A-Level Science

: Science

We offer 3 separate sciences within our 6th form: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In order to study Science at A-Level, students need at least an A in their GCSE sciences.

All three of these sciences follow the OCR exam board (www.ocr.org.uk)

Biology

Entry requirements

We require that students wishing to do the AS course achieve an A grade Biology GCSE or Additional Science GCSE.

Exam board

OCR

Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Physics A (H021)
Advanced GCE in Physics A (H421)
Specification: http://www.ocr.org.uk/download/kd/ocr_9600_kd_gce_spec.pdf

Outline of the course

AS Units

Cells, Exchange and Transport (F211)
Molecules, Biodiversity, Food and Health (F212)
Practical Skills in Biology 1 (F213)

A2 Units

Communication, Homeostasis and Energy (F214)
Control, Genomes and Environment (F215)
Practical Skills in Biology 2 (F216)

AS GCE Scheme of Assessment

AS GCE Biology A (F211)

AS Unit H021: Cells, Exchange and Transport

30% of the total AS GCE marks
1 h written paper
60 marks
Candidates answer all questions.

AS Unit F212: Molecules, Biodiversity, Food and Health

50% of the total AS GCE marks
1h 45 mins written paper
100 marks
Candidates to answer all questions

AS Unit F213: Practical Skills in Biology 1

20% of the total AS GCE marks
Coursework
40 marks
Candidates complete three tasks set by OCR. Tasks are marked.

Advanced GCE Scheme of Assessment

A2 Unit F214: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy

15% of the total Advanced GCE marks
1 h 15 min written paper
60 marks
Candidates answer all questions.
This unit is synoptic.

A2 Unit F215 Control, Genomes and Environment

25% of the total Advanced GCE marks
2 h written paper
100 marks
Candidates answer all questions.
This unit is synoptic.

A2 Unit F216: Practical Skills in Biology 2

10% of the total Advanced GCE marks
Coursework
40 marks
Candidates complete three tasks set by OCR. Tasks are marked by the centre using a mark scheme written by OCR.

Aims of the course

develop their interest in and enthusiasm for biology, including developing an interest in further study and careers in biology;
appreciate how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society;
develop and demonstrate a deeper appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of How Science Works;
develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of biology and how they relate to each other

Expectations:

Nightly revision (summarising notes and doing questions)
Independent research
Homework
Pro-active attitude to study (if you don’t know something, ask a question or do some research)

Valuable websites

http://www.cneccc.edu.hk/subjects/bio/biopowerpoint.htm

http://www.biology-innovation.co.uk/

http://www.district279.org/sec/pcsh/rhollbio/rhollbio.htm#1.3

Chemistry

You’ll study everything from basic chemical principles to organic chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and instrumental techniques for analysis. Chemistry is the study of the elements and their compounds and brings together elements of Physics and Biology.

How long is the course?

1 - 2 years.

What will I be studying?

AS Level (first year of course)

F321: Atoms, Bonds and Groups

1 hour written exam
AS Level - 30%
A-Level - 15%

In this unit you will learn about Atoms, Molecules and Stoichiometry. Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding and Structure and the Periodic Table (including group 2 and Group 7).

F322: Chains, Energy and Resources

1 hour 45 mins written exam
AS-Level - 50%
A-Level - 25%

In this unit you will learn about the basic concepts of Organic Chemistry, These will include Alkanes, Alkenes, Fuels, Alcohols and Halogenalkanes. The basic concepts of Physical Chemistry will also be covered these will include Enthalpy changes, Reaction Rates and Chemical Equilibrium.

F323: Practical Skills in Chemistry 1

Interal Assessment
AS-Level - 20%
A-Level - 10%

A2 Level (second year of course)

F324: Rings, Polymers and Analysis

1 hour written exam
A-Level - 15%

In this unit you will learn more about Organic Chemistry and investigate some of the ways that substances are analysed.

F325: Equilibria, Energetics and Elements

Rates, Equilibrium and pH
Energy
Transition Elements
1 hour 45 min written exam
A-Level - 25%

In this unit you will learn more about Physical Chemistry, like Equilibrium, Kinetics and Acid/Base Chemistry.

F326: Practical Skills in Chemistry 2

Internal assessment
A-Level - 10%

Entry Requirements

5 A* to C passes at GCSE which should include at least grade A’s in Double Science (or Chemistry) and a B in Mathematics.

Physics

Entry Requirements

Due to the vast difference between GCSE and AS-Level Physics, we require that students wishing to do the AS course achieve an A grade in both Physics (triple science) and Maths at GCSE. Students who have completed Core and Additional science given an opportunity to take the course on for a 'trial period' of 3 weeks until the first round of tests.

Exam Board

OCR

Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Physics A (H158)
Advanced GCE in Physics A (H558)
Specification: http://www.ocr.org.uk/download/kd/ocr_9587_kd_gce_spec.pdf
Outline of the Course

AS Units

Mechanics (G481)
Electrons, Waves and Photons (G482)
Practical Skills in Physics 1 (G483)

A2 Units

The Newtonian World (G484)
Fields, Particles and Frontiers of Physics (G485)
Practical Skills in Physics 2 (G486)

AS GCE Scheme of Assessment

AS GCE Physics A (H158)

AS Unit G481: Mechanics

30% of the total AS GCE marks
1 h written paper
60 marks
Candidates answer all questions

AS Unit G482: Electrons, Waves and Photons

50% of the total AS GCE marks1 h 45 min written paper
100 marks
Candidates answer all questions.

AS Unit G483: Practical Skills in Physics 1

20% of the total AS GCE marks
Coursework
40 marks
Candidates complete three tasks set by OCR.Tasks are marked

Advanced GCE Scheme of Assessment

A2 Unit G484: The Newtonian World

15% of the total Advanced GCE marks
1 h 15 min written paper
60 marks
Candidates answer all questions.
This unit is synoptic.

A2 Unit G485 Fields, Particles and Frontiers of Physics

25% of the total Advanced GCE marks
2 h written paper
100 marks
Candidates answer all questions.
This unit is synoptic.

A2 Unit G486: Practical Skills in Physics 2

10% of the total Advanced GCE marks
Coursework
40 marks
Candidates complete three tasks set by OCR. Tasks are marked by the centre using a mark scheme written by OCR.

Aims of the course

develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for physics, including developing an interest in further study and careers in physics
appreciate how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society
develop and demonstrate a deeper appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of How Science Works;
develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of Physics and how they relate to each other.

Expectations

Nightly revision (summarising notes and doing questions)
Independent research
Homework
Pro-active attitude to study (if you don’t know something, ask a question or do some research)