Science

Course Description 

The two year qualification combines scientific theory and practical skills relevant to understanding organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

This qualification is intended to provide students with a great depth and breadth of understanding in order to challenge and stretch. As a student you will recognise the usefulness and limitations of a scientific method and appreciate its applicability in other disciplines and in everyday life.

Learning activities will include practical work, independent research, class discussions, presentations, online interactive tutorials, worksheets and note taking.
Throughout the course you will develop the following skills:

• Using apparatus skilfully and safely
• Producing and recording valid and reliable measurements and observations
• Presenting and analysing data
• Research skills
• Identifying and evaluating resources
• Clarity of oral and written expression using scientific language
• Discussion and presentation skills
• Making notes
• Problem solving

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is through written papers prepared and marked externally by the examination body.

Paper 1: 2 hrs long for 105 marks: Short, long answer questions and extended responses contributes 35% of the final mark.
Paper 2: 2 hrs long for 105 marks: Comprehension and long answer questions contributes 35% of the final mark.
Paper 3: 2 hrs long for 90 marks: Short and long structured questions, practical data questions and multiple choice questions contribute to 30% of the final mark.

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/chemistry-7404-7405

Why you should consider this course?

If you have a passion for understanding how the world is made up of different chemicals and the composition of the materials and objects we take for granted, then you should study Chemistry.

Chemistry is one of the foundations of understanding the world we live in and how it has changed. It has fascinated men and women of every age including famous scientists such as John Dalton, Marie Curie, Antoine Lavoisier and Robert Boyle.

A knowledge and understanding of the principles of chemistry not only leads to a profound understanding of the natural world we live in, but also the manmade advancements we have made over time. The subject allows us to understand the complexity of different molecules and the composition of the world we live in.

Useful Links:

Seneca Learning – www.senecalearning.com

Maths Made Easy – mathsmadeeasy.co.uk/revise/

Khan Academy - www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry

Chemistry Guide – www.chemguide.co.uk

Doc Brown’s Chemistry Notes - http://www.docbrown.info/

Revision Guides – These can be purchased new or second hand online

New A-Level Chemistry for 2018: AQA Year 1 & 2 Complete Revision & Practice with Online Edition (CGP A-Level Chemistry)) £14.90 on Amazon

New A-Level Chemistry for 2018: AQA Year 1 & 2 Exam Practice Workbook - includes Answers (CGP A-Level Chemistry) £9.41 on Amazon

A-Level Chemistry: Essential Maths Skills (CGP A-Level Chemistry) £6.80 on Amazon

Course Description 

The two year qualification combines scientific theory and practical skills relevant to fast developing technological advancements.

The course content includes concepts from the origin of the universe to the latest scientific findings, providing information about how things work for you.

The AQA specification

Year 1 Core Content:

1. Measurement and errors
2. Particles and Radiation
3. Waves
4. Mechanics and Materials
5. Electricity

Year 2 Core Content:

1. Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics
2. Fields and their consequences
3. Nuclear Physics

Options: (one to choose)

1. Astrophysics
2. Medical Physics
3. Engineering Physics
4. Turning points in Physics
5. Electronics

Throughout the course you will develop the following skills:

• Using apparatus skilfully and safely
• Producing and recording valid and reliable measurements and observations
• Presenting and analysing data
• Research skills
• Identifying and evaluating resources
• Clarity of oral and written expression using scientific language
• Discussion and presentation skills
• Making notes
• Problem solving

Why you should consider this course?

If you have a passion for understanding how things work and enjoy scientific experiments and mathematics, then you should study physics. Physics is the foundation of modern science. It has fascinated men and women of every age including Newton, Maxwell, Curie, Einstein, Bohr, Schrodinger, Dirac, Meitner, Feynman, and Hawking.

A knowledge and understanding of the principles of physics not only leads to a profound understanding of the physical world but also supplies the scientist with the insight to develop new and innovative ideas. The technology and devices that influence our daily lives are based upon the discoveries of physics. The invention of the mobile phone, the laser printer, the internet, MRI; the discovery of high-temperature superconductors; and the advances in high-speed computers are only a few examples of the phenomenal physics-based technological progress witnessed in recent times.

Future Career:

For students who wish to study for a degree programme in physics, medicine, engineering, optometry, forensic science, bio-medical engineering and many other fields.

Useful Links:

Seneca Learning – www.senecalearning.com

Maths Made Easy – mathsmadeeasy.co.uk/revise/

Khan Academy - www.khanacademy.org/science/physics

A Level Physics Online - https://www.alevelphysicsonline.com/ (free for Y12 content)

Physics Net - http://physicsnet.co.uk/a-level-physics-as-a2/

Isaac Physics - https://isaacphysics.org/alevel

Revision Guides

New A-Level Physics for 2018: AQA Year 1 & 2 Complete Revision & Practice with Online Edition (CGP A-Level Physics) £15.41 on Amazon

New A-Level Physics for 2018: AQA Year 1 & 2 Exam Practice Workbook - includes Answers (CGP A-Level Physics) £10.99 on Amazon

Maths Skills for A Level Physics Second Edition by Carol Tear £7.50 on Amazon

A-Level Physics: Essential Maths Skills (CGP A-Level Physics) £6.69 on Amazon

Course Description 

The two year qualification combines scientific theory and practical skills relevant to understanding both human and plant biology.

The AQA specification

A-Level (7402) Core Content:

Year 1;

1. Biological molecules
2. Cells
3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment
4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

Year 2;

1. Energy transfers in and between organisms
2. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
3. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
4. The control of gene expression

This qualification is intended to provide students with a great depth and breadth of understanding in order to challenge and stretch you. As a student you will recognise the usefulness and limitations of a scientific method and appreciate its applicability in other disciplines and in everyday life.

Learning activities will include practical work, independent research, class discussions, presentations, online interactive tutorials, worksheets and note taking.
Throughout the course you will develop the following skills:

• Using apparatus skilfully and safely
• Producing and recording valid and reliable measurements and observations
• Presenting and analysing data
• Research skills
• Identifying and evaluating resources
• Clarity of oral and written expression using scientific language
• Discussion and presentation skills
• Making notes
• Problem solving

How will I be assessed?

Paper 1: 2 hrs long for 91 marks: Short and long answer questions and extended questions comprised of topics 1 to 4.
Paper 2: 2 hrs long for 91 marks: Comprehension and long answer questions comprised of topics 5 to 8.
Paper 3: 2 hrs long for 78 marks: Practical data questions and an extended essay question (25 marks) comprised of topics 1 to 8.

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/biology-7401-7402

Why you should consider this course:

If you have a passion for understanding how living things interact with their environment and how this affects the world around us, then you should study biology.

Biology is one of the foundations of understanding the world we live in and how it is changing. It has fascinated men and women of every age including famous scientists such as Edward Jenner, Louis Pasteur, Alexander Fleming and Charles Darwin.

A knowledge and understanding of the principles of biology not only leads to a profound understanding of the natural world we live in but also supplies the scientist with the insight into how life could possibly evolve over time. The subject allows us to understand the complexity of different living organisms and the delicate balance that they try to achieve with their external environment.

Future Career:

For students who wish to go for a degree programme in nursing, medicine, engineering, optometry, dentistry, forensic science, bio-medical engineering, biomedical sciences, botany, zoology, natural sciences.

Useful Links:

Seneca Learning – www.senecalearning.com

Maths Made Easy – mathsmadeeasy.co.uk/revise/

PXS Biology – pxsbiology.webstarts.com

A-Level Biology - alevelbiology.co.uk/membership/ (you can get free basic membership)

Khan Academy - www.khanacademy.org/science/biology

Sumanas Online Animations - http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animation.html

Biology Guide Notes - biologyguide.app

Revision Guides

New A-Level Biology for 2018: AQA Year 1 & 2 Complete Revision & Practice with Online Edition (CGP A-Level Biology) £14.70 on Amazon

New A-Level Biology for 2018: AQA Year 1 & 2 Exam Practice Workbook - includes Answers (CGP A-Level Biology) £9.35 on Amazon

My Revision Notes: AQA A Level Biology by Mike Boyle £16.17 on Amazon

AQA A2 Biology: Writing the Synoptic Essay by R Mitchell £7.99 on Amazon

AQA Biology Synoptic Essays: For the new exam starting 2016 by Dr Al Waters £9.65 on Amazon

Why study BTEC Science?

For students who wish to take a science subject but want to keep a range of science options open for their future education. The Extended Certificate course is equivalent to a full A-Level and the Diploma is equivalent to 2 full A Levels.

The Extended Certificate is comprised of 4 units and the Diploma is 8 units.

The two year qualification combines scientific theory and practical skills relevant to this fascinating topic area. Throughout the course you will study a variety of biological, chemical and physical sciences, applying them to different scientific context in industry.

Course description

The course is based around applying scientific ideas and techniques in real-life industry contexts. Learning activities will include practical work, independent research, class discussions, presentations, online interactive tutorials, worksheets and note taking.
Throughout the course you will develop the following skills:

• Using apparatus skilfully and safely
• Producing and recording valid and reliable measurements and observations
• Presenting and analysing data
• Research skills
• Identifying and evaluating resources
• Use of a range of photographic equipment including SLR cameras
• Clarity of oral and written expression
• Discussion and presentation skills
• Making notes

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is through a combination of internally marked assignment, externally marked tasks and written exam. The BTEC qualification is awarded at Pass, Merit or Distinction level.

Core Units

The Extended Certificate course is equivalent to 1 A Level. The course is assessed by internal assessment, task and written exam marked by Pearson. The course is made up of 4 units, 3 of which are mandatory and 1 is optional. The mandatory units are as follows:

• Principles and Application of Science 1 – Written exam set and marked by Pearson
• Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques – Assignment set and marked internally
• Science Investigation Skills – Task set and marked by Pearson

1 Optional unit TBC

The Diploma course is equivalent to 2 A Levels. The course is assessed by internal assessment, task and written exam marked by Pearson. The course is made up of 8 units, 6 of which are mandatory and 2 are optional. The mandatory units are as follows:

• Principles and Application of Science I – Written exam set and marked by Pearson
• Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques – Assignment set and marked internally
• Science Investigation Skills – Task set and marked by Pearson
• Laboratory Techniques and their Applications – Assignment set and marked internally
• Principles and Application of Science II – Written exam set and marked by Pearson
• Investigative Project – Assignment set and marked internally

2 Optional units TBC

What independent study will I have to do?

Students should spend at least 5 hours a week completing case studies or working independently outside of lessons on their assignments.

Who is suitable to study this course and what are the entry requirements?

You should be enthusiastic about continuing to study science. You should have at least a Grade C in either GCSE Science (Core and Additional) or triple science (Biology, Chemistry, Electronics and/or Physics as well as C grades in Mathematics and English. However, we like to look at individual achievements and consider a range of qualifications and experience. If you have a Level 2 BTEC Application of Science qualification a Merit or Distinction will be required for entry onto this course. An enthusiasm for science and an ability to research and meet deadlines is important.

What other courses complement BTEC Applied Science?

The BTEC Extended Certificate/Diploma combines well with Psychology, Sociology and BTEC Sport. However it could be combined with a wide range of other subjects.

What is the options post-18 and what are the career pathways if you study this course?

The course is broad and covers topics from many scientific areas across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The knowledge and skills you learn will provide many interesting opportunities.
You could progress to university to study a whole variety of degrees including Nursing and Midwifery, some Biological Sciences, Analytical Science and Social Science-based courses. This course is also suitable for students who wish to enter the world of work as technicians in a variety of scientific or medical industries.

Congratulations to our Year 13 students on achieving

88% A*-C in Biology,

91% A*-C in Chemistry and,

73% in Physics

Congratulations to our Year 13 students on achieving

73.3%  Grades A*-C in Biology 

100% Grades A*-C in Chemistry 

80% Grades A*-C in Physics