Biology, Grade 12, University Preparation
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Science 2008
Course Code: SBI4U1, Credit Value: 1 Credit
Prerequisites: Grade 11 Biology
Text: Biology 12, Nelson
Course Description
This course provides students with the opportunity for in-depth study of the concepts and
processes associated with the biological systems. Students will study theory and conduct
investigations in the areas of biochemistry, metabolic processes, molecular genetics,
homeostasis, and population dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on achievement of the
detailed knowledge and refinement of skills needed for further study in various branches of the
life sciences and related fields.
Curriculum Expectations:
A. Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Expectations
 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
B. Biochemistry
 Analyze technological applications of enzymes in some industrial processes, and
evaluate technological advances in the field of cellular biology;
 Investigate the chemical structures, functions, and chemical properties of biological
molecules involved in some common cellular processes and biochemical reactions;
 Demonstrate an understanding of the structures and functions of biological
molecules, and the biochemical reactions required to maintain normal cellular
function.
C. Metabolic Processes
 Analyze the role of metabolic processes in the functioning of biotic and abiotic
systems, and evaluate the importance of an understanding of these processes and
related technologies to personal choices made in everyday life;
 Investigate the products of metabolic processes such as cellular respiration and
photosynthesis;
 Demonstrate an understanding of the chemical changes and energy conversions
that occur in metabolic processes
D. Molecular Genetics



Analyze some of the social, ethical, and legal issues associated with genetic
research and biotechnology;
Investigate, through laboratory activities, the structures of cell components and
their role in processes that occur within the cell;
Demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to molecular genetics, and how
genetics is applied in industry and agriculture.
E. Homeostasis
 Evaluate the impact on the human body of selected chemical substances and of
environmental factors related to human activity;
 Investigate the feedback mechanisms that maintain homeostasis in living
organisms;
 Demonstrate an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of human body
systems, and explain the mechanisms that enable the body to maintain
homeostasis.
F. Population Dynamics
 Analyse the relationships between population growth, personal consumption,
technological development, and our ecological footprint, and assesses the
effectiveness of some Canadian initiatives intended to assist expanding
populations;
 Investigate the characteristics of population growths, and use models to calculate
the growth of populations within an ecosystem;
 Demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to population growth, and
explain the factors that affect the growth of various populations of species
Course Content:
Biochemistry
Metabolic Processes
Molecular Genetics
Homeostasis
Population Dynamics
20 hours*
20 hours*
25 hours*
25 hours *
20 hours*
*These times are approximate.
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 (30%)
Evaluation may include quizzes, homework checks, tests, problem sets,
assignments, facts, terms, concepts, applications, etc.
Communication (25%)
Evaluation may be based on laboratory reports, written reports, essays, oral
presentations, in-class questions and answers, terminology, student-teacher
conferences, etc.
Thinking and Inquiry (25%)
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.
Applications (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**
Biochemistry
Task
Technological Application of
Biochemistry
Biochemistry Quiz
Biochemistry Inquiry
Unit Test
Achievement Chart
Focus
K&U
T/I
C
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Time of
Assessment
X
X
Metabolic Processes
Task
Role of Metabolic Processes Assignment
Cellular Respiration Quiz
Cell Energetics Inquiry
Photosynthesis Quiz
Unit Test
Achievement Chart
Focus
K&U
T/I
C
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Time of
Assessment
Molecular Genetics
Task
Achievement Chart
Focus
K&U
T/I
C
A
Time of
Assessment
Genetic Research and Biotechnology
Issues Assignment
DNA Replication Quiz
Molecular Genetics Inquiry
Protein Synthesis Quiz
Unit Test
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Homeostasis
Task
Impact of chemical/environmental
factors on homeostasis Assignment
Renal Physiology Quiz
Homeostasis Inquiry
Nervous/Endocrine Quiz
Unit Test
Achievement Chart
Focus
K&U
T/I
C
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Time of
Assessment
Population Dynamics
Task
Global Ecological Issues and Canadian
initiatives Assignment
Population Growth Inquiry
Unit Test
** Above tasks subject to minor changes.
Achievement Chart
Focus
K&U
T/I
C
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Time of
Assessment
30% Grade Based on Course-Culminating Activities
All students will write a final exam.
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 is evaluated by the end of the course. Midterm reports will be
sent home with the students approximately half way through the semester.