Applied Science AS / A Level

SCIENCE APPLIED AS / A LEVEL
The Advanced Science course differs from conventional A levels in 2 main ways. It is based on the sort of work and practical skills that scientists use in business and industry. The Science studied is related to Science within the workplace. Real examples are seen on visits and fieldwork.

Two thirds of the work is course-work and one third is assessed by examination. This means that there is a lot of hands on practical experiments to complete i.e. assessing vinegar, analysing powders, calculating Enthalpy changes of fuels.

Are there any special requirements?

It nvolves you working as an analyst in a laboratory, working precisely and recording and interpreting all data. You assess vinegar, analyse forensic powders, complete a glucose tolerance test using a colorimeter, design a chromatography experiment and calculate molar enthalpy of different fuels.

A2 - Year 2
After successfully completing the AS course you can study three more units. One of these units must be unit 7- These units are academically more demanding and can be as follows:

Unit 7: Planning and Carrying out a Scientific Investigation

Y ou will undertake research and investigative work of your own. This year the students are making a new "smelly" compound for Proctor & Gamble!

Unit 9: Sports Science

This unit will enable you to find out about how science is involved in sport and includes fitness, sports injuries and occupations. You will have the opportunity to increase your own diet 7 fitness over a 4 week intensive programme.

Unit 11: Controlling Chemical Processes
In this unit you will learnt about the industrial manufacture of chemical components, the effect of reaction conditions on chemical change and how to investigate chemical change in the laboratory.

Unit 14: The Healthy Body
Y ou will consider some health and fitness measurements used to monitor the activity of the body to assist with diagnosis of disease, recovery from illness and injury to improve sports performance. You will study human biological systems and how they function.

Unit 15 : The Role of the Pathology Service
In this unit you will learn about the role of the biochemistry, haematology, microbiology and pathology departments, and the types of test undertaken in each department. You may get to witness these at Scarborough Hospital.

Unit 16 : Ecology, Conservation and Recycling
You will conduct an ecological survey and estimate the distribution of organisms in a habitat. You will research the environmental damage caused by an activity, and the recycling of a material by a local authority.

What skills will I need and be developing during the course?

• You will need very good attendance and to be punctual
  
• You will need to develop your research skills using a wide range of sources of information.
  
• You will need to develop your manipulative skills. Practical work is the key to this course.
  
• You will need to become numerate. Support will be given.
  
• You will learn to express ideas in your own words. Scientists need to be able to present their results.
  

How is the Course assessed?

• One third of the work is externally assessed (1 units) and two thirds (2 units) is internally assessed.
  
• The rest of the units are internally assessed. This means that you build up a portfolio of work for the unit, within the classroom, which is assessed by your teacher and then moderated.
  
• You can see that there is much more practical work in this A level rather than in conventional A levels therefore, this A level suits students who are well organised, achieve more when they can take time over their work and when they take ownership of their studies.
  

What career opportunities are there?

• Advanced Science provides an excellent route to university for a whole range of different science based degree courses e.g. Forensics, Engineering, Nutrition, Sports Studies etc.
  
• Previous students have continued to HND and BSC degree courses in such subjects as Motor Engineering, Transport Studies, Information Technology, Biochemistry, Forensics, Marine Studies, Sports Science, Midwifery, Medicine etc.
  
• So far all our students who have applied to university have been successful in gaining a place . A few have chosen to go directly into employment in science based industries and the armed forces.
  
• Either way Advanced Science gives YOU the choice.
  

...and what else??

• You would be working in well equipped modern laboratories with good technical help. There are also excellent IT facilities and an up to date library to help you in your work and you will be encouraged to use these.
  
• There are some industrial visits, and some key speakers come into college from industry to talk to you. Additionally for some units you complete local fieldwork as part of environmental work.
  

Entry Requirement
Yes. You must have grades CC in GCSE Dual Science and a total of 5 grade C's or more.
A good attendance record is essential.
What and how will I be studying?
AS - Year 1
Unit 1: Investigating science at work
Looks at lots of different ways in which scientists are employed. We will make a number of visits to scientific organisations for this and do some field work as well. An example is to look at The Deep in Hull. However; you may tailor this unit to a career you are interested in i.e. midwifery, army, RAF, zoologist etc
Unit 2: Energy Transfer Systems
Involves structure and function of the human body and the roles of the energy transfer. Additionally controlling energy transfers is an important part of modern life and looks at energy usage in the wider community and how wastage impacts on the world.
Unit 3: Finding out about substances