Science is about finding patterns and relationships between variables. It is about making predictions, testing them or finding explanations for observations that go against our current understanding.
Courses Offered
Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Applied Science (Extended Certificate)
Equivalent to 1 A level.
Syllabus Breakdown
You will study 4 mandatory units and 1 optional unit.
Mandatory units:
- Principles and Applications of Biology – Structure and function of cells and tissues, biological molecules, enzymes and their role in organisms
- Principles and Applications of Chemistry – Structure of the Periodic Table and its implications on physical and chemical properties of substances, through analysis of different bonding methods
- Principles and Applications of Physics – Waves and their applications; force principles and their application in transportation and construction of electrical circuits
- Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques – Practical applications across the sciences, including chromatography, colorimetry and electrical circuits.
Optional Unit from:
- Scientific Investigation Skills – Investigative research, including planning, data collection, analysis and evaluation.
- Contemporary Issues in Science – Contemporary scientific issues including the reliability of sources of scientific information and their associated validity.
Subject Key Concepts
Subject Key Concepts
#1 DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC THINKING
#2 EXPERIMENTAL SKILLS AND STATEGIES
#3 SCIENTIFIC VOCABULARY
BIOLOGY
#1 CELL BIOLOGY #2 ORGANISATION (ORGANS) #3 INFECTION AND RESPONSE #4 BIOENERGETICS
#5 INHERITANCE, VARIATION AND EVOLUTION #6 ECOLOGY #7 BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES
CHEMISTRY
#1 MATTER #2 REACTIONS #3 ENERGY
#4 QUANTITATIVE #5 INDIVIDUAL, SOCIAL AND SOCIETY
PHYSICS
#1 FORCES #2 ENERGY #3 ATOMIC STRUCTURE AND RADIOACTIVITY
#4 PARTICLE MODEL #5 SPACE
Please click here for Subject Key Concepts.
Minimum Entry Requirements
Sixth Form entry requirement of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above
Why Study Applied Science?
This course is designed for post-16 students with an interest in science and who are aiming to progress to higher education as a route to graduate level employment.
BTEC Nationals have always required applied learning that brings together knowledge and understanding with practical and technical skills. This is achieved through learners performing vocational tasks that encourage the development of appropriate vocational behaviours and transferable skills.
Transferable skills
Recent future skills reports have highlighted the growing importance of transferable skills for students to succeed in their careers and lives in this fast-changing world. Following research and consultation with FE educators and higher education institutions, Pearson has developed a Transferable Skills Framework to facilitate and guide the development of transferable skills through this qualification. The Framework has four broad skill areas, each with a cluster of transferable skills as shown below:
- Managing Yourself: (1) Taking personal responsibility; (2) Personal strengths and resilience; (3) Career orientation planning; (4) Personal goal setting
- Effective Learning: (1) Managing own learning; (2) Continuous learning; (3) Secondary research skills (4) Primary research skills
- Interpersonal Skills: (1) Written communications; (2) Verbal and non-verbal communications; (3) Teamwork; (4) Cultural and social intelligence
- Solving Problems: (1) Critical thinking (2) Problem solving; (3) Creativity and innovation
Science Specific Skills
Students will develop the following knowledge and skills from the mandatory units:
- Fundamental scientific principles and applied knowledge relating to biology, chemistry and physics
- Laboratory techniques, including health and safety assessment, and associated professional practice
- Problem solving.
Students will develop the following knowledge and skills from the optional units:
- Scientific Research skills including researching and planning methodologies, primary data collection and analysis, drawing justified conclusions.
- Secondary research skills including collecting information from a range of sources, its evaluation and interpretation, and its use to draw reasoned conclusions.
- Transferable skills such as critical thinking, taking personal responsibility and written communications.
Wider Opportunities
Digital skills
Digital skills are required in every industry as well as in everyday life and with the acceleration of automation and AI in industry it is critical for students to understand how digital technologies are relevant and applied in the context of the sector they are studying.
With this in mind, we have used the Digital Skills Framework published by IFATE as a frame of reference to identify opportunities for the delivery and development of digital skills in this qualification.
This Digital Skills framework has five categories with specific digital characteristics that apply in varying extent across sectors:
- Problem Solving – The use of digital tools to analyse and solve problems
- Digital Collaboration and Communication – Using digital tools to communicate and share information with stakeholders
- Transacting Digitally – Using digital tools to set up accounts and pay for goods/services
- Digital Security – Identify threats and keep digital tools safe
- Handling Data Safely and Securely – Follow correct procedures when handling personal and organisational data
Sustainability skills
To help students develop sustainability skills, practices and mindset, we have designed content in this qualification, aligned to the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDGs), that are relevant and appropriate to the sector. The SDGs are the most common point of reference for content that addresses sustainability education and provides a useful and pragmatic way of presenting this content.
Sustainability knowledge and understanding may be included in the teaching and learning content but not directly assessed. Alternatively, it could be assessed – the approach chosen for each unit is based on the relevance of knowledge and understanding to the purpose and scope of the unit.
What Can I Do Next?
Scientists will have developed many skills that make them desirable employees in a diverse range of industries such as the research and development sector, financial sector, engineering and construction, and computing. Level 3 Science qualifications will open the doors to many exciting careers and degree courses.
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 the Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques Unit, learners will develop laboratory skills, including collaboration and teamwork which support some of the skills learners need to progress to higher education, employment, self-employment or training.
The qualification attracts UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for many relevant courses if taken alongside other Level 3 qualifications as part of a programme of learning. Learners will be able to choose a wide range of degree programmes to progress to, depending on the other qualifications they have taken.
