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Hampstead School

Science faculty

BIOLOGY

A Level

Awarding body: AQA

What will I learn?

Year 12

The course consists of 4 modules:

  1. Biological molecules
  2. Cells
  3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment
  4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

Year 13

The course consists of 8 modules assessed in three synoptic exams at the end of the year:

  1. Biological molecules
  2. Cells
  3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment
  4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
  5. Energy transfers in and between organisms (A2)
  6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (A2)
  7. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A2)
  8. The control of gene expression (A2)

What can I do at the end of the course?

Biology is highly desirable if you intend to study within the fields of Medicine, Veterinary Science, Environmental Science, Dentistry or Pharmacy at university. It will also allow you to progress onto a wide range of science courses at undergraduate level, including those that are based around engineering. It is also a preferred subject for a large number of finance based university courses.


CHEMISTRY

A Level

Awarding body: OCR A

What will I learn?

Year 12

The course consists of 4 modules:

  1. Practical Skills in Chemistry
  2. Foundations in Chemistry
  3. The Periodic Table and Energy
  4. Core Organic Chemistry

Year 13

This course consists of 6 modules assessed in three exams at the end of the year and one practical report compiled throughout the course.

  1. Development of practical skills in chemistry
  2. Foundations in chemistry
  3. Periodic table and energy
  4. Core organic chemistry
  5. Physical chemistry and transition metals
  6. Organic chemistry and analysis

What can I do at the end of the course?

Chemistry is essential if you intend to study Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy at university. It will also allow you to progress onto a wide range of science courses at undergraduate level, including those that are based around engineering. It is also a preferred subject for a large number of finance based university courses.


 

 

PHYSICS

A Level

Awarding body: OCR A

What will I learn?

Year 12

Content is split into four teaching modules:

  • Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics
  • Module 2 – Foundations of physics
  • Module 3 – Forces and motion
  • Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons

Year 13

Content is split into six teaching modules:

  • Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics
  • Module 2 – Foundations of physics
  • Module 3 – Forces and motion
  • Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons
  • Module 5 – Newtonian world and astrophysics
  • Module 6 – Particles and medical physics

There is no coursework element in the course but practical skills are assessed throughout and in the written papers.

  • Modelling Physics (01) – 100 marks – 37% of total A level
  • Exploring Physics (02) – 100 marks – 37% of total A level
  • Unified Physics (03) – 70 marks – 26% of total A level

What can I do at the end of the course?

A-level physics is a highly respected qualification that can open doors to a number of possibilities. Career options with A-level physics include becoming a food scientist, climatologist, radiographer, ergonomics expert, to name but a few. There are a huge range of careers where A-level physics is highly desirable, not to mention the engineering possibilities, such as flight, design, mining, medical, electrical/electronic and agricultural.