Science « Torpoint Community College

Science

Rationale and Aims

In the Science department we promote a realisation that Science is enjoyable, stimulating and rewarding, that it links to all aspects of life and the modern world we live in.

As a Department we encourage our students to experience the vast range of wonder and intrigue within science and develop their critical skills for success in a safe and secure environment. The health and safety of students and staff, in this highly practical subject, is very important to us. We strive to ensure that all students work professionally and collaboratively with staff to meet our high standards of health and safety practices irrespective of ability or key stage.

The Science department’s aim is also to provide engaging and motivating lessons which stimulate student’s enquiry skills and also set challenging targets with high expectations for all.

KS3

There is one route through KS3 Science. The KS3curriculum is taught from Year 7 through to Year 9 with students sitting an end of KS3assessment in February of Year 9. We also monitor progress throughout the year with students formatively assessed at the end of each unit. Following the end of KS3 assessment Year 9 students will progress into the GCSE course. They will be placed into their GCSE sets and will follow their chosen programme of study for GCSE Science.

“Science is an integral part of modern culture. It stretches the imagination and creativity of young people. Its challenges are quite enormous”

– Professor Malcolm Longair.

Focus for Year 7 students 2017 – 2018

Biology Units: Cells, Reproduction, Adaptation and Inheritance

Chemistry Units: Particles, Elements and Compounds, Acid and Alkalis

Physics Units: Electricity and Magnetism, Energy and Forces

Focus for Year 8 students 2017 – 2018

Biology Units: Structure and function of body systems, Health and lifestyle

Chemistry Units: Periodic table, Reactions, Separating techniques, Metals and Acids

Physics Units: Light, Sound, Space, Forces

Focus for Year 9 students 2017 – 2018

Biology Units: Ecosystem processes

Chemistry Units: Separating techniques, The Earth

Physics Units: Motion and Pressure

KS4

Science has two routes at KS4, either of which are open to any student of any ability:

AQA Separate Sciences (3 GCSE Grades) or AQA Combined Science (2 GCSE Grades)

Courses are taught over Year 9 into Y11. The Year 10 content covers the Paper 1 exam and the Year 11 course covers the content required for the Paper 2 exam. There is no coursework component in either course but there are a number of required practicals which are taught and could feature in exams. Both of these qualifications are linear assessed. Students will sit all their exams at the end of the course. All papers will feature multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions.

Separate Science Course

AQA Separate Sciences – Biology 8641

QAN code: 601/8752/9

Subject content

1. Cell biology

2. Organisation

3. Infection and response

4. Bioenergetics

5. Homeostasis and response

6. Inheritance, variation and evolution

7. Ecology

8. Key ideas

Required practicals

1. Microscopy

2. Microbiology

3. Osmosis

4. Food tests

5. Enzymes

6. Photosynthesis

7. Reaction Time

8. Germination

9. Field investigations

10. Decay

Assessment

Paper 1 Year 10

Topics 1–4: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

Foundation and Higher Tier

100 marks

50% of GCSE

Paper 2 Year 11

Topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

Foundation and Higher Tier

100 marks

50% of GCSE

AQA Separate Sciences – Chemistry 8642

QAN code: 601/8757/8

Subject content

1. Atomic structure and the periodic table

2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter

3. Quantitative chemistry

4. Chemical changes

5. Energy changes

6. The rate and extent of chemical change

7. Organic chemistry

8. Chemical analysis

9. Chemistry of the atmosphere

10. Using resources

Required Practicals

1.Making salts

2. Neutralisation

3.Electrolysis

4.Temperature changes

5.Rates of reaction

6.Chromatography

7. Identifying ions

8.Water purification

Assessment

Paper 1: Year 10

Topics 1–5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes.

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

Foundation and Higher Tier

100 marks

50% of GCSE

Paper 2: Year 11

Topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

Foundation and Higher Tier

100 marks

50% of GCSE

AQA Separate Science – Physics 8643

QAN code: 601/8751/7

Subject content

1. Energy

2. Electricity

3. Particle model of matter

4. Atomic structure

5. Forces

6. Waves

7. Magnetism and electromagnetism

8. Space physics

Required practicals

1.Specific Heat capacity

2. Thermal Insulation

3. Resistance

4. V-I Characteristics

5. Density

6. Force and expansion

7. Acceleration

8. Waves

9. Radiation and Absorption

10. Light

Assessment

Paper 1: Year 10

Topics 1-4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

Foundation and Higher Tier

100 marks

50% of GCSE

Paper 2: Year 11

Topics 5-8: Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; and Space physics.

Questions in paper 2 may draw on an understanding of energy changes and transfers due to heating, mechanical and electrical work and the concept of energy conservation from Energy and Electricity.

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

Foundation and Higher Tier

100 marks

50% of GCSE

Combined Science Course

AQA Combined Science (Trilogy) 8464

QAN code: 601/8758/X

Subject content

Biology

1. Cell biology

2. Organisation

3. Infection and response

4. Bioenergetics

5. Homeostasis and response

6. Inheritance, variation and evolution

7. Ecology

Chemistry

8. Atomic structure and the periodic table

9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter

10. Quantitative chemistry

11. Chemical changes

12. Energy changes

13. The rate and extent of chemical change

14. Organic chemistry

15. Chemical analysis

16. Chemistry of the atmosphere

17. Using resources

Physics

18. Energy

19. Electricity

20. Particle model of matter

21. Atomic structure

22. Forces

23. Waves

24. Magnetism and electromagnetism

Required Practicals

Biology Required Practicals

1. Microscopy

2. Osmosis

3. Food tests

4. Enzymes

5. Photosynthesis

6. Reaction Time

7. Field Investigations

Chemistry Required Practicals

1.Making salts

2.Electrolysis

3.Temperature changes

4.Rates of reaction

5.Chromatography

6.Water purification

Physics Required Practicals

1.Specific Heat capacity

2.Resistance

3.V-I Characteristics

4.Density

5.Force and expansion

6.Acceleration

7.Waves

Assessment

There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. Papers will have multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response type questions.

Biology Paper 1 (Year 10)

Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.