Science

YEAR 7 CURRICULUM

ENVIRONMENT & FEEDING RELATIONSHIPS
Adaptation to Habitat; Adaptation to Daily & Seasonal Change; Feeding Relationships; Food Webs & Competition

VARIATION & CLASSIFICATION
Variation in Individuals; Causes of Variation; Grouping Animals; Classification

CELLS
The microscope; Structure of Plant and Animal Cells; Cell Specialisation

ACIDS & ALKALIS
Characteristics of Acids & Alkalis; Hazardous Substances; Indicators; Neutralisation & Uses

SIMPLE CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Reactions of Acids with Metals; Reactions of Acids with Carbonates; Burning; Fuels

PARTICLE MODEL OF SOLIDS, LIQUIDS & GASES
Solids, Liquids & Gases; Particle Theory; Diffusion; Gas Pressure

SOLUTIONS
Mixing Substances; Distillation; Chromatography; Saturated Solutions

ENERGY RESOURCES
Burning Fuels; Fossil Fuels; Renewable Energy Resources; Food

ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
Electrical Circuits; Electric Current; Parallel Circuits; Dangers of Electricity

FORCES & THEIR EFFECTS
Force; Mass & Weight; Upthrust; Friction; Stopping Distances of Vehicles

THE SOLAR SYSTEM & BEYOND
The Earth, Sun & Moon; The Solar System; Beyond our Solar System

 
YEAR 8 CURRICULUM

REPRODUCTION
Patterns of Sexual Reproduction; Mechanism of Human Reproduction; Menstrual Cycle & Foetal Development; Birth

INHERITANCE
Variation; Genes; Chromosomes; DNA; Selective Breeding; Cloning

FOOD & DIGESTION
The Seven Main Food types; Healthy Diet & Food Tests; Digestion; Enzymes; Absorption & Transport

RESPIRATION
Aerobic Respiration; Evidence for Respiration in Living Things

THE LUNGS AND GAS EXCHANGE
Transporting Oxygen, Glucose & Carbon Dioxide

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Process of Photosynthesis

THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
First Lines of Defence; The Role of White Blood Cells; Immunisation

ATOMS & ELEMENTS
Materials, Elements & Atoms; The Elements; Making New Materials

COMPOUNDS & MIXTURES
Elements & Compounds; Chemical Reactions involving Compounds; Mixtures; Melting Point & Boiling Point

REACTIONS OF METALS & METAL COMPOUNDS
Reactions of Metals with Acids; Reactions of Metal Carbonates with Acids; Reactions of Metal Oxides with Acids; Adding Acids to Alkalis

PATTERNS OF REACTIVITY
Metals and Their Reactions with Oxygen; Reaction of Metals with Water & Acids; Reactivity Series; Displacement Reactions

MAGNETS & ELECTROMAGNETS
Magnets; Magnetic Fields; Electromagnets

LIGHT
Light; Reflection; Refraction & Dispersion; Colour

SOUND & HEARING
Sound; Frequency & Amplitude of Sound Waves; How Sound Travels; Hearing Sound

SPEEDING UP
Speed; Forces & Movement; Resistance to Movement; Speed of Falling Objects

PRESSURE & MOMENTS
Pressure; Pressure in gases & Liquids; Levers; Turning Effects of Forces

YEAR 9 CURRICULUM

In Year 9 students begin work on GCSE Science (AQA).  In this course there are six modules, 2 x Biology, 2 x Chemistry, 2 x Physics.  Each module concludes with a 30 minute multiple-choice examination.  The results from these modular examinations plus a practical assignment (ISA) combine to form the final grade for the GCSE.  Three of the six modules are expected to be covered and examined during Year 9 (B1a, C1a, P1a), the remainder  (B1b, C1b, P1b), during the first half of Year 10.  Students will then begin a second ‘Additional Science’ GCSE.

BIOLOGY MODULE 1 (B1a) – HUMAN BIOLOGY

CO-ORDINATION & CONTROL
Responding to Change; Reflex Actions; Menstrual Cycle; Artificial Control of Fertility; Controlling Conditions; Controlling Fertility

HEALTHY EATING
Diet & Exercise; Weight Problems; Fast Food; Health Issues

DRUG ABUSE
Drugs; Legal & Illegal Drugs; Alcohol – the acceptable drug?; Smoking & Health; Lung Cancer & Smoking; Does Cannabis lead to Hard Drugs?

CONTROLLING INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Pathogens; Defence Mechanisms; Using Drugs to Treat Disease; Changing Pathogens; Developing New Medicines; Immunity

CHEMISTRY MODULE 1 (C1a) – PRODUCTS FROM ROCKS

ROCKS & BUILDING
Atoms, Elements & Compounds; Limestone & Its Uses; Decomposing Carbonates; Quicklime & Slaked Lime; Cement, Concrete & Glass; Building Materials – old & new

ROCKS & METALS
Extracting Metals; Extracting Iron; Properties of Iron & Steels; Alloys in Everyday Use; Transition Metals; Aluminium & Titanium; Using Metals

CRUDE OIL
Fuels from Crude Oil; Fractional Distillation; Burning Fuels; Cleaner Fuels; Alternative Fuels

PHYSICS MODULE 1 (P1a) – ENERGY & ENERGY RESOURCES

HEAT TRANSFER
Thermal Radiation; Surfaces & Radiation; Conduction; Convection; Heat Transfer by Design; Hot Issues

USING ENERGY
Forms of Energy; Conservation of Energy; Useful Energy; Energy & Efficiency

ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Electrical Devices; Electrical Power; Using Electrical Energy; The National Grid; Electrical Issues

GENERATING ELECTRICITY
Fuel for Electricity; Energy from Wind & Water; Power from Wind & Water; Power from Sun & Earth; Energy & Environment; Big Energy Issues

 
YEAR 10 CURRICULUM

In Year 10 students complete the course requirements for GCSE Science (AQA) begun in Year 9.  The remaining three modules will be studied,  1 x Biology (B1b), 1 x Chemistry (C1b), 1 x Physics (P1b).  Each module concludes with a 30 minute multiple-choice examination.  The results from these modular examinations and those obtained in Year 9 (plus any retakes which may be taken) plus a practical assignment (ISA) combine to form the final grade for the GCSE Science award.

Once study towards GCSE Science is complete students immediately begin study towards GCSE Additional Science. See Year 10/11 Curriculum for details.

BIOLOGY MODULE 2 (B1b) – EVOLUTION & ENVIRONMENT

ADAPTATION FOR SURVIVAL
Adaptation in Animals; Adaptation in Plants; Competition in Animals; Competition in Plants

VARIATION
Inheritance; Types of Reproduction; Cloning; New Ways of Cloning Animals; Genetic Engineering; Making Choices about Technology

EVOLUTION
The Origins of Life on Earth; Theories of Evolution; Natural Selection; Extinction; Evolution – the Debate Goes On

HOW PEOPLE AFFECT THE PLANET
The Effects of the Population Explosion; Acid Rain; Global Warming; Sustainable Development; Planning for the Future; Environmental Issues

CHEMISTRY MODULE 2 (C1b) – OILS, EARTH & ATMOSPHERE

PRODUCTS FROM OIL
Cracking Hydrocarbons; Making Polymers from Alkenes; Properties of Plastics; New & Usueful Polymners; Plastics, Polymers & Packaging for Food

PLANT OILS
Extracting Vegetable Oils; Cooking with Vegetable Oils; Everyday Emulsions; What is Added to our Food?; Vegetable Oils as Fuels; Vegetable Oils

THE CHANGING WORLD
Structure of the Earth; the Restless Earth; The Earth’s Atmosphere in the Past; Gases in the Atmosphere; The Carbon Cycle; Earth Issues

PHYSICS MODULE 2 (P1b) – RADIATION & THE UNIVERSE

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
The Electromagnetic Spectrum; Gamma Rays & X Rays; Light ad Ultraviolet Radiation; Infra-Red, Microwaves & Radio Waves; Communications; Analogue & Digital Signals; Microwave Issues

RADIOACTIVITY
Observing Nuclear Radiation; Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation; Half-Life; Radioactivity at Work; Radioactivity Issues

THE ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
The Expanding Universe; The Big Bang; Looking Into Space; Looking Into the Unknown

 
YEAR 10/11 CURRICULUM

Once study towards GCSE Science is complete students immediately begin study towards GCSE Additional Science.

This consists of three modules and three examinations, B2, C2, P2 plus a practical assessment (ISA).

For those students studying for two GCSEs in Science – Science and Additional Science  – the Additional Science examinations will take place in Year 11.

For those students studying for three GCSEs in Science – Biology, Chemistry and Physics – the study of Additional Science will immediately be followed by study of three further modules, 1 x Biology (B3), 1 x Chemistry (C3) and 1 x Physics (P3). See YEAR 11 CURRICULUM for details.

ADDITIONAL SCIENCE

BIOLOGY  (B2)

CELLS
Animal & Plant Cells; Specialised Cells; How Do Substances Get Into and Out of Cells?; Osmosis; Cell Issues

HOW PLANTS PRODUCE FOOD
Photosynthesis; Limiting Factors; How Plants Use Glucose; Why Plants Need Minerals; Plant Problems

ENERGY FLOWS
Pyramids of Biomass; Energy Losses; Energy in Food Production; Decay; The Carbon Cycle; Intensive & Free Range Farming

ENZYMES
Enzyme Structure; Factors Affecting Enzyme Action; Aerobic Respiration; Enzymes in Digestion; Speeding Up Digestion; Making Use of Enzymes; High-Tech Enzymes

HOMEOSTASIS
Controlling Internal Conditions; Controlling Body Temperature; Controlling Blood Sugar; Homeostasis Matters!

INHERITANCE
Cell Division & Growth; Stem Cells; Cell Division in Sexual Reproduction; From Mendel to DNA; Inheritance in Action; Inherited Conditions in Humans; Stem Cells & Embryos – an Ethical Minefield!

CHEMISTRY (C2)

STRUCTURES & BONDING
Atomics Structure; Arrangement of Electrons in Atoms; Chemical Bonding; Ionic Bonding; Covalent Bonding; Bonding in Metals; History of Atom

STRUCTURES & PROPERTIES
Ionic Compounds; Simple Molecules; Giant Covalent Structures; Giant Metallic Structures; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

HOW MUCH?
Mass Numbers; Masses of Atoms & Moles; Percentage & Fomulae; Equations & Calculations; Making as Much as We Want; Reversible Reactions; Making Ammonia – The Haber Process; Aspects of the Haber Process

RATES OF REACTION
How Fast?; Collision Theory; The Effect of Temperature; The Effect of Concentration; The Effect of Catalysts; Catalysts in Action

ENERGY & REACTIONS
Exothermic & Endothermic Reactions; Energy & Reversible Reactions; More about the Haber Process; Industrial Dilemnas

ELECTROLYSIS
Electrolysis – the Basics; Changes at the Electrodes; Electrolysing Brine; Purifying Copper; to Build or Not to Build?

ACIDS, ALKALIS & SALTS
Acids & Alkalis; Making Salts from Metals or Bases; Making Salts from Solutions; It’s All in the Soil

PHYSICS (P2)

MOTION
Distance-Time Graphs; Velocity & Acceleration; Using Graphs; Transport Issues

SPEEDING UP & SLOWING DOWN
Forces Between Objects; Resultant Force; Force & Acceleration; On the Road; Falling Objects; Speed Limits

WORK, ENERGY & MOMENTUM
Energy & Work; Kinetic Energy; Momentum; More of Collisions & Explosions; Changing Momentum; Forces for Safety

STATIC ELECTRICITY
Electrical Charges; Charge of the Move; Uses & Dangers of Static Electricity; Static Issues

CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Electric Circuits; Resistance; Current-Potential Difference Graphs; Series & Parallel Circuits; Circuits in Control

MAINS ELECTRICITY
Alternating Current; Cables & Plugs; Fuses; Electrical Power & Potential Difference; Electrical Energy & Charge; Safety Matters

NUCLEAR PHYSICS
Nuclear Reactions; Discovery of the Nucleus; Nuclear Fission, Nuclear Fusion, Nuclear Energy Issues

YEAR 11 CURRICULUM

For those students studying for three GCSEs in Science – Biology, Chemistry and Physics – the study of Additional Science will immediately be followed by study of three further modules, 1 x Biology (B3), 1 x Chemistry (C3) and 1 x Physics (P3).

BIOLOGY  (B3)

How do dissolved materials get into and out of animals and plants?
How are dissolved materials transported around the body?
How does exercise affect the exchanges taking place within the body?
How do exchanges in the kidney help us to maintain the internal environment in
mammals and how has biology helped us to treat kidney disease?
How are microorganisms used to make food and drink?
What other useful substances can we make using microorganisms?
How can we be sure we are using microorganisms safely?

CHEMISTRY  (C3)

How was the periodic table developed and how can it help us understand the reactions of elements?
What are strong and weak acids and alkalis? How can we find the amounts of acids and alkalis in solutions?
What is in the water we drink?
How much energy is involved in chemical reactions?
How do we identify and analyse substances?

PHYSICS  (P3)

How do forces have a turning effect?
What keeps bodies moving in a circle?
What provides the centripetal force for planets and satellites?
What do mirrors and lenses do to light?
What is sound?
What is ultrasound and how can it be used?
How can electricity be used to make things move?
How do generators work?
How do transformers work?
What is the life history of stars?

YEAR 12 CURRICULUM

AS LEVEL BIOLOGY

Unit 1 HBIO1 The body and its diseases

We are what we eat - the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living organisms.
• A balanced diet

What is food and what happens to it?
• Enzymes – fast, specific catalysts
• Enzymes – heroes and villains

Cystic fibrosis – just one small change in a protein
• Cystic fibrosis

Microorganisms use us for food, shelter and their reproduction
• Bacterial diseases

How the body fights infectious disease
• Our reaction to something foreign
• Immunity and vaccines
• Magic bullets

Some diseases are closely linked to life-style
• The heart
• Cardiovascular disease
• Coronary heart disease – personal decisions and consequences

Unit 2 HBIO2 Humans – their origins and adaptations

The information of life
• Nucleic acids – the keys to life
• Semi-conservative replication of DNA

• Cell division - growth, repair, reproduction and cancer
• Growth and repair

• Cancer – mitosis out of control

• Sex and cell division – Meiosis

Where we fit in the world and how we came to be here
• What’s in a name?
• Theories of Lamarck and Darwin
• Once there were other humans

Adaptations to a way of life
• Humans have evolved adaptations that increase survival
• Adaptations to vigorous exercise
• Adaptations of behaviour

• Our parasites are adapted to us and our domestic animals

• We have changed and are changing our environment
• The development of settled communities

• Making other species work for us

Unit 3 Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Biology

AS LEVEL CHEMISTRY

Unit 1 CHEM1 Foundation Chemistry

Atomic Structure
• Fundamental particles
• Protons, neutrons and electrons
• Mass number and isotopes
• Electron arrangement

Amount of Substance
• Relative atomic mass and relative molecular mass
• The mole and the Avogadro constant (L)
• The ideal gas equation
• Empirical and molecular formulae
• Balanced equations and associated calculations

Bonding
• Nature of ionic, covalent and metallic bonds
• Bond polarity
• Forces acting between molecules
• States of matter
• Shapes of simple molecules and ions

Periodicity
• Classification of elements in s, p and d blocks
• Properties of the elements of Period 3 to illustrate periodic trends

Introduction to Organic Chemistry
• Nomenclature
• Isomerism

Alkanes
• Fractional distillation of crude oil
• Modification of alkanes by cracking
• Combustion of alkanes

Unit 2 CHEM2 Chemistry in Action

Energetics
• Enthalpy change (ΔH)
• Calorimetry
• Simple applications of Hess’s Law
• Bond enthalpies

Kinetics
• Collision
• Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution
• Effect of temperature on reaction rate
• Effect of concentration
• Catalysts

Equilibria
• The dynamic nature of equilibria
• Qualitative effects of changes of pressure, temperature and concentration on a system in equilibrium
• Importance of equilibria in industrial processes

Redox Reactions
• Oxidation and reduction
• Oxidation states
• Redox equations

Group 7(17), the Halogens
• Trends in physical properties
• Trends in the oxidizing abilities of the halogens
• Trends in the reducing abilities of the halide ions
• Identification of halide ions using silver nitrate
• Uses of chlorine and chlorate(I)

Group 2, the Alkaline Earth Metals
• Trends in physical properties
• Trends in chemical Properties

Extraction of Metals
• Principles of metal extraction
• Environmental aspects of metal extraction

Haloalkanes
• Synthesis of chloroalkanes
• Nucleophilic substitution
• Elimination

Alkenes
• Alkenes: structure, bonding and reactivity
• Addition reactions of alkenes
• Polymerisation of alkenes

• Alcohols
• Nomenclature
• Ethanol production
• Classification and reactions
• Elimination

Analytical Techniques
• Mass spectrometry
• Infrared spectroscopy

Unit 3 Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Chemistry

AS LEVEL PHYSICS

Unit 1 PHYA1 Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity

Particles and Radiation
• Constituents of the atom
• Stable and unstable nuclei
• Particles, antiparticles and photons
• Particle interactions
• Classification of particles
• Quarks and antiquarks

Electromagnetic Radiation and Quantum Phenomena
• The photoelectric effect
• Collisions of electrons with atoms
• Energy levels and photon emission
• Wave-particle duality

Current Electricity
• Charge, current and potential difference
• Current / voltage characteristics
• Resistivity
• Circuits
• Potential divider
• Electromotive force and internal resistance
• Alternating currents
• Oscilloscope

Unit 2 PHYA2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves

Mechanics
• Scalars and vectors
• Moments
• Motion along a straight line
• Projectile motion
• Newton’s laws of motion
• Work, energy and power
• Conservation of energy

Materials
• Bulk properties of solids
• The Young modulus

Waves
• Progressive Waves
• Longitudinal and transverse waves
• Refraction at a plane surface
• Superposition of waves, stationary waves
• Interference
• Diffraction

Unit 3 Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Physics

  
YEAR 13 CURRICULUM

A2 LEVEL HUMAN BIOLOGY

Unit 4 HBIO4 Bodies and cells in and out of control

• IVF – babies for those who cannot conceive naturally
• Growing up, growing old and passing on your genes
• The management structure of cells
• New genes for old
• Drugs can affect how we perceive the world around us
• Fight or flight – muscles, hormones and nerves working together
• Hypothermia and diabetes – when control systems fail to work

Unit 5 HBIO5 The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat

• Human impacts on evolution
• People change communities
• Human’s health can be affected when they change their environment
• Human activities can damage ecosystems and create new ones
• Plants can reduce the impact of the use of fossil fuels on climate changes
• People and their microorganisms

Unit 6 Investigative and Practical Skills in A2 Human Biology

 
A2 LEVEL CHEMISTRY

Unit 4 CHEM 4 Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry

• Kinetics
• Equilibria
• Acids and Bases
• Nomenclature and Isomerism in Organic Chemistry
• Compounds containing the Carbonyl Group
• Aromatic Chemistry
• Amines
• Amino Acids
• Polymers
• Organic Synthesis and Analysis
• Structure Determination

Unit 5 CHEM 5 Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry

• Thermodymanics
• Periodicity
• Redox Equilibria
• Transition Metals
• Reactions of Inorganic Compounds in Aqueous Solution

Unit 6 Investigative and Practical Skills in A2 Chemistry

A2 LEVEL PHYSICS

Unit 4 CHEM 4 Fields and Further Mechanics

• Further Mechanics
• Gravitation
• Electric Fields
• Capacitance
• Magnetic Fields

Unit 5 CHEM 5 Nuclear Physics, Thermal Physics and Optional Topic

• Radioactivity
• Nuclear Energy
• Thermal Physics

Options in
• Astrophysics
• Medical Physics
• Applied Physics
• Turning Points in Physics

Unit 6 Investigative and Practical Skills in A2 Physics
 

Page last updated on: 12 Apr 2010