APPLIED SCIENCE (BTEC National Extended Certificate Edexcel)

Hessle Sixth Form College

Who is the course aimed at?     

This course is attractive to students who:

• Have an interest and enthusiasm for science, both theoretical and practical work
• Are well motivated and organised
• Are interested in studying science to a high level or who wish to work in a science-based industry

The BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Science is equivalent to one A Level.

What will you learn?     

The course provides a specialist work related qualification for the science sector. You will develop your scientific practical skills and knowledge through the following mandatory units:

• Principals and Applications of Science I                                                                Periodicity and properties of elements, structure and functions of cells and tissues, waves in communication
• Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques                                                      Titration, colorimetry and chromatographic techniques
• Science Investigation Skills                                                                                    Planning a scientific investigation, data collection, processing and analysis/interpretation, drawing conclusions and evaluation

One additional unit is also studied.

Through your studies you will also:

• Source and provide well-researched information
• Work as part of a team
• Present a logical argument coherently and clearly
• Solve problems in totally new situations
• Show initiative and imagination

How will you be assessed?         

Assessment is 58% external and 42% internal as follows:

• Principals and Applications of Science I                                                                          Written exam 1.5 hours, externally marked / 90 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
• Science Investigation Skills                                                                                                     Task set and marked externally with practical investigation / 120 GLH
• Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques                                                               Practical and written internal assessment / 90 GLH
• Optional Unit                                                                                                                 Coursework, internally assessed / 60 GLH

How will you learn?       

Learning will take place through:

• Teacher led activities introducing new material
• The use of specialist textbooks and exam board based learning activities
• Using practical work to develop both practical and interpretative skills
• Using practice questions in preparation for the written exam and tasks set by the exam board
• Working in groups to discuss and develop ideas

Enrichment activities and independent learning?           

There will be informal drop in revision sessions available to support classroom learning and aid student progress throughout the course.

You will be expected to work more independently and take responsibility for your own learning as well as be prepared to work as part of a group, giving and receiving help from other students.

What and where next?

Students may go onto university or college to study science based degrees or go straight into employment.

The skills and experience gained from this course will increase employability in any career but particularly in science related fields, such as technician work in schools or industrial companies.

Students who have studied this course, for example, have progressed to university to study a wide variety of subjects including forensics and microbiology.

More information          

For more information about this course please see the specification below or contact the sixth form team.