Curriculum Coordinator and Learning Strategist

Natasha Pomeroy

BEd, MEd

SBI3U

Grade 11

University Preparation

Biology

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

SBI3U

Grade 11

University Preparation

Biology

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

Course Details

Course Code

SBI3U

Course Name

Biology

Grade

Grade 11

Course Type

University Preparation

Format

Asynchronous Delivery

Prerequisite

Science, Grade 10, Academic

Tuition Fee

$500.00

Course Duration

At Your Own Pace (4 weeks to 12 months)

Credit Value

1.0

Availability

Start Anytime

Course Reviser/Developer

Dr. Karen McCloskey

Latest Revision Date

August 2024

Curriculum

SBI3U – The Ontario Curriculum, Science, Grades 11 and 12, 2008 (revised)

Course Description, Unit Overview, Timeline

This course furthers students’ understanding of the processes that occur in biological systems. Students will study theory and conduct investigations in the areas of biodiversity; evolution; genetic processes; the structure and function of animals; and the anatomy, growth, and function of plants. The course focuses on the theoretical aspects of the topics under study, and helps students refine skills related to scientific investigation.

Outlined below is a description of each unit, including what students will learn and the recommended hours for completion.

Unit Title & Description

Time Allocated

Unit 1: Biodiversity and Classification

Dive into the amazing world of biodiversity! Discover why variety matters at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels, and see how human activities shape life on Earth. Learn how scientists classify organisms with taxonomy, create and use dichotomous keys, and practice your skills with biological drawings. Explore exciting careers in biodiversity—from ecologists to Indigenous land stewards—and wrap it all up with a quiz to check your knowledge.

15 Hours

Unit 2: Evolution

Explore how life changes over time! Learn about natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, sexual selection, and speciation to see how new species form. Discover the evidence behind evolution, from fossils to DNA, and meet the scientists—past and present—who shaped our understanding, including Canadian researchers. You’ll also investigate human impacts like artificial selection and climate change, explore careers in evolutionary biology, and wrap it all up with a quiz to check your knowledge.

15 Hours

Unit 3: Genetic Processes

Unlock the code of life! Explore DNA, genes, and chromosomes to see how traits are stored and passed on. Learn how meiosis creates genetic variety, then use Mendel’s laws and Punnett squares to predict inheritance patterns. Dive into genetic disorders, from cystic fibrosis to Down syndrome, and discover modern technologies like CRISPR and gene therapy. Along the way, you’ll connect genetics to real-world innovations, Canadian contributions, and exciting careers—and finish with a quiz to test your skills.

15 Hours

Unit 4: Human Systems

Take a journey inside your body! Explore how the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems work together to keep you alive and balanced. Learn how your body responds to exercise, food, and stress—and what happens when things go wrong. Discover how technologies and Canadian innovations have transformed health care and explore careers from cardiology to biomedical engineering. You’ll finish the unit with interactive labs, hands-on activities, and a quiz to show what you’ve learned.

15 Hours

Unit 5: Plant Systems

Step into the world of plants and discover how they shape ecosystems, cultures, and our daily lives! Explore plant structures, tissues, and hormones to see how they grow, reproduce, and respond to their environment. Learn how plants support biodiversity, food systems, and sustainability, while meeting Canadian scientists and exploring plant-related careers. You’ll also connect science with culture through a sustainability project—and finish with a quiz to check your knowledge.

15 Hours

Unit 6: Human Impact on Ecosystems

See how humans shape the natural world—for better and worse! Explore how activities like habitat loss, pollution, and climate change affect biodiversity and ecosystem health, and discover how ecosystems support human wellbeing through essential services. Investigate conservation strategies, from Indigenous stewardship to satellite monitoring, and learn how science, culture, and policy work together to protect nature. You’ll also explore careers and Canadian contributions in conservation before completing your own eco-action plan—and wrap it all up with a quiz to show what you’ve learned.

15 Hours

Unit 7: Review and Application

Bring everything together! In this unit, you’ll revisit the major ideas from all six units—from biodiversity and evolution to genetics, human systems, plants, and human impacts on ecosystems. You’ll practice with vocabulary flashcards, concept reviews, and mini-quizzes to check your understanding. You’ll also prepare with a practice exam that mirrors the real one, so you feel confident and ready. Along the way, you’ll connect concepts, spot big-picture patterns, and get set to succeed on your final quiz.

10 Hours

Final Exam/Culminating Task

Show what you know! This comprehensive final exam will cover all the topics from the course. Make sure to review all your notes and assignments to ace this final challenge.

10 Hours

Total Hours

110 Hours

Teaching and Learning Strategies

At Royal Ontario Academy, our asynchronous, self-paced courses are crafted to engage students actively, encouraging deep learning and self-reflection. Our online OSSD courses are normally divided into 8-10 smaller sections to help students learn content in manageable portions. Lessons connect concepts to practical, relatable social, environmental, and economic issues, fostering lifelong learning by helping students apply knowledge to real-life contexts.

Students are encouraged to explore, investigate, and think critically as they progress independently. This approach emphasizes problem-solving skills, guiding students to persist through challenges, reason through complex ideas, and explore alternative solutions on their own, building resilience and independence essential for success beyond the classroom.

Our virtual high school courses provide a variety of learning experiences through virtual labs, simulations, knowledge checks, reflections, and videos. Interactive activities and discussion forums are designed to draw on students prior knowledge, keeping them engaged and actively participating. These tools enable OSSD students to practice, reflect, and apply concepts flexibly at their own pace, creating a personalized learning journey tailored to each students’ interests and goals.

Assessment and Evaluation

A wide variety of assessment and evaluation tools will be used to earn credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at Royal Ontario Academy including quizzes, tests, projects, essays, journals, and final assessments.
The final exam is a closed book, online test that is proctored and has a time limit. Students may also be required to appear on video for other assessments in certain courses.

All OSSD courses follow a simple evaluation breakdown at our virtual high school:
70% of the grade will be based on evaluations conducted throughout the online course. The remaining 30% of the grade will be based on a final evaluation or exam. This may be a final exam, a final project/report, or a combination of both an exam and a project.

Students will receive two reports per course:

First Mid Term Report: Reflects achievement and development after the first 4 Units.

Final Report: Reflects overall achievement and development for the entire course.

According to Growing Success First Edition, Grades 1 to 12, 2010, the primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. To ensure that assessment, evaluation, and reporting are valid and reliable, and that they lead to the improvement of learning for all students, Royal Ontario Academy teachers use practices and procedures that:

are fair, transparent, and equitable for all students;
support all students, including those with special education needs, those who are learning the language of instruction (English or French), and those who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit;
are carefully planned to relate to the curriculum expectations and learning goals and, as much as possible, to the interests, learning styles and preferences, needs, and experiences of all students;
are communicated clearly to students and parents at the beginning of the school year or course and at other appropriate points throughout the school year or course;
are ongoing, varied in nature, and administered over a period of time to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate the full range of their learning;
provide ongoing descriptive feedback that is clear, specific, meaningful, and timely to support improved learning and achievement;
develop students’ self-assessment skills to enable them to assess their own learning, set specific goals, and plan next steps for their learning.

Accommodations and IEP for Students

At Royal Ontario Academy, we believe that all OSSD students can benefit from a more accommodating online learning experience Accommodations allow for increased access to the course, without any changes to the knowledge and skills the student is expected to demonstrate.

An Individual Education Plan (IEP)is a personalized document that outlines a students’ learning needs, as well as the accommodations or services they require to succeed in their courses. At Royal Ontario Academy, our flexible online learning environment already addresses many common accommodation needs, but if a student requires additional support, our Principal is ready to help you!

– Students with Existing IEP: If a student has an existing IEP from another elementary or secondary school, Royal Ontario Academy can implement the listed accommodations, provided they are applicable within our online learning environment. To do so, a copy of the students’ IEP must be submitted to our Principal for review.

– Students Without IEP: If a student requires accommodations but does not currently have an IEP, our Principal will work with the student to assess their learning needs and develop a path forward. In this case, students will need to submit supporting documentation to help determine the appropriate accommodations.

– English Language Learners:– English Language Learners: Students who enroll at Royal Ontario Academy can provide information about their English language proficiency during the registration process. This information helps our teachers and Principal to tailor their teaching strategies and implement accommodations that support English language learners effectively.

For students and parents wishing to submit IEP documentation or request accommodations, please contact our Principal at info@royalontarioacademy.com

Resources Required by the Student

General Resources Students Should Have Access To

Scientific Calculator: Essential for performing calculations related to biology.
Lab Notebook: Digital or physical for recording observations, data, and analysis during virtual labs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is SBI3U?
SBI3U is a Grade 11 Biology course at University Preparation level.

2. What are 3U – (eg: 3U in AWQ3U (SBI3U))
3U for the SBI3U refers to the grade level and the course type. 3 refers to the 9th Grade and the second digit refers to the University Preparation course type.

3. What is the prerequisite for SBI3U?
The prerequisite for Biology is Science, Grade 10, Academic

4. How long does it take to complete the SBI3U online course?
The completion of the SBI3U course varies depending on the availability and pace of each student. However, the course can be completed in minimum of 4 weeks to maximum of 12 months.

5. Will my marks be sent directly to OUAC or OCAS?
Yes. We can send your SBI3U online course marks to OUAC (Ontario University’ Application Centre) or OCAS (Ontario College Application Service).

6. How lessons are delivered for the SBI3U?
At Royal Ontario Academy, course learning is asynchronously delivered for the SBI3U in various formats such as videos, question and answers, interactive tools, written notes, simulations, presentations, and external websites/links depending on the subject material of the course.

7. What is the withdrawal policy?
For students registered in Grade 9 and 10 courses, withdrawals can be made at any time and are not recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST).
For students registered in Grade 11 and 12 courses, withdrawals made within 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid-term) report card from Royal Ontario Academy will result in the mark not being recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). Withdrawals after 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid term) report card will result in a “”””W”””” being entered in the “”””Credit”””” column of the OST, along with the mark at the time of withdrawal.

8. What is the due date of my course?
Since your course is self-paced, there are no set due dates, allowing you to progress at your own speed. However, please be mindful of any deadlines for university or college applications.

9. Can I earn my OSSD (Ontario secondary school diploma) credits through online courses?
Yes, you can earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits fully online through Royal Ontario Academy. To earn OSSD credits, you will need to complete 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 optional), pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, and fulfill 40 hours of community involvement.

Course Pricing

$500

/ 1 course

$900

/ 2 courses

$1275

/ 3 courses

Start your learning journey with us.

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