Last exam for Applied Science is summer 2012.

Coursework

Useful Downloads

Candidate Record Sheet (Unit 1)
(PDF), Last Updated: 18 November 2010

Candidate Record Sheet (Unit 3)
(PDF), Last Updated: 25 November 2011

Students must complete two portfolios of work for GCSE Applied Science (Double Award). The first portfolio assesses students on their knowledge and understanding of Unit 1: Developing Scientific Skills. The second portfolio assesses students on Unit 3: Science at Work.Each portfolio is worth 33.3 percent of the final award.

The teacher marks the portfolios but we moderate them. The teacher should also guide and advise students in the production of their portfolios. While some work, particularly in the early planning stages, may take place in groups, the input of the individual student must be clearly identified, and the judgements and conclusions reached must be their own.

The table below offers more information on the coursework portfolios:

Portfolio	Details
Unit 1: Developing Scientific Skills	Students must produce a portfolio that includes: a survey on health and safety covering the procedures used to ensure health and safety in a scientific workplace, including hazards and risks, fire prevention and first aid; and evidence from activities in each of the areas of microscopy, micro-organisms, quantitative analysis, electrical properties and other physical properties to show that they have: considered the principles underlying the standard procedures used in the practical activities; considered how the standard procedures used relate to their commercial/industrial applications; followed written instructions from the standard procedures for the practical activities; followed written instructions to assemble the materials and equipment; followed written instructions to make observations and measurements; followed written instructions to record information and data; carried out calculations in appropriate activities; produced a description of your findings; and made the correct use of scientific terms.
*Unit 3: Science at Work*	The portfolio must include one case study and four investigations. Case Study The case study must be about scientific workplaces and include: a description of organisations that use science; and a description of the work of scientists, the skills they use and the types of careers available. Investigation 1– the production of three pure and dry chemical products Students must: identify three different types of chemical reactions and produce three pure, dry chemical products; outline the factors that affect how quickly a reaction occurs for a particular chemical reaction investigated; and find the actual yield, the theoretical yield and the percentage of one product, calculating the costs involved. Investigation 2– how a mechanical machine can be used in the workplace This must include: a description of how a mechanical machine can be assembled from its components to measure the applied force and the force produced; and calculations to measure how much a mechanical machine multiplies force, the work carried out by the machine and the machine’s efficiency. Investigation 3 – make and assess the effectiveness of an electrical or electronic device Investigation 4 – the growth/development and/or responses of a living organism Students must: plan the investigation; monitor the activity of an organism; measure activity and obtain data; and evaluate the investigation.

Portfolio

Details

Unit 1: Developing Scientific Skills

Students must produce a portfolio that includes:

a survey on health and safety covering the procedures used to ensure health and safety in a scientific workplace, including hazards and risks, fire prevention and first aid; and
evidence from activities in each of the areas of microscopy, micro-organisms, quantitative analysis, electrical properties and other physical properties to show that they have:

considered the principles underlying the standard procedures used in the practical activities;
considered how the standard procedures used relate to their commercial/industrial applications;
followed written instructions from the standard procedures for the practical activities;
followed written instructions to assemble the materials and equipment;
followed written instructions to make observations and measurements;
followed written instructions to record information and data;
carried out calculations in appropriate activities;
produced a description of your findings; and
made the correct use of scientific terms.

Unit 3: Science at Work

The portfolio must include one case study and four investigations.

Case Study
The case study must be about scientific workplaces and include:

a description of organisations that use science; and
a description of the work of scientists, the skills they use and the types of careers available.

Investigation 1– the production of three pure and dry chemical products
Students must:

identify three different types of chemical reactions and produce three pure, dry chemical products;
outline the factors that affect how quickly a reaction occurs for a particular chemical reaction investigated; and
find the actual yield, the theoretical yield and the percentage of one product, calculating the costs involved.

Investigation 2– how a mechanical machine can be used in the workplace
This must include:

a description of how a mechanical machine can be assembled from its components to measure the applied force and the force produced; and
calculations to measure how much a mechanical machine multiplies force, the work carried out by the machine and the machine’s efficiency.

Investigation 3 – make and assess the effectiveness of an electrical or electronic device

Investigation 4 – the growth/development and/or responses of a living organism
Students must:

plan the investigation;
monitor the activity of an organism;
measure activity and obtain data; and
evaluate the investigation.