Group 4: Experimental Sciences

Practical laboratory skills are developed and collaborative learning is encouraged through an interdisciplinary (physics, chemistry and biology) group project. Students develop an awareness of moral and ethical issues and a sense of social responsibility is fostered by examining local and global issues. Students may choose one of the following subjects to study for their diploma. 

IB Biology (Years 1 & 2)

IB Biology, Standard Level, covers the topics of ecology and evolution, cells and disease, genetics and biotechnology, nutrition and diet, cellular respiration and photosynthesis as well as the Provincial Biology 12 curriculum (BC Education Site - Biology curriculum)

Standard level Group 4 (science) courses require 40 hours of lab work done over the 2 years, so the lab component becomes a much larger part of the course than in the regular curriculum. Labs in the past have included something from each topic studied and also a field trip to the UBC biotechnology laboratory to do DNA fingerprinting.

IB Chemistry (Years 1 & 2)

Pre-requisite: grade of B or higher in Science 10 Honours and Math 10 Honours

This Higher Level course is particularly useful for students thinking of entering into the faculties of Science and Engineering.  The topics studied in Year 1 are Measurement Matter chemical equations, Stoichiometry, Gas Laws, Thermodynamics, Structure of the Atom, and Organic Chemistry. 

The second year of this course includes many lab activities as well as the Group 4 project.  The topics studied in Year 2 are Kinetics, Equilibrium, Solubility, Acid Base, Electrochemistry, Thermodynamics and Organic Chemistry.  The final mark in this course is based on practical classroom work and the IB exams at the end of the second year.

IB Physics (Years 1& 2)

This Higher Level course is useful for students thinking of entering into the faculties of Science and Engineering.  The topics studied in Year 1 of this course are Measurement and Uncertainties, Mechanics, Thermal Physics, and Wave Phenomena.