Transition from GCSE to BTEC Applied Science Before

Transition from GCSE to BTEC Applied Science “Before anything preparation is the key to success” Alexander Graham Bell

Contents of this Power. Point q Slides 3 -8 q Slides 9 -14 q Slides 15 -18 q Slides 19 -22 q Slide 23 q Slides 24 -28 q Slides 29 -30 q Slides 31 -34 q Slides 35 -36 q Slides 37 -40 Course Information Mathematical skills – test yourself Biology preparation - cells Biology preparation – test yourself Chemistry preparation – test yourself Physics preparation – test yourself Appendices

Course information “First principle: Never let ones self be beaten down by persons or events” Marie Curie

BTEC Diploma and Extended Certificate The BTEC Applied Science Diploma is the equivalent of two Alevel awards. The Extended Certificate is the equivalent of one A-level award. To see how grades compare in terms of UCAS points, please see Appendix three.

BTEC Applied Science Diploma The Course consists of 8 units: Number of Unit Name of unit Exam or coursework 1 Principles and Applications of Science 1 Exam 2 Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques Coursework 3 Science Investigation Skills Exam 4 Laboratory Techniques and their Application Coursework 5 Principles and Applications of Science 2 Exam 6 Investigative Project Coursework 8 Physiology of Human Body Systems Coursework 9 Human regulation and reproduction Coursework

BTEC Applied Science Diploma - continued The overall grade awarded depends on the grades attained for each of the units completed. Each unit result generates a corresponding number of points. These points are added and the total number of points achieved corresponds to the grades in the table. Please see appendices for more details on the number of points per unit. Total number of points achieved Overall grade for the course U 0 PP 72 MP 88 MM 104 DM 124 DD 144 D*D 162 D*D* 180

BTEC Applied Science Extended Certificate The Course consists of 4 units: Number of Unit Name of unit Exam or coursework 1 Principles and Applications of Science 1 Exam 2 Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques Coursework 3 Science Investigation Skills Exam 8 Physiology of Human Body Systems Coursework

BTEC Applied Science Extended certificate continued The overall grade awarded depends on the grades attained for each of the units completed. Each unit result generates a corresponding number of points. These points are added and the total number of points achieved corresponds to the grades in the table. Please see appendices for more details on the number of points per unit. Total number of points achieved Overall grade for the course U 0 P 36 M 52 D 74 D* 90

Mathematical skills “It’s not that I’m smart, I just stay with problems for longer. ” Albert Einstein

Calculating Averages In Applied Science you are expected to calculate the mean of experimental results. This means calculating the sum of the results and dividing this by the number of results. You are expected to remove anomalies from calculations of mean. These are results that do not fit the pattern or trend. These anomalies would be highlighted in tables of results. The higher grades are awarded if anomalous results are retested.

Key Points Tabulation Independent variable Dependent variable Unit Time (s) Distance travelled (cm) 0 60 120 180 240 300 360 0 46 70 85 94 96 96 420 96 Values, these should be written to the level of precision allowed by the equipment used. Brackets can be used for units Headings should list the variable tested, or the equation being performed and the unit. The unit should NOT be repeated with the values The left hand column would normally record the independent values and the other columns those measured or calculated. Repeats and average columns should ALL contain both the variable and unit in the heading as shown below. Time (s) 0 Distance travelled (cm) Attempt 1 0 Attempt 2 0 Attempt 3 0 Average 0

Graphs skills When drawing lines of best fit, draw a smooth straight or curved line that passes through the majority of the points. If you can, try to have an even number of points above and below the line if it can’t go through all points.

Describing graphs Usually the x axis plots the independent variable and the y axis plots the dependent variable. When describing the trend, use the phrase…. “As ‘X’ increases, ‘Y’ increases/decreases in a linear/non-linear fashion. ” Substitute the quantities into X and Y, and choose either of the two options to describe the graph. “Between A and B, as time increases, distance increases in a linear fashion. ”

Converting Units Divide by 1000 for each conversion in this direction. E. g 1 m / 1000 = 0. 001 km Multiplication factor Prefix Symbol 1 000 000 = 109 Giga G 1 000 = 106 Mega M 1000 = 103 Kilo k 1=1 1 km x 1000 = 1000 m 0. 001 = 10 -3 Milli m 0. 000001 = 10 -6 Micro μ 0. 00001 = 10 - Nano n 9 Multiply by 1000 for each conversion in this direction. E. g Please note that Centi is only 100 x smaller than a metre not 1000 x (10 -2)

Test your knowledge Value 1 Value 2 Value 3 33. 0 33. 2 33. 9 93 82 94 0. 0056 0. 0062 0. 0058 45. 7 39. 8 46. 8 73. 08 69. 21 67. 2 Average Calculate the average of the results above. Circle and remove any results that don’t fit the pattern or trend from your calcuations

Description: The experiment is measuring the extension in metres of a spring when forces are added to it. Test your knowledge The following forces will be added: 0 N, 1 N, 2 N, 3 N, 4 N, 5 N The experimenter plans to repeat the experiment three times and calculate an average extension for the spring Design a table that would enable you to collect results for the experiment described above

Test your knowledge Draw lines of best fit for both of the graphs shown above

Test your knowledge Fully describe the graph above using the correct terms.

Biology preparation cells “It is a cursed evil to any man to become as absorbed in any subject as I am in mine. ” Charles Darwin

Cell organelles and functions – Animal cell

Cell organelles Plant cell

Prokaryotic cell

Make a list of the cell labels you are familiar with from GCSE Test your knowledge Make an additional list of the labels present in the diagrams from this Power. Point that you are unfamiliar with. Using the internet and the diagram of the plant cell add functions to the plant cell labels

Chemistry preparation “Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed. ” Antoine Lavoisier

Atomic structure refers to the structure of atom comprising of a nucleus in the centre. In the nucleus protons (positively charged) and neutrons (neutral) are present. The negatively charged particles called electrons revolve around the nucleus

Ions are charged atoms. Negative ions are created when atoms GAIN electron(s). Positive ions are created when atoms LOSE electron(s).

Calculating sub-atomic particles present The atomic number (2 in the case of Helium) determines the number of protons present in the atom. The Mass number (4 in the case of Helium) – the atomic number determines the number of neutrons present in the atom The electrons if the atom is UNCHARGED are the same as the atomic number. If the atoms is negative charged extra electrons should be ADDED to the atomic number - corresponding to the charge I. e. Cl- is one extra electron O 2 - is two extra electrons If the atom is positively charged the electrons should be SUBTRACTED from the atomic number corresponding to charge.

Isotopes contain the same number of protons and electrons, but a different number of neutrons.

Atom or ion Be Protons Neutrons Electrons Li Test your knowledge Ne Mg 2+ O 2 - How many protons, neutrons and electrons are present

Test your knowledge How many protons, neutrons and electrons in the isotopes of carbon and uranium above?

Physics preparation “It is theory that decides what can be observed. ” Albert Einstein

Waveform Important labels include: Wavelength Amplitude Crest / Peak Trough Node

Longitudinal waves The wave is also called a compression wave. The particles vibrate backwards and forwards to the direction of travel. Sound is an example of this type of wave.

Transverse waves The particles vibrate perpendicular (at 90 o) to the direction of travel of the wave. The electromagnetic spectrum waves travel in this way.

Test your knowledge Give a definition for wavelength, node, crest, trough and amplitude

Test your knowledge Seismic waves consist of both longitudinal and transverse waves, explain the difference.

Appendices “Science brings man closer to God. ” Louis Pasteur

Appendix slide 1 Points available for Diploma only units

Appendix slide 2 Points available for Extended certificate and diploma units

Appendix 3 - UCAS Points compared to A-level Grades for Extended certificate and diploma units Diploma Extended Certificate A level UCAS tariff points A* A B C 112 104 96 84 80 78 72 64 56 48 40 32 28 24 20 16 12 10 8 6 D*D* D*D DD DM MM MP D* D PP M D P E