Why do we learn applied science?
Head of Department
Our approach
Year 12
Year 13

Why do we learn applied science?

Completing the BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Applied Science provides pupils with a genuine insight into how science has shaped modern life. It is a demanding course that will provide pupils with a range of transferable skills and a knowledge set that will allow them to continue their studies at University or move into the career of their choice, Science-based or otherwise.

Head of Department

Head of Science

Ms E Duncan

e.duncan@arkbolingbrokeacademy.org

Our approach

The topics explored on the Applied Science course include, in biology, microbiology, disease, and human physiology. Within chemistry pupils will look at organic, inorganic and industrial-scale chemistry. In the field of physics pupils will explore physical properties of materials in more detail as well as how medical physics have shaped our understanding of health. Units based around infection, biomedical science and forensic analysis are just a few examples of how this course allows pupils to see how science is used on a practical level. Students will also have the opportunity to pursue their own scientific interests through an investigative project.

Year 12

Biology

Autumn

Unit 1 – Structure and functions of cells and Tissues 

  • Cell Structure and function
  • Cell Specialisation
  • Tissue structure and function  

Unit 8 – Physiology of Human Body Systems

  • Structure of the musculoskeletal system
  • Function of the musculoskeletal system
  • Health matter and treatments related to musculoskeletal system
  • Structure of the lymphatic system
  • Function of the lymphatic system
  • Health matters and treatments related to musculoskeletal system 
Spring

Unit 3:  Science Investigation Skills

  • Developing a hypothesis
  • Selecting appropriate equipment
  • Health and safety associated with the investigation
  • Variables
  • Data collection and analysis  

Unit 8 – Physiology of Human Body Systems

  • Structure of the digestive system
  • Function of the digestive system
  • Health matters and treatments related to digestive system  

Unit 4 – Laboratory Techniques and their Application

  • Health and Safety Legislation in scientific organisations
  • Hazard in a scientific organisation
Summer

Unit 3:  Science Investigation Skills

  • Collection of quantitative/qualitative data
  • Processing data  
  • Managing laboratory information  
  • Communicating information in a scientific organisation  
  • Using informatics for storage and retrieval  

Unit 4 – Laboratory Techniques and their Application  

  • Manufacturing techniques  
  • Testing methods and techniques  
  • Manufacturing techniques  
  • Industrial manufacturing techniques  
  • Estimation of purity 

Chemistry

Autumn

Unit 1: Periodicity and properties of elements  

  • Structure and bonding in applications in science
  • Production and uses of substances in relation to properties  

Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

  • Laboratory equipment and its calibration  
  • Preparation and standardisation of solutions using titration  
  • Colorimetry  

Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

  • Thermometers  
  • Cooling curves 
Spring

Unit 3:  Science Investigation Skills

  • Interpretation and analysis of data
  • Evaluation  

Unit 3 – Science Investigative Skills  

  • Protein Structure
  • Enzymes as biological catalysts 
  • Factors that affect enzyme activity  

Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques  

  • Chromatographic techniques  
  • Application of chromatography  
  • Interpretation of a chromatogram 
Summer

Unit 3 – Science Investigative Skills  

  • Factors affecting the rate of diffusion  
  • Arrangement and movement of molecules  

Unit 3 – Science Investigative Skills  

  • Factors that affect plant growth  
  • Sampling techniques  
  • Sampling sizes

Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques  

  • Personal responsibility  
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Professional Practice

Physics

Autumn

Unit 1: Waves in communication

  • Working with waves
  • Waves in communication  
  • Electromagnetic waves  

Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications  

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Lasers
  • Infrared thermography  
  • Ultrasound

Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications  

  • X rays  
  • CT and CAT
  • Gamma ray imaging  
  • Radiotherapy, Gamma knife surgery and proton beam therapy
Spring

Unit 3: Science Investigation skills

  • Energy content of fuels
  • Hazards associated with fuels
  • Units of Energy  
  • Electrical circuits  

Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications

  • Safety precautions, side effects and risks for operations and patients of non-ionising radiation
  • Safety precautions, side effects and risks for operations and patients of ionising radiation  

Unit 15: Electrical Circuits and their applications

  • Electrical symbols, units and definitions
  • Electrical formulae and relationships
  • Electrical properties and uses of materials 
Summer

Unit 15: Electrical Circuits and their applications

  • Circuit characteristics
  • Measurement devices

Unit 15: Electrical Circuits and their applications

  • DC Production
  • AC Production and transmission
  • Domestic appliances and mains supply
  • Industrial applications
  • Safety, human physiology and electricity and legislation  

Unit 15: Electrical Circuits and their applications

  • Uses of passive transducers
  • Uses of active transducers
  • Uses of sensors and other measurement devices  

All Year 12 subjects 

Year 13

Biology

Autumn

Unit 5: Principles and Applications of Science II

  • The Cardiovascular system 
  • Ventilation and gas exchange in the lungs  
  • Urinary system  
  • Cell transport mechanisms  

Unit 12: Diseases and Infection  

  • Pathogens and infectious disease
  • Dietary and environmental diseases
  • Genetic and degenerative diseases
  • Progressive disease over time  

Unit 12: Diseases and Infection  

  • Methods by which infectious diseases can be spread
  • Methods by which infectious diseases can be prevented from spreading  
  • Management of infectious diseases 
Spring

Unit 9: Human Regulation and Reproduction  

  • Structure and function of reproductive anatomy
  • Reproductive processes  

Unit 12: Diseases and Infection  

  • Methods of treatment  
  • Access to and acceptance of treatment

Unit 12: Diseases and Infection  

  • Defence mechanisms  
  • Non-specific
  • Specific 
Summer

Unit 9: Human Regulation and Reproduction  

  • Feedback and control  
  • Glands and organs
  • Homeostatic mechanisms  
  • Impact of imbalance 

Chemistry

Autumn

Unit 5: Principles and applications of Science II

  • Relating properties to uses and production of substances  
  • Structures, reactions and properties of commercially important organic compounds  
  • Energy changes in industry  

Unit 25: Forensic Fire Investigation  

  • Chemistry of combustion  
  • Methods used for extinguishing a fire
  • Heat Transfer

Unit 25: Forensic Fire Investigation  

  • Causes of a fire  
  • Phases of a fire
  • Fire Behaviour 
Spring

Unit 9: Human Regulation and Reproduction  

  • Nervous system Organisation  
  • Cardiovascular and respiratory system regulation and control  

Unit 25: Forensic Fire Investigation

  • Fire Scene
  • Witness evidence  
  • Documentation  
  • Agencies involved in fire prevention and investigation  

Unit 7: Contemporary Issues in Science

  • Scientific issues in terms of ethical/ social/ economic/ environmental impact  
  • Influence of different organisations on scientific issues  
Summer

Unit 7: Contemporary Issues in Science

  • Interpretation and analysis of scientific information  
  • Evaluation of scientific information

Unit 7: Contemporary Issues in Science

  • Know how sicence is reported on in the media
  • Understand the presentation of science reporting and its relationship with the reporting medium and target audience 

Physics

Autumn

Unit 5: Principles and applications of Science 2

  • Thermal physics in domestic and industrial applications
  • Materials in domestic and industrial applications
  • Fluids in motion  
Spring

Unit 6: Investigative project  

  • Literature review
  • Investigative project proposal  

Unit 6: Investigative project  

  • Schedule  
  • Plan
  • Health and Safety and ethical considerations  

Unit 6: Investigative project  

  • Experimental procedure and techniques  
  • Collect, collate and analyse data
  • Data presentation 
Summer

Unit 6: Investigative project  

  • Scientific report for the investigative project
  • Scientific evaluation of findings  
  • Skill development within project work

All Year 13 subjects