Science
Members of the Department
Mrs McArdle (Leader of Science)
Mr McMullan
Mrs Hughes
Miss Cochrange
Mr Catney
Ashley Lilley (Technician)
Aims
To stimulate pupils’ curiosity and enthusiasm to develop a sense of wonder in science
To developing skills in scientific methods of enquiry
To engage pupils to develop understanding of the processes of science as well as content of scientific knowledge
Science in St Joseph’s College builds on the learning carried out in Primary School in ‘The World Around Us’. Science stimulates students’ curiosity, interest and helps them understand how major scientific ideas can lead to advancement in technology. Through practical investigations, students are provided with the opportunity to develop many invaluable life skills such as their ability to work with others and their creative and critical thinking.
KS3
All three Science disciplines are taught in Year 8 -10 in preparation for the demands of KS4.
Course Content:
Year 8
Scientific Investigation
Materials and their Uses
Cells, Tissues and Body Organ Systems
Plant Reproduction
Energy and sustainable Learning
Separation Techniques
Year 9
Acids and Alkalis
Food and Digestion
Recycling
Electricity
Chemical Reactions and Gases
Energy and Forces
Year 10
Heat Transfer
Reproduction
Periodic table
Light and Sound
Solar System
Ecology
KS4
The courses currently offered at KS4 are
Single Award Science
Double Award Science
OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in Applied Science
Single Award Science
A two-year course for students who choose to study one science at GCSE.
The assessment of Single Award Science is made up of 4 components
Paper 1 - Biology 25% weighting
Paper 2 - Chemistry 25% weighting
Paper 3 - Physics 25% weighting
Practical Skills Assessment 25% weighting
Module Exams / assessments can be sat at the following times:
Module 1 - February year 11
Module 2 - November year 12
Module 3 - May year 12
Module 4 -
Practical Skills Assessment Part A – (7.5%) carrying out experiments and collection of data (January – May year 12)
Part B (17.5%) completed June Year 12
Double Award Science
A two-year course for students who choose to study two sciences at GCSE.
The assessment of Double Award Science is made as follows:
3 examinations sat in year 11
Paper 1 - Biology 11% of final mark
Paper 1 - Chemistry 11% of final mark
Paper 1- Physics 11% of final mark
Examinations Times
Year 11 Module 1 and 2- February year 11
Year 11 Module 3- June year 11
4 examinations sat in June of Year 12
Paper 2 - Biology- 14% of final mark
Paper 2 - Chemistry- 14% of final mark
Paper 2 - Physics- 14% of final mark
Practical Skills Assessment- 25% of final mark
Part A – (7.5%) carrying out experiments and collection of data (January – April year 12)
Part B (17.5%) completed June year 12
OCN Applied Science
This is a portfolio-based course – successful completion allows the student to achieve a Grade B equivalent at GCSE.
The course is made up of three units:
Physical Processes
Life Processes and Living Things
Materials and their Chemical processes
Post 16
St Joseph’s College offers CCEA Life and Health Sciences for Post 16 students. This is a Double Award / Single Award course this means that on successful completion of the 2-year course you will obtain 2 / 1 A Levels.
This course differs from other A level courses, it involves a significant amount of coursework – 50% which contributes towards the final AS/A2 grades.
Content
AS – This is comprised of 6 units, (double Award) 3 units, (single award)
Unit 1- Experimental Techniques- Internal practical based May Year 13
Unit 2-Human Body Systems External- Written Examination May Year 13
Unit 3- Aspects of Physical Chemistry in Industrial Processes- External Written Examination May Year 13
Unit 4- Brain Science Internal- Portfolio January Year13
Unit 5- Material Science- External Written Examination May Year 13
Unit 6- Medicines, Drugs and Clinical Trials Internal- Portfolio January Year13
A2 14. This is comprised of 6 units, (double Award) 3 units, (single award)
The units are detailed below:
A2.1- Scientific Method, Investigation, Analysis and Evaluation-Internal practical based January Year 14
A2.2- Organic Chemistry- External Written Examination May Year 14
A2.3- Medical Physics- External Written Examination May Year 14
A2.3- Sound and Light- External Written Examination May Year 14
A2.7- Oral, Health and Dentistry- Internal Portfolio May Year 14
A2.9- Analytical Chemistry Techniques- Internal Portfolio January Year 14
Career Opportunities
The study of Science opens up numerous students. St Joseph’s past pupils have gone on to a wide variety of careers to include:
Study
Radiography
Nursing
Accountancy
Business
Engineering
Teaching
Forensics
Biomedical Science
Marine Biology