BTEC National Certificate in Science(Laboratory and Industrial Science)

Why choose this subject?This is a two year course that is equivalent to two A levels. You will work on assignments that involve in-depth research into many aspects of science practice and develop presentation skills. This is a good choice if you prefer coursework approaches.

Entry requirements: National Certificate in Science; or 5 A*-C grades at GCSE which includes C or above at GCSE Science and ideally a C grade in English.

Essential if you go on to: A degree in Science based subjects at University, Nursing, Teaching, the world of Scientific Work.

Course Description

To achieve a level 3 certificate 12 internally assessed coursework units must be completed. Six of the units and core units, the rest are optional units – these are dedicated by negotiation between staff and students during the first year of the course. The work of each unit must be completed by the deadline date set by the assessor.

Expectations and advice: The course is quite demanding and you are expected to be industrious and well organised throughout. You will need to make good use of your diary to record homework set, deadlines dates and research work to do during private study lessons. You are expected to do at least ten hours of private study each week, perhaps more at certain times. It is important that you keep up to date with your work. Your progress will be discussed at regular review meetings with your teachers where you will be given advice on study skills abs organising your time.You are encouraged to discuss your work and ideas with other students although all assessed work must be done by you alone. Assessors will not be able to grade copied work or plagiarised work.

Core UnitsUnit 1 Fundamentals of Science Unit 2 Working in the Science IndustryUnit 3 Scientific InvestigationUnit 4 Scientific Practical TechniquesUnit 5 Perceptions of ScienceUnit 6 Application of Numbers for Science Technicians

Optional Units (select 7,8, 9 & 6 others)Unit 7 Mathematics for Science TechniciansUnit 8 Statistics for Science TechniciansUnit 9 InformaticsUnit 10 Using Science in the WorkplaceUnit 11 Physiology of Human Body SystemsUnit 12 Physiology of Human Regulation and ReproductionUnit 13 Biochemical TechniquesUnit 14 Energy Changes, Sources and ApplicationsUnit 15 Microbiological Techniques Unit 16 Chemistry for Biology Technicians Unit 17 Electrical Circuits and their Industrial ApplicationsUnit 18 Genetics and Genetics EngineeringUnit 19 Practical Chemical AnalysisUnit 20 Medical Physics TechniquesUnit 21 Chemical Laboratory Techniques Unit 22 Science for Environmental TechniciansUnit 23 Principles of Plant and Soil ScienceUnit 24 Electronics for Science TechniciansUnit 25 Industrial Applications of Chemical ReactionsUnit 26 Chemical Periodicity and its ApplicationsUnit 27 Industrial Applications of Organic Chemistry

The complete syllabus and various other documents can be downloaded from the OCR website: www. ocr.org.uk - Look for BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (Laboratory and Industrial Science)