Third Year Syllabus
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Physics
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Sub-topics
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Students should be able to
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3C2: Static electricity


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electric charge; effects of static electricity; earthing
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OP48: use simple materials to generate static electricity; demonstrate the force between charged objects and the effects of earthing
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44
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3C3: Current electricity
Voltage



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current as a flow of charge; measuring current
measuring potential difference (voltage) and resistance for metallic conductors
relationship between voltage, current and resistance
direct and alternating current; heating, chemical and magnetic effects of an electric current
conductors and insulators
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OP49: test electrical conduction in a variety of materials, and classify each material as a conductor or insulator
OP50: set up a simple electric circuit, use appropriate instruments to measure current, potential difference (voltage) and resistance, and establish the relationship between them.
OP52: perform simple calculations based on the relationship between current, potential difference (voltage), and resistance
OP53: describe the heating effect, the chemical effect, and the magnetic effect of an electric current, and identify everyday applications of these, including the action of a fuse
OP54: distinguish between direct and alternating current; recall that the voltage of the mains supply is 230 volts a.c.
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3C4: Electric circuits

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simple circuits – series and parallel; function of a switch
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OP51; demonstrate simple series and parallel circuits containing a switch and two bulbs
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45
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3C5: Electricity in the home
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mains supply; fuses and circuit breakers and their role in safety; wiring a plug
power rating of electric appliances; units used in calculating electricity bills
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OP55: recall that the unit of electrical energy used by electricity supply companies is the kilowatt-hour; calculate the cost of using common electrical appliances based on their power rating.
OP56: describe how to wire a plug correctly, and explain the safety role of a fuse or circuit breaker in domestic electrical circuits
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3C6: Electronics
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simple electronic devices; everyday applications
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OP57: describe a diode as a device that allows current to flow in one direction only and recall that a light emitting diode (LED) requires less current than a bulb
OP58: set up simple series circuits using switches, buzzers, LEDs and resistors.
OP59: measure the resistance of a light-dependent resistor (LDR) under varying degrees of brightness of light
OP60: identify everyday applications of the diode, including the LED, and of the LDR.
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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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1B3: Sensory system
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awareness of, and response to our surroundings through our sense organs
sensory and motor function of nerves
communication between the sense organs and the brain
structure of the eye and functions of the parts of the eye
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OB28: recall five sense organs in the human (eyes,ears, nose, skin and tongue) and explain how these enable students to gather information from their surroundings
OB29: describe the role of the central nervous system and the motor and sensory functions of nerves
OB30: locate the main parts of the eye on a model or diagram and describe the function of the cornea, iris, lens, pupil,retina, optic nerve and ciliary muscle
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1B5: Genetics
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inheritable and non-inheritable characteristics
chromosomes and genes
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OB35: appreciate that humans have inheritable and non-inheritable characteristics, and recall that inheritable characteristics are controlled by genes
OB36: recall that genes are located on chromosomes and that in a human there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, which are located in the nucleus
OB37: recall that chromosomes are made of DNA and protein
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12
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1C7: Ecology


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local habitat study
simple keys and instruments (quadrat, pooter, pitfall trap, beating tray, line transect) to show variety and distribution of named organisms
food chains and food webs, adapatation, competition and interdependence
conservation, pollution and waste management
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OB59: study a local habitat, using appropriate instruments and simple keys to show the variety and distribution of named organisms
OB60: appreciate that living things are affected by their environment and respond to changes that occur in that environment, and that their numbers depend on the availability of food and the presence or absence of other organisms
OB61: list example of producers, decomposers and consumers in an ecosystem
OB62: select a food chain and a food web from a named habitat and identify examples of adaptation, competition and interdependence
OB63: appreciate the importance of conservation and of pollution and waste management to the environment, and identify ways in which living things contribute to these, both individually and as a community.
OB64: discuss how human activity affects the environment, both positively and negatively (two examples in each case)
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1C8: Microbiology and biotechnology
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micro-organisms: bacteria, fungi and viruses
biotechnology in industry and medicine
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OB65 investigate the presence of of micro-organisms in air and soil
OB66 state two uses of biotechnology in industry and two uses of biotechnology in medicine
OB67: list three common illnesses caused by viruses and three caused by bacteria
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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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2B3:Hardness of water
Water treatment

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dissolved solids in water
hardness in water and its effects
water treatment
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OC30: conduct a qualitative experiment to detect the presence of dissolved solids in water samples, and test water for hardness (soap test)
OC31: explain that some dissolved compounds, including compounds of calcium, cause hardness in water, and that water hardness can be removed using an ion exchanger.
OC32: carry out simple distillation and obtain a sample of water from seawater
OC33: describe the processes involved in the treatment of water supplied to domestic consumers
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27
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2B4: Electrolysis of water
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decomposition of water by electrolysis
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OC34: investigate the decomposition of water by electrolysis: recall the composition of water
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27
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2C5:Hydrocarbons, acid rain
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products of combustion of fossil fuels
causes and effects of acid rain
the effect of acid rain on limestone and on plants
crude oil products as raw materials for plastics
non-biodegradable plastics and their contribution to pollution
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OC53: recall that fossil fuels are sources of hydrocarbons, and that they produce CO2 and H2O when burned
OC54: list two examples of fossil fuels
OC55: describe the role of the combustion of fuels in the the production of acid rain, with particular reference to SO2; describe the effects of acid rain
OC56: describe the effects of acid rain on limestone and on plants
OC57: appreciate that natural gas is mainly methane
OC58: identify everyday applications of plastics, and understand that crude oil products are the raw material for their production
OC59: associate the properties of everyday plastics with their use
OC60: describe and discuss the impact of non-biodegradable plastics on the environment
OC61: appreciate that chemistry has an important role in pharmacy, medicine and the food industry.
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Blue Colour - Coursework A: Mandatory Experiments and Investigations.
Underlined syllabus content is designated for higher level only.
In addition to the material listed above, each student will be required to undertake two specified investigations in their third year and to submit a pro forma report on these for assessment. These additional investigations, based on the topics and learning outcomes in the syllabus, will be set by the examining body and will vary from year to year. These investigations account for 25% of the students final grade and will require substantial time investment, by the student, during this year. MORE
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