519-938-9355
www.ugdsb.on.ca/westside
Course: SNC 2D
Phone Extension:
Teacher:
Email:
Program Leader: Mike Manser
Course Description: This course enables students to enhance their understanding of concepts in biology,
chemistry, earth and space science, and physics, and of the interrelationships between science, technology,
society, and the environment. Students are also given opportunities to further develop their scientific
investigation skills. Students will plan and conduct investigations and develop their understanding of scientific
theories related to the four units of study, as listed below.
Instructional Strategies: Westside teachers use a variety of instructional strategies to help students develop
and improve skills in the following areas: character, citizenship, communication, critical thinking and problem
solving, collaboration and teamwork, and creativity and imagination.
Achievement Categories: Student learning is assessed and
evaluated in a balanced manner with respect to the
following four interrelated categories of knowledge and
skills, with relative emphasis as indicated.
Knowledge and Understanding: 25%
Thinking: 25%
Communication: 25%
Application: 25 %
Assessment and Evaluation: Formative assessments are used to improve student learning by providing an
opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of course expectations prior to the summative evaluation.
Summative evaluations are where students demonstrate their understanding of big ideas and key expectations.
Summative tasks may include labs, projects, research assignments and unit tests. Failure to complete a
summative evaluation may result in the credit not being granted because the expectations of the course have
not been met.
Term Work: 70%
Culminating (Final Exam): 30%
Unit Big Ideas: The curriculum in each unit targets “big ideas” that are laid out by Ontario’s Ministry of
Education and adapted by Westside teachers. The following chart outlines the big ideas being explored and
evaluated in each unit of this course. For more information on course expectations, visit
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/science910_2008.pdf
Unit of Study
Physics - Light and
Geometric Optics
Big Ideas
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Chemistry Chemical Reactions
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Light has characteristics and properties that can be manipulated with mirrors and
lenses for a range of uses.
Society has benefitted from the development of a range of optical devices and
technologies.
We can predict the behaviour of chemicals.
Chemical reactions can benefit and harm the environment.
Biology - Tissues,
Organs and Organ
Systems of Living
Things
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
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The structures of cells, tissues and organs facilitate their functions.
Organ systems are specialized according to an organisms needs.
Medical technologies impact society.
Earth and Space
Science – Climate
Change


Earth’s climate is dynamic and is the result of interacting systems and processes.
Global climate change is influenced by both natural and human factors.
Prerequisite: Grade 9 Academic Science (SNC1D)
Late Work
 Students are expected to complete all assigned work and submit it by the teacher's established due date.
Every attempt will be made to encourage students to complete all assigned work on time so their grade
represent their actual achievement. Should a student submit work past the due date, a late mark penalty
will be assigned. All summative assessments must be submitted for course credit. Please see Westside's
Assessment and Evaluation Policy for more details.
Safety Agreement
 All students will receive a safety agreement and will sign and return the UGDSB Student Safety Record
Fees
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This course may offer an optional activity for an additional fee (e.g. dissection).
Students are responsible for the replacement of lost or damaged textbooks.
Electronic Devices
 The science department at Westside S.S. has a policy that no electronic devices (e.g. cell phones, tablets,
iPods, mp3 players etc.) are allowed during evaluations. For this reason, students are reminded to bring a
scientific calculator when needed.
Classroom Rules
 Students are expected to follow the rules of conduct, as referenced on the school’s web site:
http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/westside/.
In addition to these general rules of Westside Secondary School, the rules for the science classroom are as
follows:
 No food or drink of any kind is allowed in a science classroom.
 Respect the people, equipment, and furnishings of the science classroom.
 Immediately stop any activity and give your attention to the teacher when asked to do so.
 Summative assessments will not leave the classroom, but are available for students to discuss with the
teacher.