Introduction • Recent Events • Year 7-9 • Year 10-11 • Year 12-13 • Useful Weblinks

Introduction

Science is a vital source of knowledge and skills that are highly valued and essential for progress in an evolving, technological and competitive world. Science should be enjoyable stimulating, challenging, practical based and experimental, as well as reflecting different cultures, aspirations, backgrounds and gender. The delivery of the course should promote understanding and application of the body of knowledge and have relevance to the student's everyday life. It is necessary to discuss the social and environmental impact of science and its nature as an evolving discipline. Cross-curricular links to technology, mathematics and ICT in particular should be an integral part of the methodology of the teaching of the course, as well as taking into account the links with numeracy and literacy.

Science is part of the curriculum for all students from Years 7 to 11 and for the majority of students who follow the IB Diploma programme. All lessons are taught in one of the 4 specialised rooms within the department. 3 of the rooms are fully equipped laboratories and one is a lecture room. Five qualified and experienced teachers deliver the curricula. Chris Rieger teaches Physics, Michael White teaches Chemistry, Jane Woolley teaches Biology and lower school Science, Adebunmi Olofinjana teaches Biology and lower school Science and Natalie Banneel teaches Biology, Chemistry and lower school Science.

In Year 7 to 9 the classes follow the Spotlight Science scheme which is based on the UK National Curriculum. During year 10 and 11 the students are prepared for the University of Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Science (0654) examination, which is a double award and covers topics in all three sciences. At the most senior level, in years 12 and 13, the students can complete courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The courses are offered at both standard and higher level.

 

 

Recent Events

Y13 Biology and Environmental System Trip

The Year 13 Biology and Environmental System students spent 3 days at the Kuala Belalong Research station studying various aspects of the rainforest.  Students were able to take the theory and skills learned in their classes and apply it to real life situations such as a water quality study, interactions within the rainforest and comparisons of different ecosystems using quadrant studies.  Two researchers from the UK and Italy were present at the station allowing the students to see different types of work that can be done from studying epiphytes in the canopy or recording the natural sounds of the rainforest to be used in museums, expos and art galleries to raise public awareness. 



Curriculum

Lower Secondary

In years 7 to 9, Science is a compulsory subject for all. Students follow a syllabus that is based upon the English National Curriculum. The programme we follow is the very popular and stimulating "Spotlight Science" course. This is delivered in topics which cover the essential areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There is a short test at the end of each topic to reinforce the concepts that have been studied. In conjunction with the acquisition of knowledge and understanding students have the opportunity to carry out experiments on a regular basis. These opportunities allow the students to develop the essential practical skills of planning, recording, data processing, concluding and evaluating.

In Year 7 the programme of study is as follows:

Biology: Cells, reproduction, environment, variation and classification.

Chemistry: Acids and alkalis, chemical reactions, particles and solutions.

Physics: Energy resources, electrical circuits, the solar system and beyond.

All students also study a topic called "Investigating Science" which covers good experimental practice, safety and also introduces them to the above mentioned practical based skills.

Year 8

Biology: Food and digestion, respiration, microbes and disease and ecology.

Chemistry: Atoms and elements, compounds and mixtures, rocks and weathering and the rock cycle.

Physics: Heating and cooling, magnets and electromagnets, light and sound and hearing, forces and their effects.

Year 9

Biology: Inheritance and selection, fit and healthy, plants and photosynthesis and plants for food.

Chemistry: Metals and metal compounds, patterns of reactivity, environmental chemistry and using chemistry.

Physics: Energy and electricity, gravity and space, speeding up, pressure and moments.



IGCSE

IGCSE CO-ORDINATED SCIENCES (CIE 0654)

Course Summary

The IGCSE Coordinated Sciences programme is divided into the three subject components of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each group is taught by 3 teachers specialising in each of these subjects.

The syllabus provides topics through which students can discuss issues that arise from the interaction of science, technology and society. These serve to remind students that matters of science are also matters of the everyday world. At the same time the science studied should have immediate significance for the student in terms of its intrinsic interest and its applications to students' individual lives and preoccupations. Topics covered range from an understanding of the basic principles of genetics and the elements of the periodic table to the benefits of different ways of generating electricity.

We aim to teach our subject with the maximum amount of practical work. The subject is not just for the academic, but also for those with good practical abilities and a questioning approach.

The topics covered in the syllabus are as follows:

 

Biology	Chemistry	Physics
Biological classification	The elements of chemistry	Motion
Cellular organisation	Classifying elements	Matter and Forces
Support and movement	Petrochemicals	Energy, Work and Power
Photosynthesis	Chemicals form plants	Simple Kinetic Molecular Model of Matter
Gaseous exchange in animals	Materials and structures	Matter and Thermal Properties
Transport systems	Oxidation and reduction	Transfer of Thermal Energy
Respiration	Ions and electrolysis	Waves
Diet and health	Solvents and solutions	Light
Responding to the environment	Acids and alkalis	Electromagnetic Spectrum
Homeostasis	Soil, rocks and rates	Sound
Reproduction	Fertilisers	Magnetism
Human reproduction	Dyes and drugs	Electricity
		Electric Circuits
		Electromagnetic Effects
		Radioactivity

Assessment Summary

Science is a "double award subject" leading to grades from A*A* to GG.
The assessment is:

   • 20% alternative to practical examination

   • 80% examination on theory work

The examination consists of three papers for all students. There are 2 tiers of entry, the core and the extended levels.  

The alternative to practical examination will consist of a 1-hour paper in which the students will be required to answer questions based on experiments as well as using their planning, concluding and evaluating skills.

   • Paper 1 - Multiple-choice paper; core theory only; counts for 30% of final grade

   • Paper 2 - Short answer and structured questions paper; core theory only; counts for 50% of final grade

OR

   • Paper 3 - Short answer and structured questions paper; 25% core theory, 75% extended theory; counts for 50% of final grade

   • Paper 6 – Alternative to practical exam; (one question each from Biology, Chemistry and Physics;delete this part) counts for 20% of final grade

  

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Biology

Students can study Biology at Standard or Higher level with all students being taught together in the same class.  There are 5 Core topics which are common to both the standard and higher level course which cover the areas below:

   • Statistical analysis

   • Cells

   • The chemistry of life

   • Genetics

   • Ecology and evolutio

   • Human health and physiology

In addition the higher level students develop these topics further through 5 additional units as follows:

   • Nucleic acids and proteins

   • Cell respiration and photosynthesis

   • Plant science

   • Genetics

   • Human reproduction

   • Human health and physiology

There are also 2 options which need to be covered.  Higher level students study
F Microbes and biotechnology
H Further human physiology

Standard level students cover options

A Human nutrition and health

C Cells and energy or F Microbes and human physiology

As well as covering the knowledge based topics the students develop their investigation skills through an organised practical programme which is assessed internally.  Standard level students need to complete a minimum of 40 hours of practical work and the higher level students cover at least 60 hours.  This includes both laboratory based activities as well as field work.  All science students take part in a collaborative investigation called the group 4 project.  This involves all aspects of a practical project from the planning to the evaluation stage. Students develop their research question on a common theme.  Recent themes have included Safety, Kampong Ayer and Food. 

At the end of the course students sit 3 examination papers which contribute 76% of their final grade.  Paper 1 is a series of multiple choice questions.  Paper 2 has short answer and essay style questions and paper 3 tests the option topics. 

Chemistry

Students can opt to study IB Chemistry at either Standard Level or Higher Level at ISB and all students are taught in the same class. There are 11 compulsory core topics and students must also study 2 option topics. At the end of the course students sit for 3 examination papers which count for 76% of the final mark awarded. In addition to these theoretical topics, students must complete practical assignments; some of which are assessed and account for 24% of the final mark awarded.

Core Topics

    • Stoichiometry (moles and equations)

    • Atomic Theory (atoms, protons, electrons and neutrons)

    • Periodicity (studying the Periodic Table of elements)

    • Bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic and intermolecular bonds)

    • Energetics (exothermic and endothermic reactions

    • Kinetics (rates of reaction)

    • Equilibrium (reversible reactions)

    • Acids and Bases (pH, indicators and neutralisation reactions)

    • Oxidation and Reduction (redox chemistry, cells and oxidation states)

    • Organic Chemistry (carbon compounds and similar)

    • Measurement and uncertainty

Option Topics

B. Medicines and Drugs (chemistry of common medicines and drugs)
E  Environmental Chemistry

In the first year of study, students cover Core Topics 1 to 6 plus 11 and Option B. The remaining topics are studied in the final year of study and students also revise and make preparations for their final exams.

Students are continually assessed throughout the course and receive one-on-one help with major problems. Students are encouraged to become independent and responsible learners and these skills are vital if students are to achieve the top grades available.

[Go Top]

Physics

Students at ISB choose to study IB Physics at either Standard or Higher Level and all students are taught in the same class. There are 8 core topics that all students learn.  HL students will do additional topics related to the core.  Students must also study 2 option topics. At the end of the course students are examined externally, writing three papers.  They count for 76% of the final mark.  Students must also do practical investigations which are assessed by the teacher according to a set of 5 criteria and account for the remaining 24%.

Option Topics (SL)	Option Topics (HL)
A.  Sight and wave phenomena	H. Optics (core + extension)
E. Astrophysics	E. Astrophysics

•     Add under core topics – Fields and Forces (place it after Electric currents)

•     Replace HL Option topic – H. Optics with I. Medical Ph

•     Replace sentence SL students complete topics 1 to 4 and Option A in year 1 with SL students complete topics 1 to 4, 6 and Option A in year 1.

SL students complete topics 1 to 4 and Option A in year 1. HL students complete the same core topics and the corresponding additional topics (9-11).  In year 2 the students do the remaining topics and complete their internal assessment requirements.  They also conduct a revision program in preparation for their final examinations.

Students are assessed by tests at the end of every topic and through end of year and mock examinations. Students are encouraged to work independently and to seek extra help when needed.

Successful completion of IB Physics is an important stepping stone to careers in advanced study in Physics, Engineering, Optometry, Aviation, certain branches of Medicine (eg. Radiotherapy) and many more.

 

Environmental Systems and Societies

Students at ISB study IB Environmental Systems and Societies at Standard Level. There are 7 topics that students learn.  At the end of the course students are examined externally, writing two papers.  They count for 80% of the final mark.  Students need to complete a minimum of 30 hours of practical work. This includes both laboratory based activities as well as field work. 

Practical work assessed by the teacher according to a set of 5 criteria and account for the remaining 20%.

Topics:

• Systems and models
• The ecosystem
• Human populations, carrying capacity and resource use
• Conservation and biodiversity
• Pollution management
• The issue of global warming
• Environmental value systems

Students are continually assessed throughout the course and receive one-on-one help with major problems. Students are encouraged to become independent and responsible learners and these skills are vital if students are to achieve the top grades available.

 

Assessment Information

During the year classes will be given tests at the end of one or more units of work.  These are marked according to standardised mark schemes and levels are awarded using the test level boundaries given below .  In addition students are assessed on their practical skills at regular intervals throughout the year.  Students are given a guideline sheet which indicates the requirements for each skill area.  Students are graded using a departmental scheme with levels from 7 to 1.  A feedback sheet is given to each student which gives a breakdown of the component marks and targets for improvement.  In addition homework tasks are marked and feedback is given in a variety of ways.  At the end of sections of work students carry out a self review, reflecting on their achievements and areas of weakness and setting targets for improvement in future work.

GRADE BOUNDARIES
Lower Secondary (Year 7,8,)

Test A % ISB Level 76+ 5 56-75 4 31-55 3 16-30 2 0-15 1	Test B % ISB Level 80+ 7 70-79 6 55-69 5 45-54 4 30-44 3 15-29 2 0-14 1

IGCSE (Year 10- & 11)

Core Paper % ISB Level IGCSE Grade 50+ 4 C 42-49 3 D 33-41 2 E 26-32 1 F 19-25 1 G 0-18 U U	Extension Paper % ISB Level IGCSE Grade 80+ 7 A* 70-79 6 A 60-69 5 B 50-59 4 C 42-49 3 D 32-41 2 E 26-31 1 F 10to25 1 G 0-9 U U

International Baccalaureate (IB) (Year 12 & 13 )

All Papers
%	ISB Scale	IB Scale
85+	7	7
70-84	6	6
55-69	5	5
45-54	4	4
30-44	3	3
15-29	2	2
0-14	1	1

Useful Links
Year 12 & 13 Biology: University of Houston Biology resources

Chemistry

http://www.chem4kids.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
http://www.mineralstech.com
http://www.sciencepages.co.uk
http://www.gcsechemistry.com/
http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk
http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu
http://www.infoplease.com
http://revisioncentre.co.uk
http://www.ausetute.com
http://www.dyesonline.net
http://www.straw.com
http://www.abdn.ac.uk
http://www.bayeraspirin.com
http://www.funsci.com
http://www.green-trust.org