The Science Department staffing comprises fifteen teachers supported by four technicians. Science teachers are organised into teams under the direction of Heads of Subject and the Department is co-ordinated by the Head of Science.
The Science Department at Emmanuel College consists of a suite of ten laboratories, two preparation rooms and a resource area situated in close proximity to the Mathematics and Technology curriculum areas. Each laboratory is well equipped and many have full audio-visual and IT facilities.
A more detailed timeline for Key Stage 3 can be found here: Key Stage 3 Timeline 2008/09 (pdf).
This is a two-year course which covers the relevant programmes of study identified in the National Curriculum.
Topics are taught by class teachers with groups of pupils selected on the basis of ability.
End-of-year tests include questions from each topic covered and have a similar structure to the KS3 SATS tests students meet in Y9. Feedback on pupil progress takes the form of a printed report of test scores etc., the regular marked class work and homework and an annual report to parents.
There is a Year 8 group visit to Watergate Country Park in the closing weeks of the summer term.
We offer the three sciences - Biology, Chemistry and Physics at GCSE. Furthermore we offer dual Award Higher and Foundation, Applied Science and Single Award Foundation courses.
GCSE Syllabus: AQA Biology
In Biology students cover the following topics:
In addition, there is a single Centre Assessed Unit (CAU) addressing ‘How Science Works’.
GCSE Syllabus: AQA Chemistry
The course comprises three modules each of which is sub-divided into topics. These include:
How do rocks provide building materials?
The exploitation of rocks provides essential building materials.
Limestone is a naturally occurring resource that provides a starting point for the manufacture of cement, concrete and glass. Atoms are held together in molecules and lattices by chemical bonds. Chemical equations are written in symbol form to show the elements involved and are balanced in terms of the numbers of atoms.
How do rocks provide metals and how are metals used?
Metals are very useful in our everyday lives. Ores are naturally occurring rocks that provide an economic starting point for the manufacture of metals. Iron ore is used to make iron and steel. Copper can be easily extracted but copper rich ores are becoming scarce. Aluminium and titanium are useful metals but are expensive to produce.
How do we get fuels from crude oil?
Crude oil is a biomass found in rocks from which many useful materials can be produced. Crude oil can be fractionally distilled. Some of the fractions can be used as fuels.
How are polymers and ethanol made from oil?
Fractions from the distillation of crude oil can be cracked to make smaller molecules including unsaturated hydrocarbons such as ethene. Unsaturated hydrocarbons can be used to make polymers and ethene can be used to make ethanol.
How can plant oils be used?
Many plants produce useful oils which can be converted into consumer products including processed foods. Vegetable oils can be hardened to make margarine. Biodiesel fuel can be produced from vegetable oils.
What are the changes in the Earth and its atmosphere?
The Earth and its atmosphere provide everything we need.
The Earth has a layered structure. Large-scale movements of the Earth’s crust can cause changes in the rocks. One theory is that the Earth’s atmosphere was originally very different from what it is today but that it has been much the same for the last 200 million years. The Earth’s atmosphere provides the conditions needed for life on Earth. Recently human activities may have produced further changes.
How do sub-atomic particles help us to understand the structure of substances?
Simple particle theory is developed in this unit to include atomic structure and bonding. The arrangement of electrons in atoms can be used to explain what happens when elements react and how atoms join together to form different types of substances.
How do structures influence the properties and uses of substances?
Substances that have simple molecular, giant ionic and giant covalent structures have very different properties. Ionic, covalent and metallic bonds are strong. The forces between molecules are weaker, eg in carbon dioxide and iodine. Nanomaterials have different properties because of their very small size.
How much can we make and how much do we need to use?
The relative masses of atoms can be used to calculate how much to react and how much we can produce, because no atoms are gained or lost in chemical reactions. In industrial processes, atom economy is important for sustainable development.
How can we control the rates of chemical reactions?
Being able to speed up or slow down chemical reactions is important in everyday life and in industry. Changes in temperature, concentration of solutions, surface area of solids and the presence of catalysts all affect the rates of reactions.
How can we control the rates of chemical reactions?
Being able to speed up or slow down chemical reactions is important in everyday life and in industry. Changes in temperature, concentration of solutions, surface area of solids and the presence of catalysts all affect the rates of reactions.
Do chemical reactions always release energy?
Chemical reactions involve energy transfers. Many chemical reactions involve the release of energy. For other chemical reactions to occur, energy must be supplied. In industrial processes, energy requirements and emissions need to be considered both for economic reasons and for sustainable development.
How can we use ions in solutions?
Ionic compounds have many uses and can provide other substances. Electrolysis is used to produce alkalis and elements such as chlorine and hydrogen. Oxidationreduction reactions do not just involve oxygen. Soluble salts can be made from acids and insoluble salts can be made from solutions of ions.
How was the periodic table developed and how can it help us understand the reactions of elements?
The periodic table was developed to classify elements before atomic structure was understood. It is a powerful aid to understanding the properties and reactions of the elements.
What are strong and weak acids and alkalis? How can we find the amounts of acids and alkalis in solutions?
Acids and alkalis vary in strength as well as concentration. Titrations can be used to find the amounts of acid or alkali in a solution.
What is in the water we drink?
The water we drink is not pure water because it contains dissolved substances. It should be safe to drink, which means it does not contain anything that could cause us harm. Some of the dissolved substances are beneficial to our health but some cause hard water.
How much energy is involved in chemical reactions?
Knowing the amount of energy involved in chemical reactions is useful so that resources are used efficiently and economically. It is possible to measure the amount of energy experimentally or to calculate it. Controlling the amount of energy intake in our diet is important in avoiding obesity.
How do we identify and analyse substances?
A range of chemical tests can be used for the detection and identification of elements and compounds. Instrumental methods that are quick, accurate and sensitive have been developed to identify and measure substances, often in very small samples. These methods are used to monitor products, our health, the environment and in forensic science.
GCSE Syllabus: AQA Physics
The course comprises three modules, each of which is sub-divided into topics. These include:
In addition, there is a single Centre Assessed Unit (CAU) addressing ‘How Science Works’.
We offer A-Levels in all three sciences
A-Level Biology Syllabus: OCR H021 H421
Six units: four content-based units covering all the main areas of Advanced Level Biology, two units focusing on laboratory Biology building up a range of practical and investigative skills.
AS (Year 12)
A2 (Year 13)
Introduction
This unit explores the fundamental principles that form the basis of Chemistry.
Wherever possible, candidates should carry out experimental work to illustrate the theoretical principles included in this unit. The development of these skills is associated with the Investigative and Practical Skills detailed in Unit 3.
Atomic Structure
Fundamental particles. Protons, neutrons and electrons. Mass number and isotopes. Electron arrangement.
Amount of Substance
Relative atomic mass and relative molecular mass. The mole and the Avogadro constant (L). The ideal gas equation. Empirical and molecular formulae. Balanced equations and associated calculations.
Bonding
Nature of ionic, covalent and metallic bonds. Bond polarity. Forces acting between molecules. States of matter. Shapes of simple molecules and ions.
Periodicity
Classification of elements in s, p and d blocks. Properties of the elements of Period 3 to illustrate periodic trends
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Nomenclature. Isomerism
Alkanes
Fractional distillation of crude oil. Modification of alkanes by cracking. Combustion of alkanes.
Introduction
This unit introduces more of the principles that underpin chemistry and looks at the applications of these principles and those that have been developed in Unit 1.
Wherever possible, candidates should carry out experimental work to illustrate the theoretical principles included in this unit.
A knowledge of the Chemistry in Unit 1 is assumed in this unit.
Energetics
Enthalpy change. Calorimetry. Simple applications of Hess’s Law. Bond enthalpies.
Kinetics
Collision theory. Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. Effect of temperature on reaction rate. Effect of concentration. Catalysts.
Equilibria
The dynamic nature of Equilibria. Qualitative effects of changes of pressure, temperature and concentration on a system in equilibrium. Importance of equilibria in industrial processes.
Redox Reactions
Oxidation and reduction. Oxidation states. Redox equations
Group 7(17), the Halogens
Trends in physical properties. Trends in the oxidising abilities of the halogens. Trends in the reducing abilities of the halide ions. Identification of halide ions using silver nitrate. Uses of chlorine and chlorate(I)
Group 2, the Alkaline Earth Metals
Trends in physical properties. Trends in chemical properties.
Extraction of Metals
Principles of metal extraction. Environmental aspects of metal extraction
Haloalkanes
Synthesis of chloroalkanes. Nucleophilic substitution. Elimination
Alkenes
Alkenes: structure, bonding and reactivity. Addition reactions of alkenes. Polymerisation of alkenes
Alcohols
Nomenclature. Ethanol production. Classification and reactions. Elimination.
Analytical Techniques
Mass spectrometry. Infrared spectroscopy.
A/AS Level Syllabus: AQA
In Year 12 the course is divided into two major teaching units and one practical-based unit. Unit 1 is entitled Particle, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity, while Unit 2 is called Mechanics, Material and Waves. Within the practical unit we consider the experimental and analytical skills required of a proficient physicist, with theses attributes being assessed during Investigative Skills Assignments (ISAs).
Like the Year 12 course, this programme of study follows the AQA GCE Physics A syllabus and it too is divided into two major teaching units and a practical based unit. Unit 4 is entitled ‘Fields and Further Mechanics’ whereas Unit 5 is subdivided into the &;squo;Nuclear and Thermal Physics’ and ‘Turning points in Physics’ topics.
GCE Applied Science
GCE Applied Science Syllabus: AQA