Sciences
Science is the process of discovery of the visible and unseen world around us.
Faculty Overview
Science is the process of discovery of the visible and unseen world around us. From an early age we have a natural desire to explore our surroundings. As infants we feel, smell and taste our surroundings and as they become familiar it is a normal step of progression to push the boundaries further. It soon becomes apparent that the wider we cast our net, the more we have to discover. And as we broaden our horizons and become more knowledgeable we quickly learn that being a scientist is a natural process. Science should be celebrated and enjoyed by everyone. It can be used, after all, to measure the progress made by civilisation in continuing to discover the wonderful world we live in.
At SCIE, the Faculty of Sciences comprises the subjects of Chemistry, Physics and Biology, each worth studying in their own right. Through these subjects, students can not only gain valuable knowledge but also hone essential skills in numeracy, critical thinking, manual dexterity, analysis, planning, communication, memory recall and collaboration.
However, by combining two or more of the sciences into their options, students can broaden their choice of career paths, opening wide their opportunities to work in fields as diverse as engineering (civil, aeronautical, chemical, electrical, mechanical), medicine, finance, dentistry, cosmetics, forensics, pharmaceutics, environmental science, marine biology, to name but a few!
Science is the vehicle by which students fulfil their career aspirations and by which they are transformed into 21st century world-class citizens.
Mike Dawick
Faculty – Modern Languages
Available to AS (1 year) Or A Level (2 year)
Biology is the study of living organisms. The A-Level course aims to provide a detailed insight into the living world for students, improve their reasoning skills, data analysis, planning and evaluation, along with handling scientific apparatus appropriately.
At the end of the course, students should develop an awareness of how Biology impacts everyday life and the developing technologies associated with the Biological Sciences. The course provides a firm foundation for students applying for Medicine, Biological Natural Science, Biochemistry, and Zoology.
AS Level Topics
At AS level, the following topics are covered:
Cell Structure
Biological Molecules
Enzymes
Cell Membranes and Transport
The Mitotic Cell Cycle
Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
Transport in Plants
Transport in Mammals
Gas Exchange
Immunity with Infectious Diseases
A2 Level Topics
During the A2 year, the following topics are covered:
Energy and Respiration
Photosynthesis
Homeostasis
Coordination
Inherited Change
Selection and Evolution
Biodiversity
Classification
Conservation
Genetic Technology
The A2 year also places strong emphasis on biological-based statistics, as students are expected to display skills in probabilities such as using the t-test or the chi-squared test to analyze data obtained.
Skills and Expectations
In summary, A-Level Biology is not a subject that relies entirely on memorization or recall of information on the students’ part; it also ensures that:
Students are equipped with the ability to understand complicated biological scenarios
Students are able to handle data appropriately
Students can evaluate experiments or research that is shown
Students can display their thoughts in fluent writing
In this context, students must learn how to deal with new information as it comes, devise conclusions of their own to novel problems, and present their conclusions in the form of written or verbal explanations.
Language and Mathematical Requirements
The level of Mathematics required to succeed in this course is not high, but the standard of written English required — especially at the A2 level — is very high, as students are expected to write essays in logical, continuous prose.
Students who have difficulty reading large amounts of English text will find Biology a very challenging subject at the A-Level.
Available to AS (1 year) Or A Level (2 year)
At AS level, the course covers:
Physical Chemistry
The structure of atoms and molecules and the forces that hold them together
Chemical energetics
Electrochemistry
Equilibria
Chemical reactions and the factors that affect them
Inorganic Chemistry
Chemical periodicity
Group 2 and Group 17 elements and their compounds
Nitrogen and sulphur
Organic Chemistry
Hydrocarbons
Halogenated hydrocarbons
Alcohols
Aldehydes and ketones
Carboxylic acids
Polymers
A2 Level Topics
In A2, many of the topics covered at the AS level are revisited in more detail and depth, specifically:
Chemical energetics and entropy
Electrochemistry
Chemical kinetics
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Carboxylic acids
Polymers
Additionally, several new areas are covered, such as:
Transition metals
Organic Chemistry – amines
Chemical synthesis
Methods used in analysis
Laboratory and Skills Development
Throughout the course, regular practical exercises ensure that students:
Understand how laboratory techniques are performed
Learn how experiments are designed and planned
Language and Mathematical Requirements
The level of mathematical ability required for the course is not high, but:
Chemistry involves a large amount of specialized vocabulary
It depends greatly on the ability to follow detailed written instructions
Students who have difficulty reading large volumes of English text will find Chemistry a challenging subject.
Available to AS (1 year) Or A Level (2 year)
The study of Physics is aimed at:
Gaining an understanding of natural phenomena
Formulating laws (often in a mathematical form) which attempt to describe how things happen in the natural world
To successfully follow a course of study in Physics at this level, students should:
Have an interest in the subject
Possess the necessary study skills to develop:
a. Knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of Physics
b. The ability to handle, apply, and evaluate information
c. Practical skills and good investigative techniques
d. Confidence in a technological world, and the ability to take an informed interest in scientific matters
Syllabus Outline
The syllabus is constructed on a core plus applications basis.
Practical work — including planning, analysis, and evaluation — is seen as an integral and essential part of the course.
The core consists of the following 26 sections:
Physical Quantities and Units
Kinematics
Dynamics
Forces, Density and Pressure
Work, Energy and Power
Deformation of Solids
Waves
Superposition
Electricity
DC Circuits
Particle Physics
Circular Motion
Gravitation
Oscillations
Ideal Gases
Thermal Physics
Electric Fields
Coulomb’s Law
Capacitance
Magnetic Fields
Electromagnetic Induction
Alternating Current
Quantum Physics
Nuclear Physics
Astronomy and Cosmology
Medical Physics
Future Prospects
A good pass in A level Physics provides an excellent stepping stone to further educational and career opportunities.
It is a requirement for entry into many degree courses in the technological field, especially in most branches of engineering.
A Physics background is highly valued across a wide range of professions, from scientific research to senior management and beyond.
