The Science Department at Dominican College offers an inspiring and hands-on learning environment for students
Students are encouraged to engage in extracurricular activities such as the STEM Club, LEGO Club and Eco Club. Year 13 and Year 14 students are given the opportunity to be STEM Ambassadors, where they help promote the wonder of science to younger students. Field trips to local areas including Magilligan Field Centre and Portnahappple rock pools are used to consolidate learning and develop skills.
The Department also offers opportunities to take part in prestigious competitions, including the Faraday Challenge and the Chemistry and Biology Olympiads, where students can challenge themselves and showcase their scientific abilities. To further enhance their skills, students participate in STEM-focused events with Sentinus, Raising Robots, W5 and the RIGB where they work on solving real-world problems in creative and innovative ways. Speakers from interesting areas of STEM and research visit students to help connect their learning to the real world. The Department also celebrates Science Week, to help foster a deeper appreciation for Science within the school community. With its comprehensive and immersive approach to science education, we aim to equip students with the tools they need to excel in the ever-evolving world of STEM.
KS3 Science:
At Key Stage 3, students build a solid foundation in key Science concepts like matter, chemical reactions, cells and organisms, ecosystems, forces and energy. Emphasis is placed on practical, hands on learning and skill development. Students are encouraged to work together in groups and also to develop as independent learners to ensure a dynamic learning experience that prepares students for the challenges of GCSE.
KS4: CCEA Single Award Science
Unit | Content | Assessment | Weighting |
1 | Biology | External Written Exam (1 hour) | 25% |
2 | Chemistry | External Written Exam (1 hour) | 25% |
3 | Physics | External Written Exam (1 hour) | 25% |
4 | Practical Skills Assessment | Booklet A: two practical tasks (2 hours)
Booklet B: External Written Exam (1hour/1hour 15minutes depending on tier) |
25% |
CCEA Double Award Science (worth two GCSEs)
Unit | Content | Assessment | Weighting |
B1 | Biology: Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity | External Written Exam (1 hour) | 11% |
C1 | Chemistry: Structures, Trends, Chemical Reactions, Quantitative Chemistry and Analysis | External Written Exam (1 hour) | 11% |
P1 | Physics: Motion, Force, Moments, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory, Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission and Fusion | External Written Exam (1 hour) | 11% |
B2 | Biology: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health | External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) | 14% |
C2 | Chemistry: Further Chemical Reactions, Rates and Equilibrium, Calculations and Organic Chemistry | External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) | 14% |
P2 | Physics: Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetism and Space Physics | External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) | 14% |
7 | Practical Skills in Biology, Chemistry and Physics | Booklet A: three practical tasks (3 hours)
Booklet B: External Written Exam (1hour 30minutes) |
25% |
KS5:
CCEA BIOLOGY
Unit | Content | Assessment | Weighting |
AS 1 | Molecules and Cells | External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) | 37.5% of AS
15% of A level |
AS 2 | Organisms and Biodiversity | External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) | 37.5% of AS
15% of A level |
AS 3 | Practical Skills in AS Biology | A: Internal Practical Assessment
B: External Written Exam (1 hour) |
25% of AS
10% of A level |
A2 1 | Physiology, Co-ordination and Control, and Ecosystems | External Written Exam (2 hours 15minutes) | 24% of A level |
A2 2 | Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends | External Written Exam (2 hours 15minutes) | 24% of A level |
A2 3 | Practical Skills in A2 Biology | A: Internal Practical Assessment
B: External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) |
12% of A level |
CCEA CHEMISTRY
Unit | Content | Assessment | Weighting |
AS 1 | Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry | External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) | 40% of AS
16% of A level |
AS 2 | Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry and an Introduction to Organic Chemistry | External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) | 40% of AS
16% of A level |
AS 3 | Basic Practical Chemistry | A: Practical Assessment (1hour 15minutes)
B: External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) |
20% of AS
8% of A level |
A2 1 | Further Physical and Organic Chemistry | External Written Exam (2 hours) | 24% of A level |
A2 2 | Analytical, Transition Metals, Electrochemistry and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry | External Written Exam (2 hours) | 24% of A level |
A2 3 | Further Practical Chemistry | A: Practical Assessment (1hour 15minutes)
B: External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) |
12% of A level |
CCEA PHYSICS
Unit | Content | Assessment | Weighting |
AS 1 | Forces, Energy and Electricity | External Written Exam (1 hour 45minutes) | 40% of AS
16% of A level |
AS 2 | Waves, Photons and Astronomy | External Written Exam (1 hour 45minutes) | 40% of AS
16% of A level |
AS 3 | Practical Techniques and Data Analysis | A: Practical Assessment (1hour)
B: External Written Exam (1 hour) |
20% of AS
8% of A level |
A2 1 | Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics | External Written Exam (2 hours) | 24% of A level |
A2 2 | Fields, Capacitors and Particle Physics | External Written Exam (2 hours) | 24% of A level |
A2 3 | Practical Techniques and Data Analysis | A: Practical Assessment (1hour 15minutes)
B: External Written Exam (1 hour 15minutes) |
12% of A level |
PEARSON LEVEL 3 BTEC APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit | Content | Assessment | Weighting |
1 | Principles and Applications of Science | External Written Exam (Three 40minute papers) | 25% |
2 | Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques | Internally Asssessed | 25% |
3 | Science Investigation Skills | External Written Exam (2 hour 15minutes) | 33.3% |
4 | Physiology of Human Body Systems | Internally Assessed | 16.7% |
CAREERS
Studying science subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Applied Science equips students with a diverse set of skills including analytical thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, and technical proficiency.
These skills are highly valued across numerous industries, opening up a wide range of career opportunities in areas such as healthcare, technology, environmental protection, or research.
Possible Careers:
- Biochemist
- Biomedical Technician
- Dentistry
- Medical Sector
- Forensic Scientist
- Pharmacy & Pharmaceuticals
- Laboratory Technician
- Astrophysicist
- Medical Physicist
- Engineer (Aerospace, Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical)
- Environmental Scientist
- Data Scientist
- Teacher / Lecturer
- Research Scientist