Richmond School
School Departments | Science
KS3
The National Curriculum for key stage 3 science has changed. From September 2008 all schools in England and Wales must teach courses which match the new National Curriculum... Read More...GCSE Science
The suite of qualifications offered in science at GCSE will be 21st Century Science. There are three options in science… Click here for options info...Biology AS/A2 - Awarding Body AQA
This course provides opportunities to study living organisms in an exciting, challenging and stimulating way. The course builds on concepts and skills you have acquired in the new GCSE science courses, as well as giving insights into areas which will be new to you. It will allow you to develop your investigation skills in the laboratory and during field work.Course Content
AS
Unit 1 Biology and Disease will cover:
- How diseases may be caused by infectious pathogens or the effects of lifestyle
- The digestive system and how it works
- The chemicals of living things
- Electron and light microscopes allow us to study cells in detail
- Lungs and how they may be affected by infectious diseases and lifestyle
- The heart
- How blood defends us
Unit 2 The Variety of Living Organisms will cover:
- Genetics and the environment cause variation
- DNA
- The link between DNA and diversity
- How cells divide
- Evolution
- Measuring biodiversity
Unit 3 is coursework assessment of practical skills
A2
Unit 4 Populations and Environment will cover:
- Population size and what affects it
- ATP as an energy source
- How respiration in cells releases useful energy
- Energy in ecosystems
- Recycling chemical elements in ecosystems
- Colonizing new ground
- How new species arise
Unit 5 Control in Cells and in Organisms will cover:
- How stimuli are detected and how an organism responds
- Nerve cells and hormones
- Skeletal muscle contraction
- Homeostasis and survival
- The genetic code
- Gene mutations
- Genetic modification
Unit 6 is coursework assessment of practical skills
Chemistry AS/A2 - Awarding Body AQA
Have you ever wondered how we have worked out the structure of natural materials such as hormones or penicillin and then been able to make them in the lab – perhaps even improving their desirable properties? How we can analyse over 100 different chemicals in one puff of cigarette smoke? What chemicals do you use? You may think of salt, medicines, cleaning agents – but would you consider your clothes, your food – or you? The Chemical industry is Britain’s third largest manufacturing industry and the UK’s number one export earner. In spite of this, there is a shortage of chemists and so grades required for University entry are often low.
This is the essential A level subject for anyone wanting to study medicine, veterinary science or dentistry. It is also a valuable ‘service’ subject for those wishing to study Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Forensics and Engineering. An increasing number of students are combining the subject with one or more Arts subjects - perhaps because Chemistry is a very creative Science.
You should have achieved at least a B in ‘Additional Science’ (or its equivalent) at GCSE. What is equally as important is your capacity to work hard.
AS Unit - Foundation ChemistryThis module explores the fundamental principles that form the basis of chemistry. Assessment will be by examination in January 2009. (33.3% of the AS marks)
AS Unit 2 - Chemistry in actionThis unit introduces more of the principles that underpin chemistry and looks at the application of these principles and those that have been developed in Unit 1. Wherever possible students will carry out practical work to illustrate the theoretical principles involved. Assessment will be by examination in June 2009. (46.66% of the AS marks)
AS Unit 3 - Investigative and Practical skillsStudents will carry out experimental and investigative activities to develop their practical skills. These skills will be centre assessed through two methods
- Investigative Skills Assignment
- Practical Skills assessment
Assessment will be in school during the year 2008-09. (20% of the AS marks)
This unit develops the concepts of physical chemistry introduced at AS. The study of organic chemistry is also extended. The final element examines the way that spectroscopy can be used to determine the structure of organic molecules. Assessment will be by examination in (hopefully) January 2010. (20% of the total A Level marks)
A2 Unit 5 - Energetics, Redox and Inorganic ChemistryThis unit considers the driving force behind reactions and the idea of chaos in the universe (Entropy). Further studies are made of patterns in reactions of elements and compounds. The final segment of the unit considers the fascinating chemistry of the transition metals and their compounds. Assessment will be by examination in June 2010. (20% of the AS marks)
A2 Unit 6 - Investigative and Practical skillsThis unit is very similar to that of Unit 3. Students will carry out experimental and investigative activities to develop their practical skills. These skills will be centre assessed through two methods
- Investigative Skills Assignment
- Practical Skills assessment
Assessment will be in school during the academic year 2009-10. (10% of the AS marks)
Physics AS/A2
Science helps us make sense of the natural world. Physics examines the most fundamental questions: What are the particles that matter is made of? What holds them together? What are space and time? In the course you will meet strange new theories like relativity and quantum mechanics. You might deal with familiar applications – medical physics, car engines, nuclear power, or speculate about the origins of the universe. Physicists need to be curious about how things work and to be adaptable and enjoy challenges.There are units that cover the following broad areas…
- Quantum behaviour
- Space and the Universe
- Materials
- Communication
- Electromagnetism
- Radioactivity
- Models and rules
- Matter in extremes
There will be examinations in January and June of year 12 (for AS) and year 13 (for A2). In total these account for 80% of the qualification. The remaining 20% is assessed using coursework tasks which are based on investigative and enquiry skills.
A wide range of methods is used to teach Physics, but discussion, problem-solving, ICT and practical work are central to our approach to student learning. Teaching is shared between two staff. During the course you will also develop your observational, communication, ICT and mathematical skills.
A-level qualifications in Physics are highly respected by universities and employers alike because they demonstrate an aptitude in problem solving. It is excellent preparation for further study in Physics and Natural Sciences, and other science based courses, such as Material Science, Engineering, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. It is also good preparation for a wide range of careers such as Research and Development, Business and Law, Education, Environmental Science.
Ideally you should have achieved at least a two grade B in GCSE Science and Additional Science or their equivalent if you are to succeed at this level.
Applied Science AS/A2
Applied Science is new course and is intended to follow on from the applied science GCSE that we introduced recently. The course focuses on studying how scientists and those in science-based careers work. Read More...Contact Information
Mr D Bailey - Head of ScienceMr K Cole - Assistant Head of Science (KS3)