Key Stage 4 Science (Year 11) Applied Science
This course differs from the traditional style of GCSE by focusing on the vocational aspect of science. To do this the course is split into three units:
Unit 1 Science in the Workplace.
How Science is Used.
Working Safely.
Unit 2 Science at Work
Food Science
Forensic Science
Sports Science
Unit 3 Using Scientific Skills.
Exams
For Additional Applied Science there is a single written exam of which students can choose either foundation or higher. The exam is based on the work covered in Unit 2 and is worth 40% of the final mark. Mock exams are taken for these in December and the final external exams in June. You can monitor your understand and learning by trying out the past paper exams from the AQA website.
Coursework
There are three written reports produced for the coursework section of the course, totalling 60% of the final mark.
The Unit 1 coursework investigates how different companies use science and how health & safety
are accounted for in the school and workplace. This is what the Unit 1 work should contain.
The Unit 3 coursework is a portfolio of evidence showing the results of a practical investigation
set in a vocational context. This may be set as a scenario dealing with an area of Food Science,
Forensic Science or Sports Science. It includes a series of techniques that are used to answer the
problem set in the scenario, as well as a risk assessment of the procedures used.
It is important to note that the coursework requires good time management skills, as a large
amount of the porfolio will be written outside school hours.
The AQA Student Guide to Assessment will help with this as it includes the checklists for each
section. Some good advice on producing a portfolio is also available here.
Syllabus
You can check what you need to know by downloading and reviewing the AQA Additional Applied Science syllabus.
Study Skills
If you are really stuck on how to study use the study skills website. This provides everything you need to know about making notes, summarising information and revising.
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