Grade 11 University Physics
Course Outline
SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT
West Humber Collegiate Institute
COURSE CODE: SPH 3U
COURSE TYPE: University
GRADE/LEVEL: 11
PREREQUISITE: Science, Grade 10, Academic (SNC2D)
CREDIT VALUE: 1.0
ACL: Mr. Sandhu
TEACHER(S):
OFFICE PHONE: (416) 394-7570 Ext. 20095
COURSE TITLE: Physics
MINISTRY GUIDELINE: The Ontario Curriculum
Grades 11 & 12 Science – Revised 2008
Textbooks(s)/Resources: Physics 11, Pearson
Cost of Textbook/equipment replacement: $85.00
(if lost or damaged)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course develops students’ understanding of the basic concepts of physics. Students will explore kinematics, with an
emphasis on linear motion; different kinds of forces; energy transformations; the properties of mechanical waves and
sound; and electricity and magnetism. They will enhance their scientific investigation skills as they test laws of physics. In
addition, they will analyse the interrelationships between physics and technology, and consider the impact of
technological applications of physics on society and the environment.
CURRICULUM STRANDS (UNITS) & OVERALL EXPECTATIONS:
1. Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration
• Demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas of skills
(initiating and planning, performing and recording, analysing and interpreting, and communicating);
• Identify and describe careers related to the fields of science under study, and describe the contributions of
scientists, including Canadians, to those fields.
2. Kinematics
• Analyse technologies that apply concepts related to kinematics, and assess the technologies’ social and
environmental impact;
• Investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, uniform and non-uniform linear motion, and solve
related problems;
• Demonstrate an understanding of uniform and non-uniform linear motion, in one and two dimensions.
3. Forces
• Analyse and propose improvements to technologies that apply concepts related to dynamics and
Newton’s laws, and assess the technologies’ social and environmental impact;
• Investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, net force, acceleration, and mass, and solve related
problems;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between changes in velocity and unbalanced forces in
one dimension.
4. Energy and Society
• Analyse technologies that apply principles of and concepts related to energy transformations, and assess
the technologies’ social and environmental impact;
• Investigate energy transformations and the law of conservation of energy, and solve related problems;
• Demonstrate an understanding of work, efficiency, power, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy,
nuclear energy, and thermal energy and its transfer (heat).
5. Waves and Sound
• Analyse how mechanical waves and sound affect technology, structures, society, and the environment,
and assess ways of reducing their negative effects;
• Investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, the properties of mechanical waves and sound, and solve
related problems;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of mechanical waves and sound and of the principles
underlying their production, transmission, interaction, and reception.
6. Electricity and Magnetism
• Analyse the social, economic, and environmental impact of electrical energy production and technologies
related to electromagnetism, and propose ways to improve the sustainability of electrical energy
production;
• Investigate, in qualitative and quantitative terms, magnetic fields and electric circuits, and solve
•
related problems;
Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of magnetic fields, the principles of current and electron
flow, and the operation of selected technologies that use these properties and principles to produce and
transmit electrical energy.
ASSESSMENT, EVALUATION & REPORTING:
All students will be evaluated on a 70/30 (Term/Summative) split, where Seventy percent (Term) of the final mark is
based on a cumulative total of all work from the current semester and Thirty percent (Summative) is based on the
culminating activities*, final tests, final exams or any combination of these.
Assessment and Evaluation are based on the expectations and levels of achievement outlined in the provincial curriculum
document for each subject. A wide range of assessment and evaluation opportunities allows students to demonstrate their
learning in a variety of ways. This information provides the basis for reporting student grades on the Provincial Report
Card. A final mark will be calculated using the following categories or strands.
Achievement Categories and Weighting
Term Work
70%
Knowledge/Understanding
25%
Thinking/Inquiry
15%
Communication
15%
Application
15%
Summative Evaluation
30%
Exam
30%
Learning Skills: The report card provides a record of the learning skills, demonstrated by the student in every course in
the following six categories: Responsibility, Independent Work, Organization, Initiative, Collaboration, Self-Regulation.
The learning skills are evaluated using a four-point scale (E-Excellent, G-Good, S-Satisfactory, N-Needs Improvement).
* A detailed explanation of the culminating activity/activities will be distributed to students in the class.
All four categories (knowledge, communication, application and inquiry) will be represented on the exam. No student
is exempt from the final evaluation.
Missed Tests/Quizzes: Unit tests will be announced at least one week in advance. If a student is unable to write the
evaluation with the class because of an absence, then the student must inform their teacher in advance of the evaluation so
that alternate arrangements can be made. Students who are absent on the day of an evaluation due to illness or a family
emergency must have their parents phone the school on the day of the evaluation explaining why they are absent. At the
teacher’s discretion, a note from parents indicating the reason for the absence may also be required. Alternate
arrangements will be made for these students to write the evaluation. Doctor’s notes will be required from students who
miss more than one evaluation. If these procedures are not followed, it is possible that a mark of zero will be assigned.
Missed Laboratory Activities: Students are expected to participate regularly in laboratory activities. If an absence occurs
on the day of a lab, it is the student’s responsibility to connect with the teacher upon returning to class. At the discretion
of the teacher, the student may be required to make up any missed lab work.
Missed Exam/Culminating Activities: If a student misses an exam owing to illness, death in the family, a court
appearance, etc., documentation must be provided accounting for the absence to the Vice-Principal in charge of exams at
the earliest opportunity. Otherwise, the assigned mark for a missed examination is zero. The culminating tasks are
treated in the same manner as a final examination. Missing a deadline or presentation day must be for a significant reason
such as a serious illness, or bereavement. Evidence, such as a letter from a medical professional, must be provided to
support the reason. A student who misses a culminating task deadline without a legitimate reason will receive a mark of
zero for that assignment.
Late Assignments: All assignments must be completed on time. Assignments that are submitted late face a potential late
penalty of up to a maximum of 10%. For major evaluations, teachers may choose to assign an ultimate deadline of no
less than one week and no more than one term following the due date. After the ultimate deadline, late submissions will
not be accepted. This will apply in cases where a teacher’s return to students of marked work compromises the integrity of
further late submissions. After an ultimate deadline, a mark of zero will be recorded.
Cheating & Plagiarism: If it has been confirmed that a student has plagiarized submitted work, allows their submitted
work to be copied or cheats during an evaluation, the student will receive a mark of zero for that activity. Additional
consequences, including suspension at the discretion of the Principal/Vice-Principal, may be taken.
By signing below, I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understand the course expectations set out by the WHCI
Science Department.
Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________ Date: ______________________
Student Signature: _____________________________________________ Date: ______________________