BTEC Level 3 Extended National Certificate in Applied Science
The BTEC NCF Level 3 qualification is designed to provide highly specialist, work-related qualifications in a range of vocational sectors. They give learners the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to prepare for employment. The qualifications provide progression opportunities to higher education, degree and professional development programmes within the same or related areas of study, within universities and other institutions or straight out to employment opportunities.
This BTEC qualification provides students with ample opportunity to develop lab and investigation skills that will help prepare them for future pathways in jobs such as nursing, physiotherapy, lab assistant and midwifery. They attract UCAS points that equate to similar-sized general qualifications within education institutions within the UK.
Year 1 (BTEC Certificate)
Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science I
This unit allows learners to develop their knowledge and understanding of core concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, which provide a strong basis for anyone wanting to progress in any science-related career. Topics covered include the study of the chemistry of the elements, the structure and function of cells and tissues as well as the use of waves in communication. This is an externally assessed exam, worth 50% of this year, which the students will sit in the summer.
Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
This unit allows learners to develop their practical skills in core laboratory techniques. Learners will have the opportunity to become proficient in carrying out titrations, colorimetry, calorimetry, and thin layer chromatography. The skills developed in this unit will help learners develop their confidence in carrying out laboratory-based work in their future studies in Higher Education and industry. This is a coursework module, internally assessed, worth 50% of this year.
Successful completion of the course in Year 12 allows students to carry on and complete the Level 3 Extended Certificate which is one GCE A Level equivalent.
Year 2 (BTEC Extended Certificate)
Unit 3: Scientific Investigation Skills
This unit allows learners to build upon and extend their science skills and knowledge from Units 1 and 2 as well as in carrying out scientific investigations. Learners will develop their knowledge of plants and the environment, enzymes, the movement of molecules, the energy content of fuels, and electrical circuits, in addition to their skills in carrying out a scientific investigation. This an externally assessed unit, which the students will sit in January of year 13, worth 66% of this year.
Optional Units:
-
Physiology of Human Body Systems
-
Human Regulation and Reproduction
-
Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways
-
Genetics and Genetic Engineering
-
Diseases and Infections
-
Applications of Inorganic Chemistry
-
Applications of Organic Chemistry
-
Electrical Circuits and their Application
-
Astronomy and Space Science
The students will then complete 3 pieces of coursework in their chosen option module worth 33% of this year.
Entry requirements A minimum of two 5 grades in Science. Students must also have GCSE Maths and English to grade 5 standard.
P16 Biology
The NEW GCE AS course has been developed to follow on directly on from the combined and separate GCSE science courses, with two 6's in Science, a 6 in maths and a 5 in English as the entry requirements. Biology is popular with both genders and is widely regarded as a good entry qualification for university courses. The course includes a variety of practical activity such as investigating the rate of reaction of enzymes, cellular microscopy and organ dissections.
The AS course comprises of 4 main areas biological molecules, cells, organisms exchange substance with their environment and genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms. Students will sit 2 mock papers in the summer examination window which will test their knowledge and understand of the year’s content. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are 1 hour 30 minutes and comprises of 65 marks worth of short answer questions and 10 marks of comprehension style questions.
The NEW GCE A2 course comprises of energy transfer in and between organisms, organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments, genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems and control of gene expression.
The courses are varied, challenging and very rewarding. Biology combines well with and complements many AS and A-Level courses especially the other sciences and maths. It helps students to develop numerical, practical and literacy skills as well as the ability to deal with abstract concepts and independent study techniques.
P16 Chemistry
The NEW GCE AS course has been developed to follow on directly on from the combined and separate GCSE science courses, with two 6's in Science, a 6 in maths and a 5 in English as the entry requirements. Chemistry is popular with both genders and is widely regarded as a good entry qualification for university courses. The course includes a high proportion of practical activity such as quantitative analysis by titration and various organic synthesis experiments. There are weekly practical sessions with marks awarded for this aspect in the end of course examinations.
The AS course comprises of 3 key areas of study, Organic, Inorganic and Physical totalling 160 marks : Chemistry 1(80), Chemistry 2 (80) each mock exam is 1hr30 in length and consists of long, short and multiple choice questions.
The NEW GCE A2 course comprises of extended study of Organic, Inorganic and Physical and further practical components. 3 A2 exams totalling 300 marks are taken in the summer of year 13. Paper 1 and 2 will both be 2hr in length (105 long and short answers), paper 3 will examine the full specification including the practical aspects and will include a section of multiple choice questions within the 2hr exam (90 marks).
The courses are varied, challenging and very rewarding. Chemistry combines well with and complements many AS and A-Level courses especially the other sciences and maths. It helps students to develop numerical, practical and literacy skills as well as the ability to deal with abstract concepts and independent study techniques.
P16 Physics
The NEW GCE AS course has been developed to follow on directly on from the combined and separate GCSE science courses, with two 6's in Science, a 6 in maths and a 5 in English as the entry requirements.. Physics is traditionally more popular with boys although we are narrowing the gender gap; it is widely regarded as an excellent entry qualification for university courses. The course includes a proportion of practical activity such as the resistivity of a length of wire and the electromotive force of a cell. There will be 6 compulsory practicals during the 1st year that are assessed by the class teacher and moderated by an external verifier.
The AS course comprises of 3 key areas of study, Particles and Quantum Phenomena, Electricity and Mechanics totalling 140 marks : Physics 1(70) and Physics 2 (70) each mock exam is 1hr30 in length and consists of long, short and multiple choice questions.
The NEW GCE A2 course comprises of extended study of Mechanics and thermal Physics, Fields and their consequences and an optional component of Turning Points in Physics. 3 A2 exams totalling 250 marks are taken in the summer of year 13. Paper 1 and 2 will both be 2hr in length (85 marks long and short answers), paper 3 (section A, 45 marks) will examine the full specification including the practical aspects and will include a section of multiple choice questions. Section B (35 marks) will be on the optional component of Turning Points in Physics.
The courses are varied, challenging and very rewarding. Physics combines well with and complements many AS and A-Level courses especially the other sciences and maths. It helps students to develop numerical, practical and literacy skills as well as the ability to deal with abstract concepts and independent study techniques.