Shelley College: Applied Science

Head of Department: Mr P Beaumont

In Year 12 three units of work are completed. Two are assessed internally as portfolio projects. One is assessed as an external exam in January, the exam is 1 ½ hours. The portfolio units make up 66.6% of the course grade.

Unit 1 – Investigating Science at Work:
This is a portfolio unit on how science is used in an organisation and how the organisation impacts on the local community. This unit includes a visit to Drax power station.

Unit 2 – Energy Transfer Systems:
This is the examined unit which looks at energy transfers in the human body and the application of energy transfer in physical principles.

Unit 3 – Finding out about substances:
This is a portfolio unit on different analytical techniques which are used in the scientific workplace and how they are applied to find out about different substances.

In Year 13 a further three units are completed. Two are assessed internally as portfolio projects. One is assessed as an external exam in January, the exam is 1 ½ hours. The portfolio units make up 66.6% of the course grade.

Unit 7 – Planning and Carrying out a Scientific Investigation:
This is a portfolio unit which provides an opportunity to use the knowledge and skills gained in the course to undertake research and investigative work of your own. This unit will help you to prepare for higher education courses which use scientific skills and for work in science-based occupations.

Unit 8 – Medical Physics:
This is the examined unit which unit covers the use of X-rays, radioisotopes, ultrasound, optical fibres and lasers in modern medicine, and discusses the effectiveness of each technique in diagnosing and/or treating particular complaints.

Unit 16 – Ecology, Conservation and recycling:
This is a portfolio unit which covers Ecology and conservation by carrying out studies and surveys into the relationship between living organisms and the environment.

Applied Science looks at science through its uses in the real world. It enables students to develop both a broad understanding of scientific principles as well as the possibility of focussing on a specific pathway e.g. health care, applications of chemistry, ecology, applied science in medicine, environmental or laboratory work.

In addition, the qualification covers a mixture of units from the main subject areas of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with a clear practical emphasis, providing students with the essential skills, knowledge and understanding of science.