Science credits

[Mumkins]

I am just looking through the sciences.

In Ontario, grade 9 and 10 are integrated science courses, giving kids a good foundation. I'm liking the integrated physics and chemistry for that. grade 11 you would take separate chemistry, biology and physics courses, each 1 semester long. You would take it again more in depth and cover more topics again in grade 12. Each course is 110 hours for 1 credit. On;y 9 and 10 are mandatory credits. Courses are available in general or advanced.

How does that compare to HOD and/or US science? I'm wondering since we take a semester only and have the option of doing all three each year. How many hours make a credit?

[LynnH]

In the US one credit is usually either 120 or 140 credits depending on who you talk to and what the course is. The lab sciences usually are around the 140 credit hours. The typical sequence is a year of Physical Science , a year of Biology, a year of Chemistry and then the 4th year some take Physics and others focus on whatever science they are drawn to.

[Mumkins]

I guess my problem will be showing that they took an advanced course, if they need sciences as you take it in 11 and then again in 12. So far only my oldest knows what she wants to do. Her only pre-req is 12 English and 12 math is suggested. That's another area I don't really know what to do about. Our math is integrated. There's no algebra, geometry, etc. specific courses. Just 10 math, 11 math, etc. Though their is options to specialize, such as business math. Stuff like that.

[StephanieU]

So, in the US, Biology and physical science are the 9th and 10th grade options. Those together I think would be very similar to what they offer in Canada. Then Chemistry, Physics, and anything else is "advanced." Physics definitely is considered advanced, as would Biology 2, Anatomy and Physiology, etc.

For math, some schools do integrated math. That is Geometry, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2 (offered as Integrated Math 1, 2, and 3). Beyond those is "advanced" math - pre calculus, statistics, business math, etc. So, if your kids complete those three courses, they would be equivalent to 3 years of integrated math most likely.