SBI3C – Grade 11 Biology Online Course (Ontario)

SBI3C is the Grade 11 College-preparation biology course, focusing on biology concepts with practical applications: cellular biology, microbiology, genetics, plants in the environment, and animal anatomy. It suits students planning college programs in health, science, or related fields.

The prerequisite for SBI3C is Grade 10 Science — either Academic (SNC2D) or Applied (SNC2P). That makes it accessible from both Grade 10 science pathways.

SBI3C (College) emphasizes practical applications and prepares students for college programs, while SBI3U (University) is more theoretical and is the prerequisite for SBI4U, which university programs require. If university health or life science is a possibility, take SBI3U; SBI3C fits college-bound plans.

SBI3C covers cellular biology, microbiology (bacteria, viruses, and their impacts), genetics and biotechnology applications, plants in the natural environment, and animal anatomy and physiology — with an emphasis on how biology applies in health care, agriculture, and everyday contexts.

SBI3C supports college pathways in practical nursing, health sciences, veterinary and animal care, horticulture, and community services. Many such programs recommend or require senior biology; confirm your target program’s specific requirements on OCAS.

SBI3C meets the Ministry of Education’s attendance and participation expectations through activities blended directly into the course. OES requires students to log in at least once per week for attendance, and participation activities appear throughout the course and are reflected in the grade book — preserving self-paced flexibility while satisfying the requirements for online courses.

Yes. Many students take SBI3C at OES to raise a mark for university or college applications — Ontario uses your highest grade for the course. The course is self-paced and open year-round, so you can retake it alongside your day-school timetable and finish in as little as 4 weeks.

Yes. Ontario students who started Grade 9 in the 2020–21 school year or later must earn at least two online learning credits to graduate, and SBI3C at OES — a Ministry-inspected online school (BSID #667186) — counts toward that requirement. An opt-out process exists through school boards, and specific provisions apply to students affected by the 2021 school closures.

Yes — science is one of Ontario’s STEM-related course groups (business studies, computer studies, cooperative education, mathematics, science, and technological education), from which students entering Grade 9 in 2024 or later must complete one credit. For math and science, the credit counts when earned in addition to your compulsory math and science credits, so SBI3C can double as your STEM-group credit.

Ontario’s Growing Success policy pre-determines the evaluation structure for every credit. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, SBI3C is graded on classroom work completed throughout the course (65%) plus a Ministry-mandated final evaluation worth 25% for Grades 11–12, with attendance and participation also reflected in the final grade. A credit is granted at 50% or higher — and as an inspected private school, OES may administer final evaluations online, while school-board online courses generally require in-person exam sittings.