Applied Science
Engaging and inspiring, this work-related qualification will provide a practical, real-world approach to scientific learning and will give you the skills you need to either move on to higher education or go straight into employment.
Key features of the BTEC National / Extended certificate in Applied Science are:
- Learners will acquire technical skills, knowledge and understanding enabling them to enter employment in the science sector.
- Learners are given the opportunity to develop a range of practical skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes essential for successful performance in working life.
- The course is 50% portfolio based and 50% examinations. The portfolio work is assessed continuously throughout the course, allowing the students to gauge their own performance on a continuing basis, just like in a real workplace. Students are more engaged and motivated as a result, as they can see and measure their own progress throughout the course.
In Year 12 students will complete a BTEC National Certificate in Applied Science which consists of 180-guided-learning-hours.
The course consists of 3 units that have to be completed:
- Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science
- Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
- Unit 3: Written examination set and marked externally.
On completion of the course you will be awarded a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* based on your overall performance.
The National Certificate is broadly equivalent to one GCE AS Level qualification.
If continued on to Year 13 students can be awarded an Extended Certificate in Applied Science. This consists of a further external written examination and an internally completed unit of work. The Extended Certificate is broadly worth the equivalent of 1 GCE A Level.
Students can use the grades obtained in the BTEC Level 3 Certificate to complete a BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Science (in Year 13). The exact nature of this qualification can be tailored to the requirements of the students, to form a Subsidiary Diploma in either Applied Science, Forensic Science or Medical Science.
The Level 3 BTEC in Applied Science can lead to a variety of scientific careers such as:
- Working as a quality control technician/analyst
- Laboratory carrying out analytical tests using modern instrumentation, ICT and data interpretation
- Working in a hospital as a medical technician
- Working in a research laboratory in the development of new drugs
- Working in the chemical industry, involved with testing materials
- Working with the forensic science service or using their analytical skills in the chemistry industry