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Overview

This course forms part of the vocationally-focused GCEs. This more broad-based qualification provides a more vocational perspective. This vocational area of the course offers students more opportunities to experience actively the scientific environment through work experience, links with local employers, case studies and research.

The course also offers students the choice to personalise their path of study, and obtain a qualification that meets both their individual aptitudes and interests. The pathways students can choose include; Analysis and Detection, The Environment, Manufacturing, Health and Communications.

Prior study of the subject at GCSE level may be of benefit but it is not essential. The course prepares students to enter a variety of science or science-related degree level courses, or provide futher training whilst in employment. This qualification may also be used to complement other vocational courses or provide a work-related experience for students taking non-vocational subjects.

Specification aims

The aims of these specifications are to:

• Provide students with the opportunity to develop appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding and apply these where science is used.
• Enable students to appreciate and evaluate the social, economic and environmental impact that science work has in society, identifying ethical issues that may arise.
• Prepare students for further study on a course in a science or in a science-related subject or for training in a science-related occupation.
• Support and complement other programmes of advanced level study.

In addition, the specifications aim to encourage students to:

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of the scientific ideas and skills that scientists need in order to be effective in their work and to apply this in a variety of vocational contexts.
• Become skilful in carrying out practical techniques and following procedures used in vocational contexts.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the science used by organisations, business and industry.
• Further develop their interest in science and its practical applications through exploring and experiencing science in a vocational context.
• Understand the nature of science-based work and the contribution this use of science makes to society.
• Develop an awareness of the use and importance of ICT in scientific work.
• Develop their skills of investigation and problem solving in a vocational context, by applying their knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and techniques, using skills of primary research, planning, data collection, analysis and evaluation.