Applied Science, BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (Single Award)

Students should ensure that they meet the entry requirements for the courses they are applying for (available on subject pages) as well as the overall entry requirements (5 grades at level 4 or above but must include English and Maths).

Students need to choose a minimum of three subjects to study. Please note that all of our BTEC courses are single BTEC's and equivalent to 1 A Level, you will need to choose two further subjects if choosing a BTEC course.

Please ensure you have put contact details for yourself and a parent should we need to contact you.

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science is aimed at students who want to continue to study all three sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The course is assessed using a mixture of coursework and examination and there is a large focus on practical skills. It is a vocational course that links directly to scientific careers e.g. Healthcare, lab work, environmental science etc. It’s also suitable for students who aim to progress to higher education and is equivalent in size to one A-level.

Unit 1 Principles and applications of science.

• Chemistry - Periodicity and properties of elements

• Biology – Structure and function of cells and tissues

• Physics – Waves in Communication

Unit 2 Practical scientific procedures and techniques.

• Undertake titration and colorimetry to determine the concentration of solutions

• Undertake calorimetry to study cooling curves

• Undertake chromatographic techniques to identify components in mixtures

• Review personal development of scientific skills for laboratory work

Unit 3 Science investigation skills.

• Planning a scientific investigation

• Data collection, processing and analysis/interpretation

• Drawing conclusions and evaluation

• Enzymes in action

• Diffusion of molecules

• Plants and their environment

• Energy content of fuels

• Electrical circuits

Optional Unit: In addition, students will also study one of the following optional units:

• Physiology of human body systems

• Human regulation and reproduction

• Biological molecules and metabolic pathways

• Genetics and genetic engineering

• Diseases and infection

• Applications of inorganic chemistry

• Applications of organic chemistry

• Electrical circuits and their application

• Astronomy and space science

• Unit 1: External examination (25%)

• Unit 2: Internally assessed coursework (25%)

• Unit 3: External examination (33%)

• Optional Unit: Internally assessed coursework (17%)

Grade 5 or above in GCSE Maths and Grade 5 or above in all three GCSE Science subjects or a 5-5 or above in GCSE Combined Science.

Paired with another subject such as Maths, BTEC Sport or PE, Health & Social Care or Geography, students completing the BTEC Applied Science course can go on to study courses in Engineering, Sports psychology, nursing and environmental science at university to name a few.