Science
Key Stage 5
There is an extremely wide variety of employment opportunities for those interested in science. Career options range from a vast choice of medical opportunities through to employment in conservation and environmental projects. Those who study science can also, for example, go on to work as electronic, chemical or mechanical engineers, dieticians, technicians and research scientists. In fact science-based careers form one of the largest employment areas in the UK.
On offer are four A level courses, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Applied Science. Entrance on to these courses depends on GCSE programmes of study and attainment. Students taking triple science have access to all four courses, with GCSE Applied and BTEC diploma students having access to Applied science only. A level sciences allow students to develop essential skills for university, further study or the direct entry to a career. They will have opportunities to use practical science to collect data, analyse and evaluate it, investigate facts and use deduction, put over their point of view effectively and take responsibility for their own learning.
Below are further details regarding the courses on offer.
Biology - The Science of Life
Biology involves the study of a wide range of exciting topics, ranging from molecular biology to the study of ecosystems and from microorganisms to mammoths. Biology is never far from the headlines either. The human genome has been sequenced and we know the complete arrangement of the three thousand million bases that make up human DNA. In Kenya 350 people die every day from AIDS and in South East Asia the skies are dark with smoke as the last Bornean rainforests are burned to grow oil palms. Biologists are concerned with all these issues. They work in the fields of cell biology, medicine, food production and ecology... and the work they do is vital to us all.
Key learning topics
In the first year you’ll study three main topics: ‘Biology and disease’, ‘The variety of living organisms’, plus a practical assignment which is designed to assess your investigative skills. Amongst them, these three topics give a solid grounding in Biology. Year two helps you build on that firm foundation and, like year one, has two academic topics plus a practical assignment. The academic topics are ‘Populations and environment’, and ‘Control in cells and organisms’. The practical assignment is where you investigate a different area of Biology. Each of the four units is assessed through an external written exam.
On your marks ...
In the first year you’ll have three assessments. A 75 minute paper on ‘Biology and disease’ and accounts for 17% of your A Level marks. A 105 minute paper on ‘The variety of living organisms’ accounts for 23% of your A Level marks. The practical assignment – accounts for 10% of your A Level marks. Year two is almost identical. A 90 minute paper on ‘Populations and environment’ accounts for 17% of your A Level marks. A 135 minute paper on ‘Control in cells and organisms’ accounts for 23% of your A Level marks. The practical assignment – accounts for 10% of your A Level marks.
Where will success take me?
Biology is a great choice of subject for people who want a career in health and clinical professions, such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, physiotherapy, pharmacy, optometry, nursing, zoology, marine biology or forensic science.
Will it fit in my life?
Students who take Biology often also study from a wide range of subjects, including Psychology, PE, Chemistry, Physics, English, Business and Geography.
Chemistry
Chemists have greatly improved the quality of life for the majority of people. The A Level course is underpinned by the practical skills that are called ‘How Science Works’. You also find out how chemists are real innovators, designing solutions to the problems that affect modern life.
Key Learning
In the first year there are three learning units. In Unit 1 you’ll cover foundation subjects like atomic structure, periodicity and organic chemistry. Then in Unit 2 you’ll work up to topics like kinetics, alkenes and analytical techniques. Unit 3 happens throughout the year and is dedicated to investigative and practical skills. It’s ‘How Science Works’. Year two follows a similar format. Unit 4 introduces you to 17 topics, including equilibria, polymers and aromatic chemistry. Unit 5 covers thermodynamics, energetics and inorganic chemistry. And Unit 6 - like Unit 3 - is the practical, hands-on part of second year.
On your marks...
In the first year you’ll have a 75 minute written paper on Unit 1 (33% of your year marks) and a 105 minute paper on Unit 2 (47% of your year marks). The remaining 20% of your marks for the year are awarded for the Unit 3 practical work. In the second year you’ll have a 105 minute paper on Unit 4 (40% of your year marks) and a 105 minute paper on Unit 2 (40% of your year marks). The remaining 20% of your marks for the year are awarded for the Unit 6 practical work.
Where will success take me?
Chemistry is a great choice of subject for people who want a career in health and clinical professions, such as medicine, nursing, biochemistry, dentistry or forensic science. It will also equip you for a career in industry, for example in the petrochemical or pharmaceutical industries.
Physics
The course aims to develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles of physics, where you will gain hands-on practical skills and data analysis skills. You will appreciate how science works and its relevance beyond the laboratory and see how physics links to other sciences and how the subject underpins important technologies.
What will I study?
At AS, this specification introduces new topics as well as building on previous studies in physics. There are two AS theory units, Unit 1: Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity and Unit 2: Mechanics, Materials and Waves. Unit 3 assesses your Investigative and Practical Skills.
At A2 there are two theory units and a further one investigative and practical skills assessment. Unit 4 Fields and Further Mechanics and Unit 5 This unit comprises two sections, section A: Nuclear and Thermal Physics and section B: an option unit which covers astrophysics. Unit 6 is the Investigative and Practical Skills assessment.
On your marks . . .
At AS - Unit 1 Written Examination with 6 or 7 structured questions lasting 75mins and counts for 40% of the total AS marks. Unit 2 Written Examination with 6 or 7 structured questions lasting 75mins and counts for 40% of the total AS marks. Unit 3 Practical Skills Assignment (PSA – 9 marks) Teacher Assessed throughout the Year and an Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA – 41marks) set by the exam board with a different Practical Each Year and involves a written assessment lasting 75mins.
At A2 - Unit 4 Written Examination – 115mins Section A is 25 multiple choice questions, each worth one mark section B is a written paper of 4/5 structured questions and consists of 50 marks this counts for 20% of the total A Level marks. Unit 5 – Written Examination – 115mins section A - 40 marks – 4/5 structured questions and section B: Astrophysics 4/5 structured questions and 35 marks 20% of the total A Level marks (Section A 10%, Section B 10%). Unit 6 is the Investigative and practical skills assessment.
Where will it take me?
Physics is a highly regarded A level. It is also considered to be a shortage subject, which means there are wide range of careers and further educational courses available for students following. It can lead to the world of aeronautics, particle physics, engineering product design and several fields of research science.
Applied Science
The Applied Science course will allow you to study how science is applied in many different types of professions and industries. The focus of the course is scientific usage, concentrating on how scientists and others use science in their work. During the course you will be given the opportunity to visit scientific workplaces and meet people who use science on a daily basis. You will also learn how science contributes to our lifestyle and the environment in which we live.
What exactly will I study?
You will be given the opportunity to study a course that concentrates on the application of science, focusing on some of the vocational opportunities that you may pursue as a future career. The course is designed to give you ideas of the type of thing that scientists are involved with. Unit 1 involves a visit to a local scientific organization where you build up a report on the company based upon your experiences. Unit 2 is the examined unit where
How will I be tested?
Units 2 and 14 are assessed by written examination lasting for one and a half hours. The examination consists of short, structured questions. All other units are assessed through a portfolio of evidence, (research, projects and reports that you complete throughout the course) which you prepare with guidance from your teacher. The examined units represent one third of each qualification and the portfolio represents the remaining two thirds of each qualification.
What will this qualification lead to?
Applied Science will prepare you for a career in the science industry or industries that use scientific knowledge and skills. It will also prepare you to take on learning and training in further and higher education. The types of courses include, for example, many science and paramedical degrees. It should be remembered that taking a GCE in a science subject does not limit you to following science courses later on.
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