Grade Twelve University Preparation SCH4U Course of Study
Course Details
The Ontario Curriculum: Science 2008
Victoria Park Collegiate Institute, TDSB
Science Assistant Curriculum Leaders:
S. Reichling & K. Thorne
Revised: Sept 2011
Grade Twelve University Preparation SCH4U
Resources: Text: Nelson Chemistry 12 or CD ROM
Replacement Cost: $125 or $5 for CD
Overall Goals
Curriculum Expectations
Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Expectations- Throughout this course students will:

Demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas of skills (initiating and planning, performing and
recording, analyzing and interpreting, and communicating).

Identify and describe a variety of careers related to the fields of science under study, and identify scientists, including Canadians, who have made
contributions to those fields.
Electrochemistry- By the end of this course, students will:

analyse technologies and processes relating to electrochemistry, and their implications for society, health and safety, and the environment.

investigate oxidation-reduction reactions using a galvanic cell, and analyse electrochemical reactions in qualitative and quantitative terms.

demonstrate an understanding of the principles of oxidation-reduction reactions and the many practical applications of electrochemistry.
Structure and Properties- By the end of this unit, students will:

assess the benefits to society and evaluate the environmental impact of products and technologies that apply principles related to the structure and
properties of matter.

investigate the molecular shapes and physical properties of various types of matter.

demonstrate an understanding of atomic structure and chemical bonding, and how they relate to the physical properties of ionic, molecular,
covalent network, and metallic substances.
Organic Chemistry- By the end of this unit, students will:

assess the social and environmental impact of organic compounds used in everyday life, and propose a course of action to reduce the use of
compounds that are harmful to human health and the environment

investigate organic compounds and organic chemical reactions, and use various methods to represent the compounds

demonstrate an understanding of the structure, properties, and chemical behaviour of compounds within each class of organic compounds.
Energy Changes and Rates of Reaction- By the end of this course, students will:

analyse technologies and chemical processes that are based on energy changes, and evaluate them in terms of their efficiency and their effects on
the environment.

investigate and analyse energy changes and rates of reaction in p analyse chemical equilibrium processes, and assess their impact on biological,
biochemical, and technological systems.

demonstrate an understanding of energy changes and rates of reaction.
Chemical Systems and Equilibrium- By the end of this course, students will:

analyse chemical equilibrium processes, and assess their impact on biological, biochemical, and technological systems.

investigate the qualitative and quantitative nature of chemical systems at equilibrium, and solve related problems.

demonstrate an understanding of the concept of dynamic equilibrium and the variables that cause shifts in the equilibrium of chemical systems.
Course Description:
This course enables students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the study of organic chemistry, energy changes and rates of reaction, chemical
systems and equilibrium, electrochemistry, and atomic and molecular structure. Students will further develop problem-solving and laboratory skills as they
investigate chemical processes, at the same time refining their ability to communicate scientific information. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of
chemistry in daily life, and on evaluating the impact of chemical technology on the environment.
Prerequisite: Chemistry, Grade 11, University Preparation
Course Content:
Structure and Properties
25 h
Organic Chemistry
20 h
Energy Changes and Rates of Reaction
20 h
Chemical Systems and Equilibrium
25 h
Electrochemistry
20 h
The order of instruction of the above units may vary.
Learning Skills
Students will be assessed on the following Six Learning Skills with the use of a checklist;
Responsibility, Organization, Independent Work, Collaboration, Initiative, Self-Regulation
Teaching/Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
A range of instructional strategies will be used to address student needs. Some of these strategies include direct instruction, interactive instruction, experiential
learning and independent study. Students are given opportunities to learn and be assessed before evaluations. Summative evaluation for this course is based
on a final written exam.
Achievement Chart
Knowledge and Understanding –K&U – (30%)
Evaluation may include quizzes, homework checks, tests, problem sets, assignments, facts, terms, concepts, applications, etc.
Thinking and Investigation –T&I – (30%)
Evaluation may include application of scientific inquiry, applications of technical skills, use of tools and equipment, open ended test
questions, concept maps, formulating questions, etc.
Communication – C – (20%)
Evaluation may be based on laboratory reports, written reports, essays, oral presentations, in-class questions and answers, terminology,
student-teacher conferences, etc.
Application – A – (20%)
Evaluation may include research papers, projects, debates, interviews, analyzing issues, assessing impacts and proposing courses of
action, understanding connections among Science, Technology, Society and the Environment, etc.
70% Grade on Course Work*
Electrochemistry
Task
Redox Reactions Quiz
Electrochemical Cell Experiment
Electrochemistry Application Assignment
Unit Test
Structure and Properties
Task
Atomic Theories and Properties Quiz
Bonding Investigation
Specialized Materials/ Analytical Technologies Assignment
Unit Test
Organic Chemistry
Task
Organic Nomenclature Quiz
Effect of Organic Compounds Assignment
Organic Reactions Investigation
Unit Test
Energy Changes and Rates of Reaction
Task
Thermochemistry Quiz
Hess' Law Assignment
Rates Experiment
Unit Test
Chemical Systems and Equilibrium
Task
Equilibrium Quiz
Equilibrium Lab
Acid/Base Titration
Unit Test
K&U
X
X
X
K&U
X
X
X
K&U
X
X
K&U
X
X
K&U
X
X
Achievement Chart Focus
T&I
C
X
X
X
X
X
X
Achievement Chart Focus
T&I
C
X
X
X
X
X
X
Achievement Chart Focus
T&I
C
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Achievement Chart Focus
T&I
C
X
X
X
X
X
X
Achievement Chart Focus
T&I
C
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A
X
A
X
X
A
X
X
A
X
A
X
X
* Note: The above evaluations are subject to minor changes.
30% Grade Based on Course-Culminating Activities
All students will write one or more evaluations at the end of the course. These evaluations could include laboratory assessments, research
projects/presentations and examinations.
The Research Process:
For every research-based assignment, students will be expected to use the TDSB student research guide, Research @ Your Library with the 4 stage model of
the research process incorporated into these assignments either in part or in whole. Students will receive instruction and be assessed/ evaluated on various
aspects of the research process by either their teacher or one of the teacher-librarians. These lessons may include, but are not limited to the development of
research questions, note-taking, adherence to a specific documentation style, facility with a variety of resources, etc.
Accommodations
Accommodations refer to the teaching strategies, supports, and/or services that are required in order for a student to access the curriculum and demonstrate
learning. Students who have an IEP are entitled to the accommodations specified in their plans.
Term Grades for Provincial Reports throughout the Year
The grade for each term/reporting period is based on the evaluations that have been conducted to that point in the course, and will be preliminary and tentative.
They will be based on the most consistent level of achievement to that time, but some of the overall expectations, strands, end units, will not have been
addressed. The students’ grades may change when all work has been evaluated at the end of the course.
Midterm reports will be sent home with the students approximately half way through the semester.
First of all … KNOW that we want you to succeed.
The science office is in room 221. You are encouraged to make an appointment with your teacher if you would like extra help, or if you wish to see/discuss
your marks. Do not hesitate to ask for help.
Parents/guardians may contact the teacher at any time with comments and/or concerns at 416 – 395 – 3310 ext. 20095. Parents/guardians may also schedule an
interview during Parent/Teacher interview time.
The teacher will contact parents/guardians as necessary.