SPH4U
BISHOP MACDONELL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Course Overview
Course Title: Grade 12 University Physics
Text:
Nelson – Physics 12
Teacher:
Course Code: SPH 4U
Credit Value: 1.0
*Hard copies of textbooks will be available to students during class time. Digital copies are
available for use on student devices and for home. Homework and assignments can be found on
the course website.
Course Description
This course enables students to deepen their understanding of physics concepts and theories.
Students will continue their exploration of energy transformations and the forces that affect
motion, and will investigate electrical, gravitational, and magnetic fields and electromagnetic
radiation. Students will also explore the wave nature of light, quantum mechanics, and special
relativity. They will further develop their scientific investigation skills, learning, for example,
how to analyse, qualitatively and quantitatively, data related to a variety of physics concepts and
principles. Students will also consider the impact of technological applications of physics on
society and the environment.
Prerequisite : Grade 11 University Physics
How This Course Supports the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
The study of any science helps students to learn to be reflective, critical, and creative thinkers, as
well as discerning believers, who can apply their knowledge to the world around them. They can
then make appropriate decisions in light of Gospel values and Church teachings. Through the
study of the techniques of science, particularly experimentation, students learn to be
collaborative contributors to an interdependent team, respecting the rights, responsibilities, and
contributions of others. Overall, students become aware of the spiritual, as well as the physical
dimension of the world and of the need to respect the environment and to use resources wisely in
order to fulfil their roles as stewards of God’s creation. As well, students are encouraged to make
the connection with elements of their faith culture with regards to the sacramental nature of the
physical environment and the mandate for responsible stewardship of the earth.
Course website
On the course website, students will have access to unit plans, notes, homework and
assignments, as well as helpful links related to course content. The website can be found
at:
SPH4U
Overall Expectations, Unit Titles and Time
Dynamics (23 hours)
 In this unit, students will investigate how forces acting upon an object affect its motion in
predictable and quantifiable ways. They will also be able to demonstrate how different
types forces determine the motion of an object. Connections will be made between the
theoretical understanding of dynamics and real world applications including
technological and biomechanical examples.
Energy and Momentum (20 hours)
 In this unit, students will be introduced to the laws of conservation of energy and
momentum and apply these laws to real world problems. Emphasis will be placed on the
mathematical relationships, which are used to describe and analyse interactions involving
the conservation of energy and momentum. Students will discuss the societal and
environmental effects of technological applications involving energy and momentum.
Electric and Magnetic Fields (23 hours)
 In this unit, students will gain a conceptual understanding of how gravitational, electric,
and magnetic forces act on matter across a distance. They will also explore the
similarities between gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields. Students will describe the
behaviour of matter in these fields by exploring mathematical relationships.
The Wave Nature of Light (22 hours)
 In this unit, students will draw on their understanding of electric and magnetic fields to
describe the wave nature to light. In addition students will be introduced to the properties
of mechanical waves. Students will also be able to describe the behaviour of light
mathematically and through hands-on activities.
Modern Physics: Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity (20 hours)
 In this unit, students will be able to explain how light exhibits both wavelike, and particle
like behaviour, and how particles can exhibit wavelike behaviour. Students will be able to
describe mathematically how light can behave as both a particle and a wave. Students
will also be introduced to relativistic motion and its mathematical description. They will
also learn that time is relative to the person’s frame of reference.
Assessment and Evaluation
Labs, assignments, and tests will be administered throughout the semester and will combine to
give the term mark. Please see the attached monthly plan for more detail and tentative dates.
Term Work (70%):
Knowledge and Understanding
Thinking/Inquiry/Problem Solving
Applications/Making Connections
Communications
20%
40%
30%
10%
Culminating Activity
Compulsory Final Exam
(30%)
30%
SPH4U
Throughout each unit, students will be given the opportunity to practice skills needed for
summative evaluations. These formative assignments may be in the form of homework, quizzes,
labs and research presentations. It is important that students complete formative work in
order to prepare them for summative evaluations.
Curriculum Policies
Students are expected to complete all evaluation activities. Labs and assignments will have a
clearly defined “window of opportunity” for submission (i.e. assignments will be accepted
between October 1st – 4th). LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
WITHOUT A LEGITIMATE REASON AND A NOTE OF EXPLANATION FROM
PARENTS/GUARDIANS!
Non-Legitimate Reasons:
When a student fails to complete as assessment or evaluation activity because of a non-legitimate
reason, an M will be recorded in the teacher records indicating that the activity was missed.
Examples of non-legitimate reasons include skipping class on the date an evaluation is to be
submitted, or failing to complete assignments because of poor time management skills.
Failure to complete assessment and evaluation activities reduces the body of evidence upon
which the teacher can evaluate the student achievement of curriculum expectations and could
jeopardize the granting of a credit for the course.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Academic honesty is expected of all students. In accordance with the Ontario Catholic School
Graduate Expectations, a student will achieve(s) excellence, originality, and integrity in one’s
own work and support these qualities in the work of others.
Cheating is a direct attempt to use another’s work as one’s own, an act of deliberate dishonesty.
Plagiarism is a form of cheating that is a serious, legal, ethical and academic offence, be it
intentional or unintentional.
Students have the responsibility to ensure that all work submitted is their own or appropriately
attributed to its source.
Extra Help
Extra help is available during lunch on Tuesday and Thursday in room 201. Alternate days/times
are available upon request. Students are strongly encouraged to monitor their own progress and
seek extra help as it is needed.
SPH4U
PARENT / GUARDIAN / STUDENT SIGNATURE;
The best way to contact me (parent/guardian) ________________________________ is
(Name)
 By email:______________________________________
(Address)
 By Phone: _______________________________________
(Number)
or
My signature below indicates that I have read and understood the course overview.
Student Signature:
_________________________________________
Date: __________________
Parent / Guardian Signature: _____________________________________
Date: __________________
This signed course overview document must be kept in the student notebook.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at the school 519 822 8502 or by email at
.