Liston College

Liston Level 1 Advanced Science

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mrs K. Jom.

Recommended Prior Learning

It is recommended that you would have achieved mostly 'Merit' or 'Excellence' grades in Year 10 Science, English and Mathematics standards.

Helpful Accompanying Subjects:
• Mathematics
• English

This course aims to develop students' investigative skills and helps them to appreciate the nature of biology, chemistry and physics and its relevance to every-day life. Students are encouraged to develop the necessary practical skills to make, record and process chemical and physical observations.

Students will be enrolled in a mixture of biology, chemistry and physics standards. As this as an extensive course that is aimed to extend the students' understanding, students will be expected to meet the required level of effort needed to keep up with this advanced course.

The course prepares students for NCEA Level 2 Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Please note: this is the advanced science course and students who feel they will not be able to manage the course load are recommended to take the Level 1 General Science course.

Course Overview

Semester A
The following standards will be taught over Term 1 and 2:

Advanced Science 1.5: Mechanics – External – 4 credits
This topic covers the study of motion, forces, and energy. Students use graphs and diagrams to describe types of motion, use formula to calculate physical quantities and explain physics phenomena in everyday situations. This topic involves calculations and requires the use of physics vocabulary, symbols, and conventions.

Advanced Science 1.2: Acids and Bases – External – 4 credits
Students will demonstrate their understanding of atomic structure and sub-atomic particles, factors that affect the speed of chemical reactions, and the properties of acids and bases - including pH and indicators. This standard will require the use of chemistry vocabulary, symbols, and conventions (including names and formulae), and writing balanced symbol equations.

Advanced Science 1.4: Titrations – Internals – 3 credits
In this topic students will carry out quantitative analysis via an acid-base neutralisation reaction. Students will learn about molar mass of compounds, determine concentration of solutions and correct use of laboratory equipment and techniques involved in titrations.

Mid-year examination at the end of Term 2 to assess the following external standards:
- Advanced Science 1.5: Mechanics – External – 4 credits
- Advanced Science 1.2: Acids and Bases – External – 4 credits

Semester B
The following standards will be taught over Term 3 and 4:

Advanced Science 1.1: Genetics and Inheritance – External – 4 credits
Students will demonstrate their understanding of how tracking genetic variation provides a useful tool to show connections between living things. Students will explore sources of genetic variation, and link gene tracking to human endeavours such as care for an endangered species. This will include the use of linking biological ideas about genetic variation and inheritance.

Advanced Science 1.6: Electricity and Magnetism – External – 4 credits
This topic involves the study of static electricity, circuits, and electromagnetism. Students will explain how static electricity is generated and applied in everyday situations. Create and describe series and parallel circuits and use Ohms law to calculate physical quantities such as voltage and current. Students will also explore the relationship between electricity and magnetism. This topic involves calculations and requires the use of physics vocabulary, symbols, and conventions.

Advanced Science 1.3: Carbon Chemistry – Externals – 4 credits
Students will demonstrate their understanding of carbon chemistry and link its uses to the effects on the environment. This includes combustion, plastic production, and environmental issues. This standard will require the use of chemistry vocabulary, basic nomenclature, symbols, and conventions (including names and formulae) and writing balanced symbol equations.

Preliminary examination at the end of Term 3 to assess the following external standard:
- Advanced Science 1.1: Genetics and Inheritance – External – 4 credits

End-of-year examination at the end of Term 4 to assess the following external standards:
- Advanced Science 1.6: Electricity and Magnetism – External – 4 credits
- Advanced Science 1.3: Carbon Chemistry – Externals – 4 credits

Learning Areas:

Science, Year 11 Science Requirement

Assessment Information

The students are offered six standards in this course worth a total of 23 credits. All standards will be assessed under exam conditions. Each external standard is worth 4 credits. The sole internal is a practical based investigation and is worth 3 credits.

The year has been divided into two semesters.
The first semester will assess two external and one internal standard. The internal standard credits will be awarded upon completion of the internal assessment. The two external standard credits will be awarded upon the completion of the mid-year exam at the end of Term 2.
The second semester will assess the final three external standards. The first external standard credits will be awarded upon completing the preliminary examination at the end of Term 3. The remaining two external standard credits will be awarded upon completing the end-of-year examination in Term 4.