Science Curriculum Overview

Y7-9

These three years provide a foundation of knowledge and practical skills necessary to access the IGCSE.

The department has adopted the Exploring Science programme, developed in the U.K., to support the KS3 programme. This programme is thoroughly resourced with text books, formative and summative worksheets, web links, video and presentation software. The course is practically based and clear learning aims have been written for each lesson.

Although the course is based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales, it has been thoroughly audited for Internationalism. (See internationalism policy). Many of the resources provide a global perspective and where appropriate topics are presented through appropriate international contexts. As most of our students originate from Hong Kong many contexts used are local or Chinese.

Y10-11

Science continues as a core subject at KS4 and all students are prepared for the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) double award IGCSE. The course is studied over a 5 term programme and the students sit for the final examinations in the May of Y11.

The Co-ordinated syllabus allows students to experience a balanced programme where Biology, Chemistry and Physics are learnt equitably. This is one of the great strengths of the course and enables students to have wider options when they select their IB subjects in the Senior School. The students’ weaker areas of knowledge are identified through testing and targeted for additional development

The key scientific practically based skills are enhanced through the course along with generic skills such as inquiry, information literacy and study skills. Students develop the skills of planning and evaluating, data collection, analysis and experimental techniques during the course and these are continuously assessed throughout the programme. The students build up a portfolio of practical assessments which are used to provide a final coursework mark; this counts towards 25% of the final examination mark.

The course provides a bridge between the KS3 course and the IB diploma programme. The skills and knowledge from the lower years are built upon to provide a firm foundation for higher study.

Y12-13 IB Diploma Subjects Offered

Science subjects are studied as part of the Group 4 subjects of the IB Diploma. All students must sit at least one Group 4 subject at HL or SL. Many choose to do two subjects. In addition to Biology, Chemistry and Physics the department offers the Group 3/4 trans-disciplinary Environmental Systems and Societies.

The Group 4 subjects develop the material at IGCSE and provide rigorous courses which prepare students for university. They build on the knowledge and skills from KS4 and develop independent learning.

Biology

The IB Biology programme is available at both Standard and Higher Level and are rigorous courses covering all the major aspects of the Biological Sciences including Cytology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Physiology and Plant Science.

There is also the opportunity for students to take two options which, at Sha Tin College, are currently Neurobiology & Behaviour and Further Human Physiology at Higher Level and Neurobiology & Behaviour and Human Nutrition & Health at Standard Level. Assessment is both internal and external. External assessment takes place at the end of the two year course and consists of three written papers and contributes 76% to the final examination grade. Internal assessment takes place continuously over the two year course. It consists of an interdisciplinary project (an investigation undertaken with scientists of different disciplines) and various practical tasks including short laboratory practicals over one or two lessons and long-term practicals or projects extending several weeks; planning experiments, data gathering exercises such as questionnaires, user trials and surveys; data analysis exercises and computer simulations. It contributes 24% to the final examination grade, is internally assessed by the teacher and then sent off to the moderated by the IB organisation.

IB Biology at either Higher or Standard Level provides an excellent general preparation for study at university. It develops skills that will prove invaluable in many higher education courses such as the ability to critically analyse information and present ideas clearly. In addition to Biological Science courses there are also a wide range of other courses at university level that require a good background in Biology including Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Nutrition, Environmental Sciences / Management and Sport Science.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the fundamental central Science. It brings together theories and understanding gained from Physics and Biology and is the key discipline for further study in Medicine, the Pure Sciences and the environment. Chemistry is the enabling Science in many areas of technology whilst playing an integral role in many of the advances made by modern society, from genetics to human health, and from environmental control to information technology. It is the principles learnt in Chemistry that help us to make sense of the physical environment in which we live and all biological systems.

Chemistry is an experimental science and the course enables students to develop skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and communication whilst engaging in practical work on a regular basis throughout the course. Chemistry is a challenging subject, but the sense of reward and satisfaction gained from studying Chemistry more than make up for the challenge. Due to the theoretical and practical mix of the discipline, Chemistry students are equipped with analytical skills and the confidence to attack and solve problems in Chemistry but also in other subject areas.

IB Chemistry is made up of ten core topics of study including Quantitative Chemistry; Atomic Structure; Bonding; Periodicity; Energy Changes; Kinetics; Equilibrium; Acids and Bases; Redox and Organic Chemistry. Higher level students study the same topics but with additional material in each topic. All students also cover two options topics, Human Biochmeistry and Environmental Chemistry.

There are three examination papers at each level:

Environmental Systems and Societies

Environmental systems and societies is a transdisciplinary course that meets the requirements of both GROUP 3 and GROUP 4 subjects. This means that it can count as an option in EITHER or both option groups as it combines the techniques and knowledge associated with group 4 (the experimental sciences) with those associated with group 3 (individuals and societies). The course is suitable for students who are interested in gaining an informed personal response to a wide range of pressing environmental issues and this is approached in a variety of ways including debates and analytical activities as well as fieldwork /educational visits and laboratory activities.

It is only offered at STANDARD LEVEL.

The systems approach provides the core methodology of this course.

It is amplified by other sources, such as economical, historical, socio-political and scientific, to provide a holistic perspective on environmental issues. The seven major topics covered are highlighted in the diagram on the right:

The course content is relevant to today’s world in terms of current affairs and the relevance of environmental issues to different communities. Links to other subject areas such as Economics, Business, History, Philosophy and TOK are also evident throughout the course and many links can be made between students’ other option choices.

The course aims to make students more aware of environmental processes at a variety of scales, from local to global. It also encourages political awareness of a diverse range of cultural perspectives as well as to recognise the extent to which technology plays a role in both causing and solving environmental problems and the consequent value of both local and global collaboration in resolving environmental problems.

A global environmental awareness is very important in this day and age, not only in terms of scientific research and the development of new technology, but also in the fields of business, environmental law and politics where it is becoming increasingly important. The ability to articulate and make reasoned and balanced judgments by integrating information from a range of different disciplinary sources will prove invaluable in many higher education courses

Physics

Physics is a fundamental science, and those who study it will gain an understanding of the basic laws that govern everything from the very small subatomic to the very large cosmic scale. The study of Physics provides us with an unparalleled power of analysis that is useful in the study of other sciences, engineering, mathematics, as well in daily life.

IB Physics is divided up into several distinct yet overlapping topics enabling a blend of both classical and modern physics. Early on in the course we explore the nature of objects in motion and what effect forces can have on objects with mass. Electromagnetism, simple harmonic motion and wave phenomena are also studied in considerable depth. Later in the course we look at the physics of energy production and climate change. The course usually ends with a fascinating exploration of astrophysics where we seek to answer such questions as “what are stars made of?” and “how old is the universe?”

The core component of the syllabus is shared by both the higher and standard level courses. Students on the higher level course have the chance to study the core components in more depth as well as to be introduced to new topics including those of quantum physics and relativity. The course is a challenging one but most students agree that the rewards are well worth the effort.

Experimental work in the laboratory is integral to the study of physics and is therefore a key aspect of the course at both higher and standard levels. In fact over 20% of the final mark awarded by the IB is for practical work undertaken during the two years of study. The aim of such inquiry-based practical work is to develop skills ranging from the planning of an investigation to the thorough analysis of its results. Many students enjoy the practical aspect of the course and score high marks in this area.