Curriculum Coordinator and Learning Strategist

Cheryl Richardson

B.Sc., OCT

SPH4U

Grade 12

University Preparation

Physics (SPH4U) Online Course

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

SPH4U

Grade 12

University Preparation

Physics (SPH4U) Online Course

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

Course Details

Course Code

SPH4U

Course Name

Physics (SPH4U) Online Course

Grade

Grade 12

Course Type

University Preparation

Format

Asynchronous Delivery

Prerequisite

Physics, Grade 12, University Preparation

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

July 2026

Curriculum

SPH4U – The Ontario Curriculum, Science, Grades 11 and 12, 2008 (revised)

Course Description, Unit Overview, Timeline

This course enables students to deepen their understanding of the concepts and theories of physics. Students will continue their exploration of energy transformations and the forces that affect motion and will investigate electrical, gravitational, and magnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. Students will also explore the wave nature of light, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. They will further develop their scientific investigation skills, learning, for example, how to analyze, qualitatively and quantitatively, data related to a variety of physics concepts and principles. Students will also consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment.

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: Forces and Motion

Dive into the exciting world of forces and motion. Study how objects move and interact by conducting virtual labs using PhET Interactive Simulations. Analyze forces in pulleys and inclined planes, and understand real-world applications. Activities include simulations and auto-graded quizzes.

18 Hours

Unit 2: Energy and Momentum

Explore the conservation laws of energy and momentum. Investigate collisions, the relationship between work, energy, and power, and see how these concepts apply to everyday situations. Engage in virtual experiments and auto-graded quizzes using PhET simulations.

14 Hours

Unit 3: Fields in Our Lives

Uncover the fascinating properties and interactions of gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields. Use simulations to model field interactions, analyze particle motion, and understand electromagnetism’s role in modern technology. Activities include interactive simulations and quizzes.

18 Hours

Unit 4: Light and Waves

Examine the wave nature of light, including interference, diffraction, and polarization. Conduct virtual labs to investigate light behavior through different media and understand phenomena like rainbows and optical fibers. Activities include self-assessed labs and auto-graded quizzes.

15 Hours

Unit 5: Quantum Mysteries

Enter the world of quantum mechanics and explore the dual nature of light and matter. Understand quantum states and probability through simulations, and analyze phenomena such as the photoelectric effect. Activities include interactive simulations and self-assessed quizzes.

13 Hours

Unit 6: Relativity and Beyond

Investigate the mind-bending principles of special relativity, focusing on time dilation, length contraction, and relativistic momentum and energy. Use simulations to grasp how relativity affects our understanding of space and time. Activities include self-assessed quizzes and interactive simulations.

10 Hours

Unit 7: Physics in Action

Engage in hands-on physics projects that focus on modern advancements and technologies. Research, present, and discuss the societal and technological impacts of recent physics discoveries. Design and conduct experiments using virtual labs. Activities include project presentations and self-assessment.

12 Hours

Unit 8: Review and Exam Preparation

Integrate and review all course concepts through engaging review sessions and practice exams. Prepare for the final exam with comprehensive activities that consolidate your learning. Activities include self-assessed projects and practice exams.

8 Hours

Final Exam/Culminating Task

Demonstrate your understanding of all course topics in a comprehensive final exam. The proctored exam will last for 2 hours and is worth 30% of your final grade.

2 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 student’s 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.

At Royal Ontario Academy, the final mark in every course is made up of three parts:

65% is based on coursework completed throughout the online course.
25% is based on a final evaluation.
10% is based on attendance and participation, reflecting consistent weekly engagement with the course.

Depending on the course, the final evaluation may be a proctored written exam, a culminating task such as a project, essay, or presentation, or a combination of both. Attendance and participation reflects how consistently a student engages with their learning each week, and excused absences approved by the Principal do not lower this part of the mark.

Students will receive two reports per course:

First Report (Midterm): Issued when the student reaches the halfway point of the course. It reflects achievement and development to that point, including attendance and participation.
Final Report: Reflects overall achievement and development for the entire course, including attendance and participation.

This course follows the current Growing Success requirements, including the mandatory assessment and evaluation updates that take effect in the 2026-2027 school year. According to Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools, 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, Metis, 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 course and at other appropriate points throughout the 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 student’s 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 student’s 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

Students should come prepared with:

Scientific Calculator:Essential for solving physics problems and performing calculations.
Lab Notebook: Digital or physical for recording observations, data, and analysis during virtual labs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is SPH4U?
SPH4U is the Ontario course code for Physics, Grade 12, University Preparation. It is a Grade 12 science course that develops students’ understanding of motion, forces, energy, fields, waves, and modern physics.

2. What does 4U mean in SPH4U?
The 4U in SPH4U refers to the grade level and course type. The number 4 indicates that the course is designed for Grade 12 students, and the letter U indicates that it is a University Preparation course.

3. What is the prerequisite for SPH4U?
The prerequisite for Physics is Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation.

4. How long does it take to complete the SPH4U online course?
The completion of the SPH4U course varies depending on the pace of each student. However, the course can be completed in as little as 4 weeks up to a maximum of 6 months. Longer timelines are available on approval by the Principal.

5. Will my marks be sent directly to OUAC or OCAS?
Yes. We can send your SPH4U online course marks to OUAC (Ontario University’ Application Centre) or OCAS (Ontario College Application Service).

6. How lessons are delivered for the SPH4U?
At Royal Ontario Academy, course learning is asynchronously delivered for the SPH4U 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.

Canadian Course Pricing

$500

/ 1 course

$900

/ 2 courses

$1275

/ 3 courses

Start your learning journey with us.

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Physics (SPH4U) Online Course