First Year Syllabus
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Physics
Main Topic
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Sub-topics
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Students should be able to
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Text
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3A1: Measurement in science
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measuring the temperature of various solids and liquids, the melting point of ice and boiling point of water
measuring and recording length, mass, time, volume, temperature; SI units
calculations using recorded data; presenting and communicationg data:
derived data: area, volume (Note: density, speed, velocity and acceleration are covered in second year)
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OP1: measure length, mass, time and temperature (SI units); perform simple calculations based on these to find the derived quantities; area and volume
OP2: measure mass and volume of fixed quantities of a variety of solids and liquids
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34 and part of 35
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3A6: Energy


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definitions and units for energy
principle of conservation of energy
forms of energy, sources of energy, renewable and non-renewable energy sources
need for energy conservation, national energy needs
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OP16: classify sources of energy as renewable or non-renewable
OP17: state the principle of conservation of energy
OP18: explain why the sun is considered our primary source of energy and how this is important in food production and energy supply
OP19: list the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources, including nuclear sources of energy, as part of the solution to national energy needs
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39
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3A7: Energy conversions
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energy conversions
example of energy conversion from everyday experience
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OP20: identify different forms of energy and carry out simple experiments to show the following energy conversions
- chemical energy to electrical energy to heat energy
- electrical energy to magnetic energy to kinetic energy
- light energy to electrical energy to kinetic energy
OP21: give examples of energy conversion from everyday experience
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39
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3B3: Light
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sources and transmission of light; speed of light; shadows; colour and the visible spectrum; dispersion of white light
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OP33: recall that light is a form of energy and that it can be converted into other forms of energy.
OP34: show that light travels in straight lines and explain how shadows are formed
OP35: contrast luminous objects, which are themselves a source of light, with non-luminous objects, which are seen because light is reflected from them.
OP36: recall that white light is made up of different colours which can be separated by dispersion
OP37: produce a spectrum of white light using appropriate apparatus; list the colours of the spectrum
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41
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3B4: Reflection of light
Refraction of light
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reflection of light at plane surfaces; image in a plane mirror
refraction: refraction by lenses
applications of reflection and refraction
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OP38: investigate the reflection of light by plane mirrors, and illustrate this using ray diagrams; demonstrate and explain the operation of a simple periscope
OP39: show the refraction of light as it passes from: air to glass, air to water, glass to air, water to air; show refraction of light through a lens; demonstrate the operation of a magnifying glass
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41
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3B5: Sound
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vibrations and sound; transmission of sound; speed of sound
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OP40: show that sound is a form of energy, and explain that sound is produced by vibrations
OP41: show that sound transmission requires a medium and that echoes are reflected sound
OP43: recall that the speed of sound is less than the speed of light
OP44: explain the time lag between seeing and hearing the same event
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42
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3B6: Reflection of sound.
Hearing
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reflection of sound: echoes
sound detection in the ear; sound levels; hearing protection
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OP42: appreciate that the ear detects sound vibrations and that exposure to very loud sounds can cause damage to hearing
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42
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3C1: Magnetism


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forces of attraction and repulsion; magnetic field; the Earth’s magnetic field; the magnetic compass
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OP45: carry out simple experiments to show attraction and repulsion between magnets, and test a variety of materials for magnetism
OP46: plot the magnetic field of a bar magnet
OP47: demonstrate that the earth has a magnetic field, and locate north and south
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43
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Biology
Main Topic
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Sub-topics
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Students should be able to
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Text
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1C1: Living Things

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variety of living things, classifying living organisms as plant or animals (vertebrates / invertebrates)Identifying common plants and animals.
life processes and common characteristics of living organisms, relationships between cells, tissues, organs and systems.
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OB38: use a simple key to identify plants and animals, including vertebrates and invertebrates
OB39: investigate the variety of living things by direct observation of animals and plants in their environment; classify living organisms as plants or animals, and animals as vertebrates or invertebrates.
OB40: identify the basic life processes and characteristics common to all living organisms: nutrition, respiration, excretion, growth, reproduction, movement and response
OB41: recall that living things are composed of cells, tissues, organs and systems and that growth results from cell division.
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2
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1C2: The Microscope
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functions and main parts of microscope: eyepiece lens, objective lens, stage, focus control & light source.
using a microscope to examine plant and animal cells
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OB42: describe the functions of the main parts of a light microscope and use it to examine an animal cell and a plant cell.
OB43: draw one example each of an animal cell and a plant cell, identifying the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell wall (plant cell), and indicate the position of the cell membrane.
OB44: prepare a slide from plant tissue and sketch the cells under magnification
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3
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1C3: Plant Structure
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structure and function of the main parts of a typical flowering plant
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OB45: identify the main parts of a typical flowering plant and their functions; the root, stem, leaf and flower.
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13
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1C4: Transport in Plants

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passage of water and minerals through the plant
transpiration
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OB46: associate the transport of water and minerals in the plant with the xylem and the transport of food in the plant with phloem
OB47: carry out simple experiments to show the path of water through plant tissue, and show that water evaporates from the surface of a leaf by transpiration
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13
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1B1: Skeletal System

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the role of skeleton in support, movement and protection
function of bone
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OB24: identify the main parts of the human skeleton and describe its functions as support, movement and protection
OB25: locate the major bones in the human body including the skull, ribs, vertebrae, collarbone, shoulder blade, humerus, radius, ulna, pelvis, femur, tibia and fibula, using a diagram or a model skeleton
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10
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1B2: Muscular System

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muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints
function of muscle in relation to movement
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OB 26: describe the function of joints and muscles (including antagonistic pairs), tendons and ligaments, and the relationship between these and bones.
OB27: describe the general structure and action of different types of joints: fused, ball and socket and hinged, and identify examples of each; skull, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee
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10
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1B4: Reproductive System


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male and female reproductive systems
menstrual cycle
fertilisation and pregnancy
contraception.
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OB31: use wall charts or other illustrative diagrams to identify and locate the main parts of the male and female reproductive system.
OB32: recall that the menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, that menstruation occurs at the start of the cycle and that a fertile period occurs during the cycle
OB33: describe the following events which occur in relation to human reproduction:
- sexual intercourse
- fertilisation – the fusion between male and female gametes (sperm and egg) resulting in a zygote
- cell division of the zygote, which develops into a foetus within the womb
- pregnancy
- birth
- growth and puberty
OB34: recall that there are many forms of contraception, some of which prevent fertilisation
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12
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1C6: Reproduction and germination in plants

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sexual and asexual reproduction
pollination and fertilisation
seed dispersal
conditions necessary for germination
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OB51: distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction in plants and describe a way in which a named plant can reproduce asexually
OB52: locate and identify the main parts of the flower: sepals, petals, carpel and stamen
OB53: use a suitable flower to identify the stigma, style, ovary, anther and filament
OB54: recall that the stamen/anther produces pollen (which provides the male gamete for fertilisation), that the carpel/ovary produces the egg (which provides the female gamete for fertilisation) and describe how pollen is transferred (wind and insect)
OB55: recall that seed formation follows fertilisation, and describe seed dispersal
OB56: describe seed structure (testa, food supply, radical, plumule)
OB57: recall that seed germination is necessary to produce a new plant.
OB58: investigate the conditions necessary for germination
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15
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Chemistry
Main Topic
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Sub-topics
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Students should be able to
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Text
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2A1: Materials
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states of matter
characteristics of solids, liquids and gases
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OC1: name three states of matter and describe their distinguishing characteristics
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20
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2A2: Mixtures
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separating substances using filtration, evaporation , distillation and paper chromatography
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OC2: separate mixtures using a variety of techniques: filtration, evaporation, distillation and paper chromatography
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23
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2A3: Classification of substances, elements and compounds
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classification and properties of elements, compounds and mixtures
the periodic table
classification of elements into metals and non-metals
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OC3: describe and distinguish between, an element, a compound and a mixture; recall that all known elements are listed in the periodic table and that, in a chemical reaction, elements may lose their individual properties
OC4: examine a variety of substances and classify these as
- elements or compounds (using the Periodic Table as a reference)
- metals or non-metals
OC5: list the physical properties (state and colour only) of two examples of metallic and two examples of non-metallic elements
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21 and part of 30
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2A6: Mixtures and compounds
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difference between a mixture and a compound
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OC12: compare the properties of the simple compounds H2O, CO2, MgO and FeS to those of the constituent elements
OC13: compare mixtures and compounds made from the same constituents
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21
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2A5: Non-metals
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examples of non-metallic elements and their symbols: carbon, sulfur, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen
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OC9: recall the symbols of the non-metallic elements C, O, S, H and N
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33
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2A7: Water and solutions

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water as a solvent
effect of temperature on solubility
formation of crystals
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OC14: use cobalt chloride or anhydrous copper sulfate to test for water
OC15: investigate the solubility of a variety of substances in water and the effect of temperature on solubility
OC16: explain the difference between a dilute, a concentrated and a saturated solution
OC17: grow crystals using alum or copper sulfate
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22
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2A8: Acids and bases
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classifying substances as acidic basic or neutral
the pH scale
the pH of a variety of common substances
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OC18: use litmus or universal indicator to test a variety if solutions, and classify these as acidic, basic or neutral
OC19: investigate the pH of a variety of materials using the pH scale
OC20: give examples of everyday acids and bases
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24
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2B1: Air and oxygen

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air as a mixture of gases
preparation and properties of oxygen
products of combustion of carbon and magnesium
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OC21: recall that air is a mixture of gases, and state the composition of air (approximately 78% N2 and 21% O2, with CO2, water vapour and other gases making up the balance)
OC22: show that approximately one fifth of the air is oxygen; show that there is CO2 and water vapour in the air.
OC23: demonstrate and describe what happens when (i) a wooden splint and (ii) a piece of magnesium are burned in air
OC24: prepare a sample of oxygen by decomposing H2O2 using MnO2 as a catalyst (word equation and chemical equation)
OC25: investigate the ability of oxygen to support combustion in a glowing wooden splint and a lighted candle; state two uses of oxygen
OC26: burn carbon and magnesium in oxygen, and test the products using moist litmus
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25
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Blue Colour - Coursework A: Mandatory Experiments and Investigations.
Underlined syllabus content is designated for higher level only.
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