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Science has three main disciplines: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Studying Science helps us understand the natural and physical world around us through experimentation and observation.

Biology

Year 12 Biology Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Key Topic:

Cell Structure

Biological Molecules

Transport across Cell membranes

Cell Recognition and the Immune System

Organisms Exchange Substances with their Environment

Genetic Information, Variation and Relationships between Organisms

New Knowledge:

Methods of studying cells

Detailed structure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and viruses

Monomers and polymers

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins (including enzymes), water and nucleic acids

The cell cycle and mitosis in detail

The structure of cell membranes and transport across them in detail

Defence mechanism of the human body

Phagocytosis and the action of T and B lymphocytes

Vaccination

HIV

Gas exchange in fish, insects, plants and humans

Enzymes involved in digestion

Mammalian heart and transport of substances

Transport of water and organic molecules in plants

DNA, genes and protein synthesis

Genetic diversity

Biodiversity

Previous Knowledge Required:

Use of a simple microscope

Basic structure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

Calculating magnification

The main biological molecules of life

Outline of the cell cycle and mitosis

Definitions of diffusion, osmosis and active transport

Outline of phagocytosis and the defence mechanisms of the human body

Outline of vaccination

Basic role of enzymes in digestion

Function of the lungs, heart and haemoglobin

Arteries, capillaries and veins

DNA as the genetic material (separates will cover the structure of DNA and an outline of protein synthesis)

Definition of a species, the binomial system and 5 kingdom classification

The importance of sterilisation to kill unwanted microorganisms

The importance of random sampling when collecting quantitative data

New Skills:

Use of a colorimeter

Understanding the processes of cell fractionation, homogenation and ultracentrifugation

Drawing molecules

Calculation of the mitotic index

Preparation of a dilution series to produce a calibration curve

Present data in appropriate ways

Graphical analysis of experimental results

Identify variables that must be controlled

Dissection techniques and biological drawings

Consider ethical issues when carrying out experiments

Economic, social and ethical issues of vaccination programmes

Use of a potometer to obtain quantitative measurements

Present data in appropriate ways

Graphical analysis of experimental results

Identify variables that must be controlled

Commenting on experimental design and suggesting improvements

Use of aseptic techniques

Measuring species distribution using fieldwork sampling techniques

Calculating the index of diversity

Evaluating results and drawing conclusions

Identifying variables and suitable controls

Links to the School Curriculum:

Maths – how to measure change in the rate of a reaction using a tangent to a curve, presenting data, calculations and graph drawing skills.

Chemistry – practical skills, ions, bonding, monomers and polymers.

Physics – practical skills, conservation of energy, latent heat of vaporisation and specific heat capacity.

PE – heart, lungs, blood vessels, cardiac output and pulmonary ventilation calculations

Food technology – digestion

Chemistry – practical skills

Physics – practical skills

Maths – calculating surface area to volume ratio, changing the subject in pulmonary ventilation and cardiac output equations, using appropriate units in calculations and interpreting bar charts

Geography – field work techniques, biodiversity and diversity within a community, index of diversity. The balance between conservation and farming.

Maths- understanding and calculating the mean, mode and standard deviation. Simple probability, the use of appropriate numbers of significant figures, using percentages and using the logarithmic function on a calculator

Independent Activities:

Biological Sciences Review

New Scientist

Science Museum London

Natural History Museum London

Kew Gardens London

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Biological Sciences Review

New Scientist

Science Museum London

Natural History Museum London

Kew Gardens London

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Biological Sciences Review

New Scientist

Science Museum London

Natural History Museum London

Kew Gardens London

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Local Nature Reserves

Web Links: https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/a-level-revision-videos/a-level-biology/https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/biology-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model_js.htm https://www.samples-for-schools.co.uk/lung-dissection-lesson/https://www.samples-for-schools.co.uk/heart-dissection-lesson/https://www.samples-for-schools.co.uk/fish-head-dissection-lesson/https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/a-level-revision-videos/a-level-biology/https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/biology-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model_js.htm https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/a-level-revision-videos/a-level-biology/https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/biology-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model_js.htm
Year 13 Biology Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Key Topic:

Photosynthesis

Respiration

Energy and Ecosystems

Response to Stimuli

Nervous coordination and Muscles

Homeostasis

Inherited Change

Populations and Evolution

Populations in Ecosystems

The Control of Gene Expression

New Knowledge:

Detailed biochemical pathways  that occur in photosynthesis and respiration (aerobic and anaerobic)

Ultrastructure of the chloroplast and mitochondrion

GPP, NPP and respiratory losses, efficiency of energy transfers and productivity of farming practices

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Phosphorous Cycle

Environmental issues concerning the use of fertilisers

Taxes, kinesis and tropisms. Plant growth hormones

A reflex arc

The eye as an example of a receptor

The control of heart rate

Neurones and nervous coordination

The role of synapses and transmission across them

Structure and contraction of skeletal muscle

Positive and negative feedback mechanisms

Control of body temperature, blood glucose levels, the role of the nephron in osmoregulation and their associated hormones

Monohybrid, dihybrid, codominance, multiple alleles, sex-linkage, autosomal linkage and epistasis genetic crosses. The chi squared test.

Population genetics, variation and natural selection

Isolation and speciation

Variation in ecosystems, predation and competition.

Succession and habitat conservation

Gene mutations, stem cells and totipotency

The regulation of transcription and translation

Epigenetic control of gene expression

Gene expression and cancer

Recombinant DNA technology – gene cloning, locating genes, genetic screening and counselling, genetic fingerprinting

Previous Knowledge Required:

Photosynthesis and respiration equation

Food chains and webs

Chromatography

Plant growth hormones (separates only)

The 3 neurones and a reflex arc

Control of body temperature and sugar levels

ADH and the kidney (separates only)

The eye (separates only)

A basic genetic cross and the definition of genotype and phenotype

Continuous and discontinuous variation

Natural selection

Speciation (separates only)

Competition

Mutations

Stem cells

Gene technology in outline

Cancer and the cell cycle in outline

New Skills:

Using a redox indicator such as methylene blue to investigate dehydrogenase activity

How to use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements in experiments

Use of a choice chamber

Statistical tests such as chi squared, null hypothesis

Consider ethical issues when carrying out experiments

How to use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements in experiments

Statistical tests such as chi squared, null hypothesis

Consider ethical issues when carrying out experiments

Economic, social and ethical issues of recombinant technology

How to use gene markers to identify whether a gene has been taken up by a bacterial cell

How to carry out in vivo and in vitro cloning of DNA fragments

How to carry out gel electrophoresis

Links to the School Curriculum:

Psychology – statistics and null hypothesis

Maths – calculation, units, percentages, translating information between graphical and numerical forms.

Geography – ecosystems and their efficiency, farming practices and the use of fertilisers

Chemistry – electrons, ions and protons. chromatography

PE – muscles, response to exercise

Maths – calculation, units, percentages, translating information between graphical and numerical forms.

Psychology – the nervous system, synapses, effects of neurotransmitters. Chi squared.

Geography – succession and habitat conservation

Maths – probability and chance, interpreting graphical information

Independent Activities:

Biological Sciences Review

New Scientist

Science Museum London

Natural History Museum London

Kew Gardens London

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Local Nature Reserves

Biological Sciences Review

New Scientist

Science Museum London

Natural History Museum London

Kew Gardens London

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Local Nature Reserves

Biological Sciences Review

New Scientist

Science Museum London

Natural History Museum London

Kew Gardens London

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Local Nature Reserves

Web Links: https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/a-level-revision-videos/a-level-biology/https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/biology-revision/a-level-aqa/ https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/a-level-revision-videos/a-level-biology/

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/biology-revision/a-level-aqa/

https://dnalc.cshl.edu/resources/animations/https://www.yourgenome.org/https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/a-level-revision-videos/a-level-biology/https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/biology-revision/a-level-aqa/

Chemistry

Year 12 Chemistry Term 1  Term 2 Term 3
Key Topic:

Amount of Substance

Atomic Structure

Energetics

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Equilibria

Alcohols
New Knowledge:

Avogadro constant

Concentration calculations

Ideal Gas equation

Empirical formulae

Synoptic style calculations

Mass spectrometry

Electron configuration

Ionisation energies

Reaction pathways

Standard enthalpy values

Hess’s Law

Bond enthalpies

Organic compound formulae

Nomenclature

Functional groups

Isomerism

Dynamic equilibrium

Homogeneous & heterogeneous reactions

Le Chatelier’s Principle

Industrial examples of reversible reactions

 Physical properties of alcohols

Alcohol classification

Alcohol oxidation

Chemical tests for aldehydes and ketones

Elimination reactions of alcohols

Industrial production of ethanol
Previous Knowledge Required:

Chemical elements & symbols

Molecular ions

State symbols

Structure of the atom

Mass number

The Mole

Exothermic & endothermic reactions

Examples of exothermic and endothermic reactions

 Carbon bonding and shape

Reversible reactions

Half equations

Structural isomerism

Hydrogen bonding
New Skills: Practical techniques – titration, water of crystallisation

Experimental determination of enthalpy changes

(neutralisation & combustion)

Graphical analysis of experimental results

Hess cycle calculations

 Redox and distillation techniques

Reaction mechanisms

Drawing molecules in different forms according to the formula (e.g. displayed & skeletal)

Graph analysis of equilibrium reactions

Explaining reversible reaction equations (in terms of equilibrium position)

Redox and distillation techniques

Reaction mechanisms

Use of oxidising agents

Chemical tests for carbonyl compounds

Dehydration reaction technique
Links to the School Curriculum:

Maths – calculations and equations.

Physics - calculations and equations. Atomic structure.

Maths – calculations and equations. Graph skills.

Physics – calculations and equations.

Biology – biological molecules.

Geography – environmental impact of organic molecule uses as fuels.

Maths – calculations and equations. Graph skills.

Physics – calculations and equations.

Biology – biological molecules.
Independent Activities:

Written research project on TOF mass spectrometry.

Exam question workbooks – self assessment activity.

Written research investigation into alkanes and their environmental impact.

Exam question workbooks – self assessment activity.

Molecule modelling using simulation programme (PhET link below).

Evaluation of two different methods for alcohol production (research task).

Research QuickFit glassware apparatus set-up for redox and distillation.

Exam question workbooks – self assessment activity.
Web Links: https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/

https://www.docbrown.info/page13/page13.htm

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.docbrown.info/page13/page13.htmhttps://chemrevise.org/revision-guides/https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/build-an-atom https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.docbrown.info/page13/page13.htmhttps://chemrevise.org/revision-guides/
Year 13 Chemistry Term 1  Term 2 Term 3
Key Topic:

Carbonyl Chemistry

Thermodynamics

Acids and Bases

Aromatic Chemistry

Biochemistry (polymers, amino acids & DNA)

Electrochemical Cells

New Knowledge:

Chemistry of carboxylic acid derivatives (acyl chlorides, acid anhydrides)

Addition elimination reaction mechanism for acylation reactions

Impact of forming racemates with HCN during addition reactions

Fatty acids and triglycerides

Born Haber cycles

Entropy and Gibb’s Free Energy calculations

Enthalpy of solution cycles

Perfect ionic model

Feasible reactions

Bronsted-Lowry theory

Ionic product of water

Analysing titration curves

pH calculations

Dilution calculations

Buffer calculations

Benzene and benzene derivative structures

Chemistry of benzene – electrophilic substitution reactions (e.g. nitration)

Friedel-Crafts acylation

Protein primary, secondary and tertiary structures

Forming polypeptides

Chemistry of amino acids (e.g. zwitterion formation and physical properties)

Behaviour of amino acids under different pH conditions

Protein hydrolysis

DNA chemical structure and the mode of action of DNA inhibitors

Redox equilibria

Electrode potentials

Half-cell set-up

Standard hydrogen cell properties

The electrochemical series

Electrochemical notation

Calculating EMF

Lithium and lead-acid cells

Alkali, acid and ethanol fuel cells

Previous Knowledge Required:

Chemistry of aldehydes and ketones

Chemical tests for aldehydes (oxidation)

Nucleophilic addition mechanism

Use of selective oxidising agents

Curly arrow procedure for reaction mechanisms

Esterification

Hess cycles

Enthalpy definitions

H+ and OH- ions

Strong and weak acids and alkalis

Acid and base reactions and neutralisation equations

pH indicators and the pH scale

Modelling benzene

Delocalised electron systems

Use of curly arrow mechanisms

Basic polymer structure

Condensation polymerisation

Polymer environmental impacts

Effect of pH and temperature on enzyme activity

Hydrolysis reactions

Rf values and calculations in chromatography

Basic DNA structure

Redox equations – constructing half equations and combining to full equations

Electrolysis theory

Assigning oxidation numbers

Use of alkali primary and lithium secondary cells

How a basic hydrogen fuel cell works

New Skills: Preparation of an organic solid (aspirin) including crystallisation.

Synthesis of an aromatic derivative through nitration (paracetamol).

 

pH determination through neutralisation reaction practical work

Construction of a half cell

Measuring EMF

Links to the School Curriculum:

Biology – aspirin synthesis, biological effects of analgesics.

PE – use and effect of analgesics on health.

History – historical medicines extracted from natural products.

Psychology – effect of drugs on the brain.

Maths – calculations and equations.

 

Biology – paracetamol synthesis, biological effects of analgesics.

PE – use and effect of analgesics on health.

Psychology – effect of drugs on the brain.

Maths – calculations, graphs and equations.

  

Research into the applications of Friedel Crafts acylation (referenced project) 

Biology – biological molecules including the chemistry of natural polymers.

Maths – calculations and equations.

Physics - calculations and equations. Electricity generation / fuel cells.

Independent Activities:

Research project on crystallisation techniques (including referencing and bibliography)

 

Exam question workbooks – self assessment activity.

Exam question workbooks – self assessment activity.

Interpreting the structure and bonding in DNA.

 

Exam question workbooks – self assessment activity.

Web Links: https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/

https://www.docbrown.info/page13/page13.htm 

https://chemrevise.org/revision-guides/

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.docbrown.info/page13/page13.htmhttps://chemrevise.org/revision-guides/https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/build-an-atom https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.docbrown.info/page13/page13.htmhttps://chemrevise.org/revision-guides/

 

Physics

Year 12 Physics Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Key Topic: Particles and Radiation

Electricity

Waves

Mechanics
New Knowledge:

Stable and unstable nuclei

Particles and anti-matter

Photons

Planck constant

E=mc2

Particle interactions

Pair production and annihilation

Four fundamental forces

Classification of particles

Hadrons, baryons, fundamental particles.

Neutrinos

Mesons

Quantum numbers

Quarks and anti-quarks

Photoelectric effect

Energy levels within atoms

New voltage current characteristics

Voltage as work per unit charge

Resistivity

Advanced circuits

Alternative power equations

Conservation of charge

Potential divider

Electromotive force

Internal resistance

 

 

Phase and phase difference

Angles as radians

Polarisation

Super position of waves

Nodes antinodes and harmonics

Path difference and coherence

Young’s slit experiment

Diffraction grating

Advanced refraction

Resolution of vectors (advanced)

Advanced moments

Centre of mass

Full Suvat equations

Projectile motion

Momentum

Work, energy and power

Advanced conservation of energy

The Young modulus

Previous Knowledge Required:

Structure of the atom

Role of neutron, proton and electron

Rutherford gold foil experiment

Basic radioactivity principles

Electromagnetic radiation 

Basics of electricity

Resistance as a ratio of voltage to current

Some voltage current characteristics

Basic circuits

 

Longitudinal and transverse wave identification

Wave equation

Reflection

Basic refraction

Some diffraction

Light and frequency

Basic equations for motion

Newton’s Laws

Basic momentum

Basic work, energy and power

Limited Hooke’s Law
New Skills:

Powers of 10

Abstract principles

Modelling of nuclei and subatomic particles

Modelling of quark structure

Building complex circuits

Reading circuit diagrams

EMF and internal resistance measuring

Resistivity measurements

Producing diffraction patterns

Precision measurement

Abstract modelling

Producing stationary waves

Determination of g by free fall

Determination of g from a graph

High level of accurate measuring
Links to the school curriculum:

Maths – calculations, powers of 10, calculator input and use.

Chemistry – atomic model and sub shells, isotopes, ions.

Languages – Greek alphabet

Chemistry – EMF and electrochemical cells, fuel cells. Polarisation of light (optical isomers).

Maths – calculations

D&T – electrical circuits

Music – harmonics and overtones

Maths – graph skills, calculations

D&T (engineering) – Young’s modulus

Independent Activities:

Problem solving tasks. Exam question workbooks.

Problem solving tasks. Exam question workbooks.

Interpreting circuit diagrams.

Calculations. Past paper exam questions.

Researching Young’s modulus with references/bibliography
Web Links:

phET modelling:

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/rutherford-scatteringhttps://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/a-level/physics/aqa/17/revision-notes/

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/a-level/physics/aqa/17/revision-notes/https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/waves-intro https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/a-level/physics/aqa/17/revision-notes/https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/energy-skate-park

 

Year 13 Physics Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Key Topic:

Further Mechanics

Thermal Physics

Nuclear Physics

Turning Points in Physics
New Knowledge:

Circular motion

Angular velocity

Centripetal force

Centripetal acceleration

Simple harmonic motion (SHM)

Resonance

Phase difference

Forced vibrations

 

Internal energy (advanced)

Gas laws

Molar and molecular mass

Molecular kinetic theory

Advanced understanding of Rutherford scattering

Conditions for stable and unstable nuclei

Inverse square law for gamma radiation

Decay rates

Radioactive decay and number of remaining nuclei

Half-life and decay constant

Graph of nucleon number against proton number for a stable nuclei

Additional decay modes

Nuclear energy levels

Nuclear radius

Mass and energy

Induced fission

Fusion

Cathode rays

Thermionic emission

Millikan’s determination of electric charge

Measurement of specific charge

Newton’s corpuscular theory of light

Young’s double slit experiment

Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetic (EM) waves

Discovery of photoelectricity

The ultraviolet catastrophe

Wave particle duality

Electron microscopes

Special relativity

Previous Knowledge Required:

Specific heat capacity (SHC)

Wave motion

Angles as radians

 

Specific latent heat

Basic atomic structure

Strong nuclear force

Electrostatic repulsion

Basic radioactivity decay

Basic half-life calculation

Young’s slit experiments

Electrons as cathode rays

The EM spectrum

Light as waves and particles

Photoelectricity (Year 12)

New Skills:

Investigating Charles’s and Boyle’s law

Advanced SHC and latent heat measurements

Measuring time period and frequency

Investigation into inverse square law for gamma radiation.

Count rates including background

Graphs of half-life

Calculating decay constant

Interpreting graphs for nuclear radius

Calculations based on mass and energy

Calculation of specific charge

Calculation of e

Processing Maxwell’s formula

Appreciating difficulties with Fizeau’s experiment

Abstract visualisation of time dilation and length contraction for relativity

Working with the Lorenz factor

Links to the school curriculum:

Chemistry – kinetic theory, ideal gas equation.

Maths – calculations and graph skills

Chemistry – atomic structure, electrostatic repulsion, nuclear radius.

Maths – calculations and graphs.

Chemistry – equation calculations

Biology - electron microscopes

Maths – equation calculations and graphs

Independent Activities:

Problem solving tasks. Exam question workbooks Research into gas laws and SHM

Problem solving tasks. Exam question workbooks

Research fission and fusion.

Research implications of inverse square law to safety aspects.

Research – significance of Millikan’s determination of e.

Research – significance of Michelson-Morley experiment.

Problem solving tasks. Exam question workbooks

Web Links:

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/a-level/physics/aqa/17/revision-notes/

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/a-level/physics/aqa/17/revision-notes/Nuclear Fission https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/a-level/physics/aqa/17/revision-notes/Photo Electric