Summary Btec extended certificate applied science

1 Qualification purpose Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science In this section you will find information on the purpose of this qualification and how its design meets that purpose through the qualification objective and structure. We publish a full ‘Statement of Purpose’ for each qualification on our website. These statements are designed to guide you and potential learners to make the most appropriate choice about the size of qualification suitable at recruitment. Who is this qualification for? The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science is intended as an Applied General qualification for post-16 learners who want to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the applied science sector. The qualification is equivalent in size to one A Level and aims to give a coherent introduction to study of the applied science sector. Learners who wish to take this qualification will have completed a Level 2 programme of learning with GCSEs or vocational qualifications. What does this qualification cover? The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with academics to ensure that it supports progression to higher education. Employers and professional bodies have also been involved and consulted to confirm that the content is appropriate and consistent with current practice for learners planning to enter employment directly in the applied science sector. Learners will study three mandatory units: • Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science I • Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques • Unit 3: Science Investigation Skills. Learners choose one optional unit which has been designed to support choices in progression to applied science courses in higher education. Optional units include: • Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems • Unit 10: Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways • Unit 13: Applications of Inorganic Chemistry • Unit 15: Electrical Circuits and their Application. What could this qualification lead to? The requirements of the qualification will mean that learners develop the transferable and higher order skills which are valued by higher education providers and employers. For example, when studying Unit 3: Science Investigation Skills, learners will develop skills including how to plan investigations, collecting, analysing, and presenting data and communicating results which support some of the skills learners need to progress to higher education, employment, self-employment or training. The qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for many courses if taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two-year programme of learning, including, but not exclusively, those which are science-related. The qualification can be taken as part of a diverse programme, leaving progression options fully open. It can also give context to subjects which would benefit from some scientific background. This will depend on the combination of qualifications chosen. For example, taken alongside: • A Levels such as Mathematics, Physics and Design and Technology to progress to engineering related courses • A Level in Psychology and BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport to progress to sport psychology courses Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science – Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015 11 • BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Health and Social Care to progress to nursing courses • BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science to progress to sport and exercise science courses • A Levels in Geography and Computing to progress to geography or environmental science courses. Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with specific higher education providers. How does the qualification provide employability skills? In the BTEC National units there are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing employability skills. Where employability skills are referred to in this specification, we are generally referring to skills in the following three main categories: • cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology • intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation • interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development. There are also specific requirements in some units for assessment of these skills where relevant. For example, where learners are required to undertake real or simulated activities. How does the qualification provide transferable knowledge and skills for higher education? All BTEC Nationals provide transferable knowledge and skills that prepare learners for progression to university. The transferable skills that universities value include: • the ability to learn independently • the ability to research actively and methodically • being able to give presentations and being active group members. BTEC learners can also benefit from opportunities for deep learning where they are able to make connections among units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC Nationals provide a vocational context in which learners can develop the knowledge and skills required for particular degree courses, including: • reading scientific and technical texts • effective writing • analytical skills • practical skills • preparation for assessment methods used in degrees. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science –Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015 12 2 Structure Qualification structure Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science Mandatory units There are three mandatory units, one internal and two external. Learners must complete and achieve at pass grade or above for all these units. Optional units Learners must complete 1 optional unit. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science Unit number Unit title GLH Type How assessed Mandatory units – learners complete and achieve all units 1 Principles and Applications of Science I 90 Mandatory External 2 Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques 90 Mandatory Internal 3 Science Investigation Skills 120 Mandatory and Synoptic External Optional units – learners complete 1 unit 8 Physiology of Human Body Systems 60 Optional Internal 9 Human Regulation and Reproduction 60 Optional Internal 10 Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways 60 Optional Internal 11 Genetics and Genetic Engineering 60 Optional Internal 12 Diseases and Infections 60 Optional Internal 13 Applications of Inorganic Chemistry 60 Optional Internal 14 Applications of Organic Chemistry 60 Optional Internal 15 Electrical Circuits and their Application 60 Optional Internal 16 Astronomy and Space Science 60 Optional Internal Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science – Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015 13 External assessment This is a summary of the type and availability of external assessment, which is of units making up 58% of the total qualification GLH. See Section 5 and the units and sample assessment materials for more information. Unit Type Availability Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science I • Written examination set and marked by Pearson. • 2 hours. • 90 marks. Jan and May/June First assessment: May/June from 2017 Unit 3: Science Investigation Skills • A task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions. • The supervised assessment period is arranged over 9 days timetabled by Pearson. • The scenario and practical investigation in Part A is given to learners 8 days before Part B is scheduled and is undertaken under supervision in a single session of 3 hours. • Part B is a set task that is undertaken under supervision in a single session of 1.5 hours in a session timetabled by Pearson • 60 marks. Jan and May/June First assessment: May/June 2017 Synoptic assessment The mandatory synoptic assessment requires learners to apply learning from across the qualification to the completion of a defined vocational task. Within the assessment for Unit 3: Science Investigation Skills, learners complete a practical investigation which assesses the skills learnt in the unit though the context of the content areas, and allows learners to apply both transferable and specialist knowledge and skills, drawing on the knowledge and practical techniques they will have met in Unit 1 and Unit 2. Learners complete the task using knowledge and understanding from their studies of the sector and apply both transferable and specialist knowledge and skills. In delivering the unit you need to encourage learners to draw on their broader learning so they will be prepared for the assessment. Employer involvement in assessment and delivery You are encouraged to give learners opportunities to be involved with employers. See Section 4 for more information. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science –Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015 14 3 Units Understanding your units The units in this specification set out our expectations of assessment in a way that helps you to prepare your learners for assessment. The units help you to undertake assessment and quality assurance effectively. Each unit in the specification is set out in a similar way. There are two types of unit format: • internal units • external units. This section explains how the units work. It is important that all teachers, assessors, internal verifiers and other staff responsible for the programme review this section. Internal units Section Explanation Unit number The number is in a sequence in the sector. Numbers may not be sequential for an individual qualification. Unit title This is the formal title that we always use and it appears on certificates. Level All units are at Level 3 on the national framework. Unit type This shows if the unit is internal or external only. See structure information in Section 2 for full details. GLH Units may have a GLH value of 120, 90 or 60 GLH. This indicates the numbers of hours of teaching, directed activity and assessment expected. It also shows the weighting of the unit in the final qualification grade. Unit in brief A brief formal statement on the content of the unit that is helpful in understanding its role in the qualification. You can use this in summary documents, brochures etc. Unit introduction This is designed with learners in mind. It indicates why the unit is important, how learning is structured, and how learning might be applied when progressing to employment or higher education. Learning aims These help to define the scope, style and depth of learning of the unit. You can see where learners should be learning standard requirements (‘understand’) or where they should be actively researching (‘investigate’). You can find out more about the verbs we use in learning aims in Appendix 2. Summary of unit This new section helps teachers to see at a glance the main content areas against the learning aims and the structure of the assessment. The content areas and structure of assessment are required. The forms of evidence given are suitable to fulfil the requirements. Content This section sets out the required teaching content of the unit. Content is compulsory except when shown as ‘e.g.’. Learners should be asked to complete summative assessment only after the teaching content for the unit or learning aim(s) has been covered. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science – Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015 15 Section Explanation Assessment criteria Each learning aim has Pass and Merit criteria. Each assignment has at least one Distinction criterion. A full glossary of terms used is given in Appendix 2. All assessors need to understand our expectations of the terms used. Distinction criteria represent outstanding performance in the unit. Some criteria require learners to draw together learning from across the learning aims. Essential information for assignments This shows the maximum number of assignments that may be used for the unit to allow for effective summative assessment, and how the assessment criteria should be used to assess performance. Further information for teachers and assessors The section gives you information to support the implementation of assessment. It is important that this is used carefully alongside the assessment criteria. Resource requirements Any specific resources that you need to be able to teach and assess are listed in this section. For information on support resources see Section 10. Essential information for assessment decisions This information gives guidance for each learning aim or assignment of the expectations for Pass, Merit and Distinction standard. This section contains examples and essential clarification. Links to other units This section shows you the main relationship among units. This section can help you to structure your programme and make best use of materials and resources. Employer involvement This section gives you information on the units that can be used to give learners involvement with employers. It will help you to identify the kind of involvement that is likely to be successful. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science –Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015 16 External units Section Explanation Unit number The number is in a sequence in the sector. Numbers may not be sequential for an individual qualification. Unit title This is the formal title that we always use and it appears on certificates. Level All units are at Level 3 on the national framework. Unit type This shows if the unit is internal or external only. See structure information in Section 2 for full details. GLH Units may have a GLH value of 120, 90 or 60 GLH. This indicates the numbers of hours of teaching, directed activity and assessment expected. It also shows the weighting of the unit in the final qualification grade. Unit in brief A brief formal statement on the content of the unit. Unit introduction This is designed with learners in mind. It indicates why the unit is important, how learning is structured, and how learning might be applied when progressing to employment or higher education. Summary of assessment This sets out the type of external assessment used and the way in which it is used to assess achievement. Assessment outcomes These show the hierarchy of knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours that are assessed. Includes information on how this hierarchy relates to command terms in sample assessment materials (SAMs). Essential content For external units all the content is obligatory, the depth of content is indicated in the assessment outcomes and sample assessment materials (SAMs). The content will be sampled through the external assessment over time, using the variety of questions or tasks shown. Grade descriptors We use grading descriptors when making judgements on grade boundaries. You can use them to understand what we expect to see from learners at particular grades. Key terms typically used in assessment These definitions will help you analyse requirements and prepare learners for assessment. Resources Any specific resources that you need to be able to teach and assess are listed in this section. For information on support resources see Section 10. Links to other units This section shows the main relationship among units. This section can help you to structure your programme and make best use of materials and resources. Employer involvement This section gives you information on the units that can be used to give learners involvement with employers. It will help you to identify the kind of involvement that is likely to be successful. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science – Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015 17 Index of units This section contains all the units developed for this qualification. Please refer to pages 5–6 to check which units are available in all qualifications in the applied science sector. Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science I 19 Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques 29 Unit 3: Science Investigation Skills 39 Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems 49 Unit 9: Human Regulation and Reproduction 59 Unit 10: Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways 67 Unit 11: Genetics and Genetic Engineering 77 Unit 12: Diseases and Infection 87 Unit 13: Applications of Inorganic Chemistry 97 Unit 14: Applications of Organic Chemistry 109 Unit 15: Electrical Circuits and their Applications 117 Unit 16: Astronomy and Space Science