Courses

   Courses Offered:

• Writing Skills for Academic Study
• University Prep Chemistry
• Math 0010.00: Pre-Calculus
• Math 0011.00: Pre-Calculus Plus (Mathematics for Calculus)
• Math 0009.00: Academic Math
• Physics 0010.00: University Prep Physics

   Writing Skills for Academic Study

This course teaches the writing and composition skills needed for successful university study and is intended for students with English as a first language. This course is accepted by Dalhousie University in place of NS Grade 12 English to prepare you for the writing demands in all university level courses.

What will I learn?

You will learn to:

• write effectively structured, coherent paragraphs
• write essays using conventional techniques for gathering material, choosing a topic, forming a thesis statement, preparing an out-line, writing the first draft, editing and revising
• use various methods of developing paragraphs and essays, for example narration, description, cause and effect, argument and per-suasion
• read critically, assessing authors’ ideas and techniques; basic aspects of grammar and style will also be reviewed.

How will the course be structured?

Class time will include lecture, writing, exercises, peer review, and group discussion. Expect to allocate a minimum of 3 hours for every hour in the classroom to complete assignments. Evaluation will be based on two tests and seven writing assignments.

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   University Prep Chemistry

University Prep Chemistry is designed for students who have never taken chemistry, or who want to improve their knowledge before taking a university chemistry course. Designed in consultation with professors in the Dalhousie Chemistry Department, this course is accepted by Dalhousie in place of NS Grade 12 Chemistry and may be used as the prerequisite for all Dalhousie first-year Chemistry classes. 

Prerequisite: None

What will I learn?

You will gain a solid foundation in the subject by learning the major concepts of Grade 11 and 12 chemistry. Topics include:

• atomic theory
• chemical bonding
• balancing chemical equations
• chemical equilibria
• chemical calculations
• periodic law
• nomenclature
• oxidation and reduction
• acids and bases

How will the course be structured?

You should be prepared to spend a minimum of 3 hours for every hour of class time in order to learn the material and to complete exercises. There is no laboratory work.

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   Math 0010.00: Pre-Calculus

This single term accelerated course has been designed for calculus bound students, who have a firm grasp of grade 11 and 12 math skills. Focus is placed on pre-calculus key concepts, assuming students have current knowledge of grade 11 and 12 math concepts. Students requiring review of grade 11 and 12 concepts should take Pre-Calculus Plus (Math 0011.00). Topics are explored in class following a clear, logical progression, with mastery generally occurring after assignments are completed.

Prerequisite: Recommend at least 80% in grade 11 and 12 math. We encourage you to complete our complimentary math diagnostic. This will assist us to identify your current math strengths.

What will I learn?

In this course you will:

• develop the definition of a derivative, using limits, and use it to find the derivative of linear, quadratic, radical, and rational functions (applying the Power Rule to help sketch polynomial functions)
• investigate and use transformations to sketch such functions as absolute value, radical and trigonometric
• explore the composition, decomposition and inverse of functions and their respective domains
• study rational functions, including asymptotes and table of signs
• exponential and logarithmic functions using base “e” are explored and used to solve equations
• using radian measure, learn about trigonometric identities, and apply them in solving trig equations
• explore area under the curve

At least 2-3 hours for every hour of class time is required to complete assignments.

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   Physics 0010.00: University Prep Physics
University Prep Physics is designed for students who have never taken physics, or who want to improve their knowledge before taking a university physics course. Throughout the course, the emphasis will be on improving students’ problem solving skills. Designed in consultation with professors in the Dalhousie Physics Department, successful completion of this non-credit course will be accepted as the pre-requisite for Physics 1100 or Physics 1300 by Dalhousie University.
 
Prerequisite: Completion of NS Math 12 Pre-Calculus or minimum grade of 70% in NS Math Academic.
 
What will I learn?

• University level problem-solving techniques
• One and two dimensional motion
• Newton’s Laws, Forces
• Centre of mass
• Rotation and torques
• Simple harmonic motion
• Waves
• Electrostatic forces and potentials