Download Science A-Level Curriculum Overview 2014

Science A-Level Curriculum Overview
Students study towards the AQA A-level in all three science subjects. These are each broken down into six units, four of which are assessed by examination.
The remaining two units are assessed by coursework and involve the students undertaking an independent investigational project. All three science courses
aim to give students a thorough grounding in their subject in preparation for study at university level.
Resources:
Students will be issued with a textbook to accompany each course. In addition they may find it beneficial to invest in an AQA revision guide to accompany
each subject they study.
The following websites are also useful for general revision of the subject:
Biology
http://www.biologyguide.net/
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/biology
Chemistry
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/chemistry
http://www.chemnotes.org.uk/aqa.html
Physics
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/physics
http://physicsnet.co.uk/a-level-physics-as-a2/
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AQA 2410 GCE Biology A-Level
Unit Summary and Mark Breakdown:
AS
Unit 1 Biology and Disease (34 % of AS) 17 % of A Level
Unit 2 The Variety of Living Organisms (46 % of AS) 23 % of A Level
Unit 3 Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Biology (20% of AS) 10 % of A Level
A2
Unit 4 Populations and Environment 17% of A Level
Unit 5 Control in Cells and in Organisms 23% of A Level
Unit 6 Investigative and Practical Skills in A2 Biology 10% of A Level
Autumn Term
Year 12
Year 13
Spring Term
Summer Term
Biology and Disease
● Pathogens
● The Digestive system
● Cells
● Diffusion and osmosis
● Cholera
● Lung function and disease
● Heart function and disease
● Immunology
Variety of Living Organisms
● DNA and DNA replication
● Mitosis and meiosis
● Genetic diversity
● Cell differentiation
● Gas exchange
● Taxonomy
● Antibiotic resistance
● Biodiversity
AS Exams
Populations and Environment
● Populations
● Photosynthesis
● Respiration
● Energy and ecosystems
● Nutrient cycles
● Ecological succession
● Inheritance and selection
Control in Cells and in Organisms
● Response to stimuli
● Coordination
● Muscle contraction
● Homeostasis
● Feedback mechanisms
● Genetic control of protein structure
and function
● Control of gene expression
● DNA technology
A2 Exams
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A2 Fieldwork case study
AQA 2420 GCE Chemistry A-Level
Unit Summary and Mark Breakdown
AS
Unit 1 Foundation Chemistry (34 % of AS) 17 % of A Level
Unit 2 Chemistry in Action (46 % of AS) 23 % of A Level
Unit 3 Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Chemistry (20% of AS) 10 % of A Level
A2
Unit 4 Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry 20% of A Level
Unit 5 Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry 20% of A Level
Unit 6 Investigative and Practical Skills in A2 Chemistry 10% of A Level
Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Year 12
Foundation Chemistry
● Atomic structure
● Amount of a substance
● Bonding
● Periodicity
● Organic chemistry
● Alkanes
Chemistry in Action
● Energetics
● Kinetics
● Equilibria
● Redox reactions
● Group 7 - the halogens
● Group 2 - the alkaline earth metals
● Extraction of metals
● Haloalkanes
● Alkenes
● Alcohols
● Analytical techniques
Year 13
Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry
● Kinetics
● Equilibria
● Acids and bases
● Nomenclature and isomerisation in
organic chemistry
● Compounds containing the carbonyl
group
Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry A2 Exams
● Thermodynamics
● Periodicity
● Redox equilibria
● Transition metals
● Reactions of inorganic compounds in
aqueous solution
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AS Exams
A2 Bridging Unit
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Aromatic chemistry
Amines
Amino acids
Polymers
Organic synthesis and analysis
Structure determination
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AQA 2450 GCE Physics A level
Unit summary and Mark breakdown
AS
Unit 1 Particles, quantum phenomena and electricity (40% AS, 20% A)
Unit 2 Mechanics, materials and waves (40% AS, 20% A)
Unit 3 Investigative and practical skills in AS Physics (20% AS, 10% A)
A2
Unit 4 Fields and further mechanics (20%)
Unit 5 Nuclear and thermal physics (20%)
Unit 6 Investigative and practical skills in A2 Physics (10%)
Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Year 12
Particles, quantum phenomena and
electricity
● Particles and radiation
● Electromagnetic radiation and
quantum phenomena
● Current electricity
Mechanics, materials and waves
● Mechanics
● Materials
● Waves
AS Exams
A2 Bridging Unit
Year 13
Fields and further mechanics
● Further mechanics
● Gravitation
● Electric fields
● Capacitance
● Magnetic fields
Nuclear and thermal physics
● Radioactivity
● Nuclear energy
● Thermal physics
Plus one of the following optional units:
● Astrophysics
● Medical physics
● Applied physics
● Turning points in physics
A2 Exams
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