Science 30 study plan
Science 30 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Living Systems Respond to Their Environment & Chemistry and the Environment
Map the Living Systems domain into four subtopics (energy/nutrients, response to stimuli, homeostasis, environmental change) and rate your confidence in each on a 1-5 scale
Diagram how photosynthesis and cellular respiration move carbon and energy between organisms and the abiotic environment, labeling inputs and outputs
Trace the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles and list two human activities that overload each one
Define carrying capacity, limiting factors, and population growth curves, then sketch logistic versus exponential growth
Your checkpoint
A one-page concept map linking photosynthesis, respiration, and the carbon/nitrogen/phosphorus cycles, plus a written confidence table for all four Living Systems subtopics
Living Systems Respond to Their Environment & Chemistry and the Environment
Explain how bioaccumulation and biomagnification concentrate fat-soluble pollutants up a food chain, using a numeric example
Distinguish between a bioindicator and a biomarker, and identify one Canadian example of each
Describe how acid deposition forms and predict its effect on soil chemistry and aquatic organisms
Calculate a simple trophic-level concentration factor given input data
Your checkpoint
Five solved practice problems on biomagnification and concentration factors, with full worked reasoning written out for each
Chemistry and the Environment
Classify common air pollutants (SO2, NOx, CO, particulates, ground-level ozone) by source and environmental effect
Write and balance combustion equations for a hydrocarbon and identify the products that become pollutants
Explain photochemical smog formation step by step and state the conditions that worsen it
Interpret a pH scale and calculate pH from hydrogen ion concentration for three sample values
Your checkpoint
A two-column pollutant reference sheet (source, effect, mitigation) covering at least eight pollutants, checked against your notes for accuracy
Chemistry and the Environment & Electromagnetic Energy
Explain the greenhouse effect in terms of incoming shortwave and outgoing longwave radiation
Compare the relative contribution of CO2, CH4, and N2O to radiative forcing and describe why residence time matters
Describe how CFCs deplete stratospheric ozone and why the Montreal Protocol is considered a success
Solve three dilution or concentration problems using C1V1 = C2V2
Your checkpoint
A timed 25-question mixed set on Chemistry and the Environment scored out of 25, with every missed item rewritten as a corrected statement
Electromagnetic Energy
Label the electromagnetic spectrum in order of wavelength and energy, and state which regions drive ozone formation versus the greenhouse effect
Distinguish between absorption, reflection, scattering, and transmission using a concrete example of each
Explain the difference between natural and enhanced greenhouse warming with reference to energy balance
Describe how ozone absorbs UV and predict the biological consequences of increased UV-B exposure
Your checkpoint
An annotated electromagnetic spectrum diagram with at least eight labelled interactions between specific wavelength bands and environmental processes
Electromagnetic Energy & Energy and the Environment
Trace the path of solar energy from insolation to useful electrical output and identify two efficiency losses at each stage
Compare passive solar, photovoltaic, wind, and hydroelectric systems on efficiency, intermittency, and environmental footprint
Explain the difference between energy and power and convert between joules, watts, and kilowatt-hours
Interpret a simple energy-flow (Sankey-style) diagram and calculate overall efficiency
Your checkpoint
Six calculation problems on energy, power, and efficiency, each solved with units carried through to the final answer
Energy and the Environment
Compare fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables on energy density, emissions, land use, and waste streams
Describe how a thermal power plant converts fuel energy to electricity and calculate its efficiency from input and output values
Explain the environmental consequences of resource extraction and transportation, including one Canadian case study you can describe from memory
Evaluate a policy trade-off (for example carbon pricing or a renewable portfolio standard) using at least three criteria
Your checkpoint
A written 300-word evaluation of one energy policy option, scored against three self-defined criteria with a justified recommendation
Living Systems Respond to Their Environment & Chemistry and the Environment & Electromagnetic Energy & Energy and the Environment
Complete two full-length timed practice exams under exam conditions and record raw scores by domain
Rank your four domains by weakest performance and re-teach the two lowest using your own notes only
Build a one-page formula and key-term sheet covering all four domains for final review
Practice at least ten written-response items, focusing on explanation and calculation items rather than recall
Your checkpoint
A completed score-tracking sheet showing both practice exam results by domain, plus a one-page consolidated formula and key-term sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 70% on a 20-question self-made quiz covering Living Systems and the chemistry of pollutants; if below, redo the week 1 concept map before continuing
Week 4: Complete the 25-question Chemistry and the Environment set in under 40 minutes with at least 80% accuracy and no unresolved worked examples
Week 6: Solve energy and efficiency calculations with correct units on at least 5 of 6 problems without consulting notes
Week 8: Achieve at least 75% overall on the final timed practice exam, with no single domain below 65%