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First Year Syllabus

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Physics

Main Topic

 

Sub-topics

 

Students should be able to

 

Text

 

3A1: Measurement in science

 

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)

 

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

 

34 and part of 35

 

3A6: Energy

 

bbc

SEI

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

 

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

 

39

 

3A7: Energy conversions

 

energy conversions

example of energy conversion from everyday experience

 

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

 

39

 

3B3: Light

 

sources and transmission of light; speed of light; shadows; colour and the visible spectrum; dispersion of white light

 

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

 

41

 

3B4: Reflection of light

Refraction of light

 

reflection of light at plane surfaces; image in a plane mirror

refraction: refraction by lenses

applications of reflection and refraction

 

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

 

41

 

3B5: Sound

 

vibrations and sound; transmission of sound; speed of sound

 

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

 

42

 

3B6: Reflection of sound.

Hearing

 

reflection of sound: echoes

sound detection in the ear; sound levels; hearing protection

 

OP42: appreciate that the ear detects sound vibrations and that exposure to very loud sounds can cause damage to hearing

 

42

 

3C1: Magnetism

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phet

 

forces of attraction and repulsion; magnetic field; the Earth’s magnetic field; the magnetic compass

 

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

 

43

 


 

Biology

Main Topic

 

Sub-topics

 

Students should be able to

 

Text

 

1C1: Living Things

skoool.ie

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.

 

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.

 

2

 

1C2: The Microscope

 

functions and main parts of microscope: eyepiece lens, objective lens, stage, focus control & light source.

using a microscope to examine plant and animal cells

 

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

 

3

 

1C3: Plant Structure

 

structure and function of the main parts of a typical flowering plant

 

OB45: identify the main parts of a typical flowering plant and their functions; the root, stem, leaf and flower.

 

13

 

1C4: Transport in Plants

skoool.ie

passage of water and minerals through the plant

transpiration

 

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

 

13

 

1B1: Skeletal System

the role of skeleton in support, movement and protection

function of bone

 

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

 

10

 

1B2: Muscular System

muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints

function of muscle in relation to movement

 

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

 

10

 

1B4: Reproductive System

skoool.ie

male and female reproductive systems

menstrual cycle

fertilisation and pregnancy

contraception.

 

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

 

12

 

1C6: Reproduction and germination in plants

skoool.ie

sexual and asexual reproduction

pollination and fertilisation

seed dispersal

conditions necessary for germination

 

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

 

15

 


 

Chemistry

Main Topic

 

Sub-topics

 

Students should be able to

 

Text

 

2A1: Materials

 

states of matter

characteristics of solids, liquids and gases

 

OC1: name three states of matter and describe their distinguishing characteristics

 

20

 

2A2: Mixtures

 

separating substances using filtration, evaporation , distillation and paper chromatography

 

OC2: separate mixtures using a variety of techniques: filtration, evaporation, distillation and paper chromatography

 

23

 

2A3: Classification of substances, elements and compounds

 

classification and properties of elements, compounds and mixtures

the periodic table

classification of elements into metals and non-metals

 

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

 

21 and part of 30

 

2A6: Mixtures and compounds

 

difference between a mixture and a compound

 

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

 

21

 

2A5: Non-metals

 

examples of non-metallic elements and their symbols: carbon, sulfur, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen

 

OC9: recall the symbols of the non-metallic elements C, O, S, H and N

 

33

 

2A7: Water and solutions

 

phet

water as a solvent

effect of temperature on solubility

formation of crystals

 

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

 

22

 

2A8: Acids and bases

 

classifying substances as acidic basic or neutral

the pH scale

the pH of a variety of common substances

 

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

 

24

 

2B1: Air and oxygen

skoool.ie

air as a mixture of gases

preparation and properties of oxygen

products of combustion of carbon and magnesium

 

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

 

25

 


 

Blue Colour - Coursework A: Mandatory Experiments and Investigations.

Underlined syllabus content is designated for higher level only.


 

 

 

 

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