Department of Science and Technological Studies

Department Head: Scott Skemer

This department has various science and technology courses, for all grade levels. There are two core, mandatory science courses in grade 9 and 10, followed by a more diversified selection in grades 11 and 12. Bell has four science classrooms equipped with lab facilities.

Bell also offers several courses in construction, transportation technology, communications technology and computer engineering, as well as courses in technological design and exploring technologies. We have two wood workshops, a fully-equipped garage, a drafting studio, two computer labs and a drafting lab fully dedicated to this department.

Science

All students are required to complete at least two science courses before graduating. These courses are usually Grade 9 and Grade 10 Science. In Grade 9 Science, students will learn important concepts in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Earth and Space Science. Topics include electricity, the structure of atoms, molecular bonds, the periodic table, cell structure and division, and basic topics in astronomy. Students have the option of taking Grade 9 science both the academic and applied streams, as well as in gifted, French Immersion, and ESL.

Grade 10 science follows a logical continuation from grade 9 science. It covers new topics in physics, chemistry and biology. Students will learn about kinematics, ecology (including climate change), optics and chemical reactions. Bell offers academic, applied, gifted, French Immersion and ESL versions of this course.

University-preparation Courses

Science course offerings branch significantly in Grade 11 with the introduction of Grade 11 University Preparation Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate courses. In Biology, students learn about circulation, digestion, respiration, genetics and evolution. Chemistry (also offered as a gifted and French Immersion course) teaches more advanced topics, such as radioactivity, polyatomic ions, and the concept of a mole. In Physics (also offered as a gifted course), students learn about classical mechanics (Newton's laws), relationships between electricity and magnetism, and sound.

In Grade 12, Bell offers continuations of the respective Grade 11 university-preparation science courses. Grade 12 Biology focuses on biochemistry, metabolic processes, molecular genetics, homeostasis, and population dynamics. Grade 12 Chemistry covers organic chemistry, rates of reaction, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, and atomic structure. In Grade 12 Physics (also offered as a gifted course), students will learn more about dynamics, electricity, magnetism, gravity and the relationship between energy and matter. In Grade 12, Bell also offers Earth and Space Science, which will investigate Earth's place is space, and the various systems that exist on our planet.

Bell also offers a two-year AP preparation program in Physics, for students interested in academic enrichment or in taking the AP Physics B Exam in Grade 12.

Other Streams

Bell offers Grade 11 College-Preparation Biology for students, where students will focus on concrete applications of cellular biology, anatomy, plant structure and environmental science. We also offer Grade 12 College-Preparation Chemistry, which will teach students the foundations of modern chemistry, including chemical reactions, organic chemistry, and chemistry and the environment. Lab skills and hands-on experience are emphasized in both courses.

Technological Studies

In Grade 9, students can take Exploring Technologies, which will introduce students to the design of products, safety standards and workshop tools. Students will receive an introduction to computer-aided design as well as to the workshop environment.

Beginning in Grade 10, students can take Transportation Technologies, which will introduce students to the modern transportation system and the function of major vehicle components. This course continues as a college-level course in Grade 11 where students will learn how to design, construct and modify vehicles. In Grade 12, students will investigate career opportunities in this sector and learn the skills to work with complex land, marine and air vehicles, as well as receive a more intimate knowledge about the inner workings of a car.

Bell's Communications Technology program introduces students to the world of media and design. In Grade 10, students will learn about the modern media network, in print, television and radio. Students will also learn about photography, audio and film production. In Grade 11, the mixed-level course furthers student's understanding in various mediums including photography, film, broadcast journalism and interactive media. Finally, in Grade 12, students will create, manage, and distribute complex electronic, graphic, recorded, or audio-visual projects independently and in project teams.

We also offer two courses in Computer Engineering. As opposed to the Computer Science courses we offer, these courses focus on the hardware components of the computer and fundamental computer logic, with less emphasis on pure programming. In Grade 11, students will learn about the key concepts behind computers, as well as investigate into programming, electronics, robotics and networking. In Grade 12, students will gain a higher understanding of computer interfaces, peripherals and networking, as well as the installation of computer hardware and software.

Courses

Science Courses

  • SNC1D - Science (Academic) (grade 9)
  • SNC1DF - Science (Academic, Fr.) (grade 9)
  • SNC1DG - Science (Academic, Gifted) (grade 9)
  • SNC1DI - Science (Academic, Fr. Gifted) (grade 9)
  • SNC1DS - Science (Academic, ESL) (grade 9)
  • SNC1PS - Science (Applied, ESL) (grade 9)
  • SNC2D - Science (Academic) (grade 10)
  • SNC2DF - Science (Academic, Fr.) (grade 10)
  • SNC2DG - Science (Academic, Gifted) (grade 10)
  • SNC2DS - Science (Academic, ESL) (grade 10)
  • SNC2P - Science (Applied) (grade 10)
  • SNC2PS - Science (Applied, ESL) (grade 10)
  • SBI3C - Biology (College) (grade 11)
  • SBI3U - Biology (University) (grade 11)
  • SCH3U - Chemistry (University) (grade 11)
  • SCH3UF - Chemistry (University, Fr.) (grade 11)
  • SCH3UG - Chemistry (University, Gifted) (grade 11)
  • SPH3U - Physics: (University) (grade 11)
  • SPH3UG - Physics: (University, Gifted) (grade 11)
  • SBI4U - Biology (University) (grade 12)
  • SCH4C - Chemistry (College) (grade 12)
  • SCH4U - Chemistry (University) (grade 12)
  • SES4U - Science: Earth and Space Science (grade 12)
  • SPH4U - Physics (University) (grade 12)
  • SPH4UG - Physics: (University, Gifted) (grade 12)

Technology Courses

  • TIJ1O - Integrated Tech (grade 9)
  • TCJ2O - Construction Tech (grade 10)
  • TDJ2O - Technological Design (grade 10)
  • TEE2O - Computer Engineering Tech (grade 10)
  • TGJ2O - Communications Tech (grade 10)
  • TTJ2O - Transportation Tech (grade 10)
  • TCJ3C - Construction Tech (grade 11)
  • TDJ3M - Technological Design (grade 11)
  • TEJ3M - Computer Engineering Technology (grade 11)
  • TGJ3M - Communications Tech (grade 11)
  • TTJ3C - Transportation Tech (grade 11)
  • TCJ4C - Construction Tech (grade 12)
  • TDJ4M - Technological Design (grade 12)
  • TEJ4M - Computer Engineering Technology (grade 12)
  • TGJ4M - Communications Tech (grade 12)
  • TTJ4C - Transportation Tech (grade 12)