Science

Departmental Statement

The goal of the Science Department at AIS is to prepare students to meet the demands of an advancing technological world. We are committed to strengthening our students’ knowledge and appreciation of Science, so they can both contribute to and benefit from the ever-advancing technological and scientific world.

During the course of learning Science, students will acquire and continually develop skills that enable them to become competent and independent thinkers, enabling them to solve problems in a logical way. Students will become more aware of the social, economic, environmental and technological applications of Science in today’s world.

Students will be provided with appropriate and challenging scientific experiences, which will prepare them for future academic studies and career development.

Course Selection

To receive a diploma, a student must successfully complete at least three High School Science credits. Students entering High School at Grade 9 follow a General Science course that is designed to build on the program they covered in Middle School.

After successful completion of General Science, students have the option of Biology and Physics & Chemistry at Grade 10. In Grade 11, Environmental Science is offered, with Chemistry, Physics and Human Biology available in Grade 12. However, it is possible for Science courses to be taken in any order, provided students meet the respective course prerequisites.

Mapping the Science Program

Course Description

This General Science course will enable students to investigate and analyze scientific principles and their effects on our everyday life.  It presents and develops all major scientific themes by encouraging critical thinking through the use of the scientific process.  This is a mandatory course. The concepts and skills developed are essential for basic literacy and further science study.

Learner Outcomes

Students should be able to:

• Develop an understanding of the major themes of science to include: Reproduction, Photosynthesis and Respiration, Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Bonding, Forces and Motion, Earth and Space
• Develop skills in laboratory work, problem solving and critical thinking
• Develop an appreciation of the roles of scientific principles in everyday life.

Assessment

The course is assessed according to the following breakdown:

Course Description

This course is designed to build upon the skills and concepts learned in SGS1C.  All three major disciplines of science are covered during the course, and many students will advance from this course into the specialized Honors courses.  Students will be encouraged to further develop their critical thinking skills and apply their knowledge gained into unique situations and real-world scenarios.

Learner Outcomes

Students should acquire knowledge and develop an understanding of:

• Scientific methods, including planning scientific investigations and writing high-quality lab reports
• Refine and further develop problem solving and critical thinking skills
• The importance of critical and reflective learning strategies
• Develop an understanding of the following themes: Ecology, The Body’s Molecules, Genetics, Molar Relationships, Reactions, Electricity and Magnetism, Waves and Optics

Assessment

The course is assessed according to the following breakdown:

Course Description

This course is designed for students who wish to continue their investigations into the three central disciplines of science, but are not yet prepared for the Honors course in any individual subject.  This course is designed to extend the principles covered in SCI1C and SCI2C and encourage further inquiry, critical thinking and reflective skills to ensure students will succeed in any Honors science course.

Learner Outcomes

Students should acquire knowledge and develop an understanding of:

• Chemistry theories, laws, concepts, and chemical phenomena
• The use of scientific language and terminology
• Chemistry applications in real life situations
• The general nature of key ideas common to all areas of physics – light, heat, mechanics and sound
• The application of physical laws to a variety of physical systems
• Practical details of experiments related to various topics in physics

Assessment

The course is assessed according to the following breakdown:

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the interrelationships of the natural world and an appreciation of how the Earth operates as a complex system. Students focus on the relationship between people and the environment, identify and evaluate associated environmental problems, and discuss possible solutions. They also learn to appreciate the structure of our environment and how fragile it becomes, due to human activities.

Students expand upon basic scientific concepts and further develop analytical and critical thinking skills. Laboratory and fieldwork are an important part of the course. Students study the diversity of ecosystems such as the mangroves in Hong Kong and the impact of human activities on such ecosystems. Fieldwork allows students to practice skills in problem solving, experimental design, and interpreting data beyond the confines of the classroom.

Learner Outcomes

Students should acquire knowledge and develop an understanding of:

• The Earth as a physical system and our place in the living world.
• The vast number interactions between biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.
• The impact of human activity on the environment and its relation to population size, economic factors and industrial requirements.
• The topical environmental issues such as conservation and management of resources.

Assessment

The course is assessed according to the following breakdown:

Course Description

The objectives of this course are to expose students to the empirical world, develop curiosity, and make scientific investigations through Chemistry. This course prepares students to observe objectively, solve problems, and to think scientifically and independently as well as to make rational inferences. Students are encouraged to develop skills in interpreting experimental data and observations, communicate and process write using the language of Chemistry, make decisions and value the decisions of others. Students engage in projects, laboratory investigations, individual assignments and presentations.

Learner Outcomes

Students should acquire knowledge and develop an understanding in:

• Chemistry theories, laws, concepts, and chemical phenomena
• The use of Chemistry language and terminology
• Chemistry applications in real life situation

Assessment

The course is assessed according to the following breakdown:

Course Description

This course examines how life adapts and responds to environmental conditions, both within a single lifetime and over the history of life on Earth.  Students will investigate the major biological principles and theories that relate to these concepts in a wide variety of methods, including independent and group investigations, laboratory exercises, classroom discussions, peer education, and others.  Students will further refine their laboratory investigation skills.  This course is a prerequisite to AP Biology.

Learner Outcomes

Students should acquire knowledge and develop an understanding of:

• The basic chemistry of life
• Evolution
• Homeostasis
• Plant and animal anatomy and physiology
• Classification
• Population Dynamics

Assessment

The course is assessed according to the following breakdown:

Course Description

The objectives of this course are to explain the physical world and provide mathematical models and formulae necessary for a thorough understanding of senior High School Physics. Students will study the fundamental laws of nature, its theories and concepts.

Students engage in discussions, group work, laboratory experiments, independent research, and presentation of projects. Resources include graphic calculators, videos, the Internet, and others.

Learner Outcomes

Students should acquire knowledge and develop understanding of:

• The general nature of key ideas common to all areas of Physics – the laws of conservation and mathematical methods are emphasized.
• The application of physical laws to a variety of physical systems.
• Practical details of experiments related to various topics in Physics.

Assessment

The course is assessed according to the following breakdown:

Course Description

This course prepares students for the Advancement Placement (AP) Physics B examination and is designed to develop students’ ability to interpret and apply their knowledge of physics both qualitatively and quantitatively. The objective of the course is to enable students develop a deeper understanding of the principle concepts in Newtonian Mechanics, Thermal Physics, Electricity & Magnetism, Waves & Optics as well Atomic and Nuclear Physics. Through extensive application of mathematics, this course emphasizes the breadth of the students understanding of the key principles in Physics and their applications.

Learner Outcomes

Students should be able to:

• Show a deep understanding of the main theoretical concepts in the main strands of Physics.
• Describe physical laws and apply key ideas to various physical systems.
• Construct and use physical models and explain their limitations.
• Demonstrate through laboratory and research work, the essential skills to design experiments and work independently.
• Use mathematical reasoning to solve problems that may require the application of single of multiple physical concepts.
• Analyze, interpret, infer, extrapolate and communicate the results of observations; including making an assessment of experimental uncertainties.

Assessment

The assessment of this course includes a mock examination, periodic unit tests and quizzes. Student’s problem solving skills will be assessed regularly through laboratory experiments and research projects. Class participation and presentations will also be assessed.

Course Description

This course is intended for students who wish to study Biology at a level comparable to a first year college course.  It is a comprehensive survey of general biology that includes biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular genetics and heredity, biotechnology, diversity, structure and function of organisms, ecology and evolution, and links these topics into a unified conceptual framework.  Hands-on projects and experimental lab exercises are a vital part of this experience. Students will be asked to take on a great deal of responsibility for their own learning.  Certain sections of the course will not be covered during class but will be assigned as vacation reading over winter and spring break.  Students are required to take the AP Biology exam at the end of the course.

Learner Outcomes

Students should be able to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of biological concepts and themes learnt in previous courses.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principle concepts within the following topics: molecular and cellular characteristics of living things, structure and function in plants and animals, genetics, evolution, plant and animal diversity and principles of classification, ecological relationships and animal behavior.
• The students should be able to see the place of each topic covered within the broader context of unifying themes.
• Develop the background and skills needed to succeed in college level Biology classes and begin developing a foundation upon which to build future scientific endeavors.

Assessment

Students will be required to take a mandatory mock exam in April. Grading will be based upon AP-level essays, core laboratories and unit tests throughout the year. After the AP exam students will work on extended project/portfolio/design work.