GRADE 10 COURSE

SNC2D

Science

This Grade 10 Academic Science course strengthens students’ understanding of biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, and physics, together with scientific investigation skills. Students study light optics, chemical reactions, climate change, and tissues, organs and systems.

1.0 Credit

Academic

110 hours of planned learning

Challenging Today. More Opportunities Tomorrow.

Grade

Credit

1.0

Delivery

Online

Prerequisite

SNC1W

About This Course

What You'll Learn

Plan, conduct, analyze and communicate scientific investigations and research.
Study cell division, specialization, tissues, organs and systems in animals and plants.
Investigate chemical reactions, including safety, environmental issues and ways of representing reactions.
Examine natural and human factors that influence climate and climate change.
Investigate the properties and behaviour of light, including reflection and refraction.
Explore science-related careers and contributions from scientists, including Canadians.

Skills You'll Develop

Scientific inquiry and research
Planning, performing, recording, analyzing and interpreting investigations
Data collection, graphing, error analysis and source evaluation
Scientific communication and evidence-based argument
Safe practical work, modelling and problem solving

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate scientific investigation skills in initiating/planning, performing/recording, analyzing/interpreting and communicating.
Identify science-related careers and contributions from scientists in the fields studied.
Evaluate and investigate biological systems and explain the organization of cells, tissues, organs and systems.
Analyze safety and environmental issues related to chemical reactions and demonstrate understanding of reaction principles and representations.
Analyze climate-change effects, investigate factors influencing climate and explain the greenhouse effect and other climate drivers.
Evaluate applications of light and investigate reflection and refraction in mirrors and lenses.
Apply scientific understanding to issues involving technology, society and the environment.

Course Units

The following reflects the school’s planned organization of the course. Approximate time allocations may be adjusted while all curriculum expectations and required planned learning are maintained.

Unit	Title / Major Learning Focus	Approx. Time
1	Physics: Light and Geometric Optics	27 hours
2	Chemistry: Chemical Reactions	27 hours
3	Earth and Space Science: Climate Change	27 hours
4	Biology: Tissues, Organs and Systems of Living Things	27 hours
Final	Mandatory Written Final Examination	2 hours

Assessment

Assessment uses evidence gathered over time from student work, conversations and observations. The final grade for 2026–2027 is determined as follows:

Component	Weight	How It Is Determined
Course work throughout the course	65%	Evaluation evidence gathered throughout the course, reflecting the student's most consistent level of achievement with special consideration for more recent evidence.
Mandatory written final examination	20%	Written final examination administered at or toward the end of the course, designed to provide evidence of comprehensive achievement.
Attendance and participation	15%	Based on the full body of evidence of meaningful engagement and participation in planned learning.

Examples of Assessment Evidence

Assessment may include scientific inquiries, research tasks, data collection and analysis, virtual laboratories and simulations, approved low-risk practical activities, oral explanations, tests and final evaluations.

Pathways

Students investigate science-related pathways and careers and connect inquiry, quantitative reasoning, communication, collaboration, problem solving, source evaluation and data-interpretation skills to a wide range of postsecondary programs.

The course also develops transferable skills that can be applied in other subjects, postsecondary learning, community contexts and future employment.

Teacher Support

Students learn through the school's secure online learning environment and receive ongoing support from qualified teachers.
Teacher-supported conferencing, tutorials and scheduled live support are available as appropriate.
Teachers use guided scientific inquiry, problem-based investigations, virtual laboratories, simulations and teacher demonstrations.
Explicit instruction supports concepts, calculations, scientific notation, graphs and scientific communication.
Students receive guidance with data collection, graphing, interpretation, error analysis and evaluating sources for reliability and bias.
Higher-risk laboratory work is replaced by teacher demonstration, simulation, video analysis or appropriately supervised settings; low-risk practical work uses teacher-approved materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the course code?

SNC2D — Science, Grade 10, Academic.

How many credits is SNC2D?

The course is worth 1.0 Ontario secondary school credit.

What is the prerequisite?

Grade 9 Science; the course outline identifies the current de-streamed pathway as SNC1W.

What topics are studied?

The course covers light and geometric optics, chemical reactions, climate change, and tissues, organs and systems of living things.

How is the final grade calculated?

65% course work, 20% mandatory written final examination, and 15% attendance and participation.

How are laboratory skills developed online?

Students use virtual laboratories, simulations, teacher demonstrations and approved low-risk practical activities. Higher-risk work is completed using alternatives such as simulation or teacher demonstration.

What careers connect to this course?

The course connects science skills to skilled trades, health sciences, engineering, technology, environmental fields and other science-related postsecondary programs.

Ready to Take This Course?

$549 / Credit

Need Help Deciding?

Not sure if this is the right course? Book a free 30-minute meeting with a CSW advisor.