fundamental principles and theories of general physics. The big ideas are intended to encourage students to think about physics concepts as interconnected pieces of a puzzle. The solution to the puzzle is how the real world around them actually works.

Life Sciences 11 (formerly Biology 11)

This course surveys the five kingdoms of living organisms (bacteria, protists, fungi, plants and animals).  Through an inquiry approach which includes several optional dissections, each kingdom is explored with a focus on evolutionary biology, key characteristics, and relationships between organisms.  Microscope work, lab design, and critical thinking are emphasized in this course, providing students with the skills and concepts necessary for success in the biological sciences—Biology 12 and beyond.

Anatomy and Physiology 12 (formerly Biology 12)

Introduced in Biology 11, proper lab skills and habits of inquiry are further developed in this course. Topics covered range from biochemistry and cells to DNA, biotechnology and organization of key human systems (digestive, respiratory, excretory and nervous, etc.) with emphasis on interconnectedness and homeostasis. Material is covered at a rapid pace. This content-heavy course requires understanding and application of concepts and is a considerable step-up in difficulty from Biology 11.

Prerequisite: Biology 11

Chemistry 11

Chemistry 11 is a survey course that introduces students to the physical, inorganic, and organic branches of chemistry.  Students learn about the nature of matter—its characteristics and behaviour at the molecular and atomic level.  Laboratory and math skills are developed to establish a foundation for future studies in chemistry.  There will be a cumulative exam at the end of the course.

Chemistry 12

This course is an in-depth study of equilibrium systems.  Building on concepts and skills developed in Chemistry 11, students discover the characteristics of equilibrium systems and the factors that affect them.  Students also apply their understanding to reaction rates, solubility, acids and bases, and electrochemistry.  This course involves a higher level of application and critical thinking than Chemistry 11.

Science 11 Honours: (Biology 11H, Chemistry 11H)

Science 11 Honours courses are the first year of a two-year Advanced Placement (AP) course and are offered to science students who have previously shown strong ability and effective work habits.  While covering the same curriculum as their regular counterparts, they move at a faster pace allowing for coverage of a wider range of topics as required by the AP curriculum.   Upon successful completion of Science 11 Honours, students may, however, opt to take a regular Science 12 course rather than its AP counterpart.  Students taking these courses are required to work more independently and it is crucial for students to commit to work at an appropriate level.

Science 12 AP (Advanced Placement—Biology 12 AP, Chemistry 12AP)

Science 12 AP is the equivalent of a first year university course and covers the second half of the AP curriculum begun in the corresponding Science 11 Honours course.  Successful completion of a Sc.12AP course gives students credit in both Sc. 12 and Sc. 12AP. (example: Chem. 12 and Chem. 12AP).  The AP exam is to be written in early May, and students are only awarded credit for Sc. 12AP if they write the exam.  Upon scoring a minimum of 4 (out of 5) on the Advanced Placement exam, students may be granted credit for certain first year courses at the university or college at which they subsequently enrol.

Science for Citizens (formerly Science and Technology)

Designed to be an option for students who would like to satisfy their graduation requirements for a Science 11 course, Science for Citizens 11 focuses on essential scientific knowledge that informs decisions and impacts our daily lives.  This course emphasizes everyday uses and safety implications of scientific principles in the workplace and also seeks to help students understand how natural changes and human choices affect global systems.  The course has a wide range of possible topics that can be explored, some of which may be driven by student interest and engagement.​

Health Science Program

Introduction to Health Sciences and Health Care, developed in collaboration with the Burnaby High School District, will provide students with an overview of the Canadian health care delivery system, and an opportunity to explore the various health sciences professions and discover wide-ranging opportunities and career paths in health care. Focus will be lent to the development of meaningful connections between common health care concerns and the learning outcomes of high school science and math courses. Over the course of eight months, students will come to BCIT to apply foundational knowledge acquired in high school courses to a variety of learning experiences in a range of health care disciplines within the School of Health Sciences. Students will be expected to reflect on these experiences and employ critical and creative thinking to construct their own understanding of what they are learning, and to set personal goals for future learning and career planning.

This course is based on three patient case scenarios which students will follow through the duration of the course. Students will learn how diabetes, heart disease and cancer are diagnosed through hands-on lab work, problem based learning sessions, simulations, lectures and seminars. Students will gain an understanding of the role of health care professionals in patient diagnosis, management, and treatment, and be introduced to the rigors of scientific investigation using standardized operating procedures to reach valid, accurate and reproducible results. Throughout the course, the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the workplace will be emphasized.

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