KS4 CURRICULUM Science - BTEC Students have four lessons per fortnight completing a BTEC in the Principles of Applied Science. This is the equivalent to one GCSE. Unit One Principles of Science; externally examined unit Unit Two Chemistry ; internally assessed Unit Three Physics ; internally assessed Unit Four Biology ; internally assessed Explore cells, organs and genes Explore the roles of the nervous and endocrine systems in homeostasis and communication Explore atomic structure and the periodic table Explore substances and chemical reactions Explore the importance of energy stores, energy transfers and energy transformations Explore the properties and applications of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. Investigate chemical reactivity and bonding Investigate how the uses of chemical substances depend on their chemical and physical properties Investigate the factors involved in the rate of chemical reactions Understand the factors that are affecting the Earth and its environment. Understand ionising radiation, its uses and sources Know how electrical energy produced from different sources can be transferred through the National Grid to homes and industry Know the components of the Solar System, the way the Universe is changing and the methods we use to explore space. Investigate the relationships that different organisms have with each other and with their environment Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of human activity on the environment and how these effects can be measured Explore the factors that affect human health.
KS4 CURRICULUM Science - Core B1 You and your B1.1 What are genes and how do they affect the way that organisms develop? genes B1.2 Why can people look like their parents, brothers and sisters, but not be identical to them? B1.3 How can and should genetic information be used? How can we use our knowledge of genes to prevent disease? B1.4 How is a clone made? B2 Keeping healthy B2.1 How do our bodies resist infection? B2.2 What are vaccines and antibiotics and how do they work? B2.3 What factors increase the risk of heart disease? B2.4 How do our bodies keep a healthy water balance? B3 Life on Earth B3.1 Systems in balance how do different species depend on each other? B3.2 How has life on Earth evolved? B3.3 What is the importance of biodiversity? C1 Air quality C1.1 Which chemicals make up air, and which ones are pollutants? How do I make sense of data about air pollution? C1.2 What chemical reactions produce air pollutants? What happens to these pollutants in the atmosphere? C1.3 What choices can we make personally, locally, nationally or globally to improve air quality? C2 Material C2.1 How do we measure the properties of materials and why are the results useful? choices C2.2 Why is crude oil important as a source of new materials such as plastics and fibres? C2.3 Why does it help to know about the molecular structure of materials such as plastics and fibres? C2.4 What is nanotechnology and why is it important? C3 Chemicals in C3.1 What were the origins of minerals in Britain that contribute to our economic wealth? our lives; risks and C3.2 Where does salt come from and why is it so important? benefits C3.3 Why do we need chemicals such as alkalis and chlorine and how do we make them? C3.4 What can we do to make our use of chemicals safe and sustainable? P1 The Earth in the P1.1 What do we know about the place of the Earth in the Universe? Universe P1.2 What do we know about the Earth and how it is changing?
P2 Radiation and life P3 Sustainable energy P2.1 What types of electromagnetic radiation are there? What happens when radiation hits an object? P2.2 Which types of electromagnetic radiation harm living tissue and why? P2.3 What is the evidence for global warming, why might it be occurring, and how serious a threat is it? P2.4 How are electromagnetic waves used in communications? P3.1 How much energy do we use? P3.2 How can electricity be generated? P3.3 Which energy sources should we choose? 25% controlled assessment: Data analysis and Case study allocated by the board; choice of biology, chemistry or physics. All students undertaking the GCSE course will complete these modules over a two year period. Students have eight lessons a fortnight. The homework is set every week and is normally a revision task (e.g. exam question) from the unit being studied.
B4 The processes of life B5 Growth and development B6 Brain and mind C4 Chemical Patterns KS4 CURRICULUM Science - Additional B4.1 How do chemical reactions take place in living things? Reactions in cells Role of enzymes B4.2 How do plants make food? Photosynthesis. Cell structures for photosynthesis, limiting factors B4.3 How do living organisms obtain energy? - Aerobic respiration - Anaerobic respiration Cell structures for respiration B5.1 How do organisms develop? Embryo development; cell specialisation in plants and animals; plant growth responses B5.2 How does an organism produce new cells? Main processes of the cell cycle; comparisons of mitosis and meiosis B5.3 How do genes control growth and development within the cell? Structure of genetic code and mechanism for protein synthesis B6.1 How do animals respond to changes in their environment? Co-ordination of responses to stimuli via the central nervous system B6.2 How is information passed through the nervous system? Structure of neurons; transmission of electrical impulses, including synapses; effects of Ecstasy on synapse action B6.3 What can we learn through conditioning? Simple reflex actions for survival; mechanism of a reflex arc; conditioned reflexes B6.4 How do humans develop more complex behaviour? Formation of neuron pathways and learning through repetition; mapping brain function; models for understanding memory C4.1 What are the patterns in the properties of elements? The history of the development of the Periodic Table Classifying elements by their position in the Periodic Table. Patterns in Group 1 and patterns in Group 7. Using symbols and equations to represent chemical reactions C4.2 How do chemists explain the patterns in the properties of elements? Flame tests and spectra and their use for identifying elements and studying atomic structure Classifying elements by their atomic structure. Linking atomic structure to chemical properties C4.3 How do chemists explain the properties of compounds of Group 1 and Group 7 elements? Ions, and linking ion formation to atomic structure. Properties of ionic compounds of alkali metals and halogens
C5 Chemicals of the natural environment C6 Chemical synthesis P4 Explaining motion P5 Electric circuits C5.1 What types of chemicals make up the atmosphere? The structure and properties of chemicals found in the atmosphere C5.2 What reactions happen in the hydrosphere? The structure and properties of chemicals found in the hydrosphere, and detecting and identifying ions C5.3 What types of chemicals make up the Earth s lithosphere? Relating the properties of chemicals to their giant structure using examples found in the Earth s lithosphere C5.4 How can we extract useful metals from minerals? Relating the structure and properties of metals to suitable methods of extraction. Using ionic theory to explain electrolysis. Discussing issues relating to metal extraction and recycling C6.1 Chemicals and why we need them. The scale and importance of the chemical industry; acids, alkalis and their reactions. Neutralisation explained in terms of ions C6.2 Planning, carrying out and controlling a chemical synthesis. Planning chemical syntheses. Procedures for making pure inorganic products safely. Comparing alternative routes to the same product Calculating reacting quantities and yields Measuring purity by simple titration Controlling the rate of change P4.1 How can we describe motion? Calculation of speed, velocity, acceleration Graphical representations of speed and velocity P4.2 What are forces? The identification of forces and partner forces P4.3 What is the connection between forces and motion? Resultant forces and change in momentum. Relating momentum to road safety measures P4.4 How can we describe motion in terms of energy changes? Work done, changes in energy, GPE and KE Losses due to air resistance and friction P5.1 Electric current a flow of what? Electric current as a flow of charge. How the charge moves P5.2 What determines the size of the current in an electric circuit and the energy it transfers? Voltage, current and resistance. Series and parallel circuits P5.3 How do parallel and series circuits work? Voltage and how it behaves in a series circuit. Current and how it behaves in a parallel circuit P5.4 How is mains electricity produced? How are voltages and currents induced? How generators work, transformers. Alternating current and direct current. P5.5 How do electric motors work? How motors work and some uses
P6 Radioactive materials P6.1 Why are some materials radioactive? Structure of the atom, nuclear fusion Alpha, beta and gamma radiation and half-life P6.2 How can radioactive materials be used and handled safely, including wastes? Background radiation, uses of radiation Nuclear fission and nuclear power stations 25 % controlled assessment: investigation allocated by the board; choice of biology, chemistry or physics. All students undertaking the GCSE course will complete these modules over a two year period. Students have eight lessons a fortnight. The homework is set every week and is normally a revision task (e.g. exam question) from the unit being studied.
KS4 CURRICULUM Science Further Additional B7 Further biology B7.1 Peak performance movement and exercise. Skeletal system; health and fitness B7.2 Peak performance circulation Components of blood; the circulatory system B7.3 Peak performance energy balance Maintaining constant body temperature and blood sugar; diabetes B7.4 What can we learn from natural ecosystems? Closed loop systems; sustainability B7.5 New technologies - DNA technology; genetic modification; nanotechnology; stem cells C7 Further C7.1 Green chemistry. The chemical industry. The characteristics of green chemistry chemistry C7.2 Alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters Organic molecules and functional groups Alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters C7.3 Energy changes in chemistry Why are there energy changes during chemical reactions? C7.4 Reversible reactions and equilibria Introducing dynamic equilibrium C7.5 Analysis. Analytical procedures, chromatography and quantitative analysis by titration P7 Further physics P7.1 Naked eye astronomy. Observations of Moon, stars, planets. Angular size, angular coordinates. Twinkling stars/refraction P7.2 Light, telescopes and images. Real image formation by pinhole, lens. Diffraction by aperture, image blurring. Atmospheric windows and background noise. Mirror, simple telescope, image processing. Spectra from prism, grating P7.3 Mapping the Universe. Parallax, parsec. Brightness, luminosity and distance. Cepheids, nebulae, recession of galaxies and Hubble constant P7.4 The Sun, the stars and their surroundings. Thermal radiation and temperature. Line spectra. Nuclear fusion. Types of stars. Interstellar gas clouds. Gas laws, kinetic theory, absolute zero. Star formation, gravity and gas behaviour. Main sequence, nuclear fusion, energy transport. End points. Exoplanets and SETI P7.5 The astronomy community, Organisation of astronomy, Choice of observing sites, Observing from the Earth and in space 25% Controlled assessment: Investigation allocated by the board; choice of biology, chemistry or physics. Only students on the Triple Science route will take the above modules. This is offered as an enrichment option.