Applied Science Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

To access this course you are required to have:

• Four or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including science at Grade 4 or above and English and maths at Grade 3 or above  OR
• Successfully completied a full Level 2 science study programme.

If you are a new applicant you will also be required to attend an interview/assessment with a member of the college's admissions team

During year one of the course you will study the following: 

• Principles and applications of science I
• Practical scientific procedures and techniques 
• Science investigation skills 
• Laboratory techniques and their application 
• Physiology of human body systems 
• Electrical circuits and their applications 

In Year Two of the course you will study the following: 

• Principles and applications of science II 
• Investigative project 
• Contemporary issues in science 
• Industrial chemical reactions 
• Applications of organic chemistry  
• Medical physics techniques 

Studying this course you will gain knowledge and understanding of:

• A range of technical, scientific and employability skills
• In-depth practical work
• Research and study skills
• Demands and legislation in science workplace
• Monitoring and recording scientific data
• The science profession
• Role and responsibilities of a science technician or assistant practitioner
• Use the necessary skills to measure quantities for chemical reactions 
• Use the correct equipment to identify structures and functions in different types of cells 
• Investigate different types of energy and their transfers 
• Communicate scientific information 
• Know how procedures are followed and communicated in the scientific workplace 
• Design a scientific laboratory 
• Know about laboratory information management systems 
• Demonstrate safe working practices in the scientific workplace 
• Plan investigation relevant to the area of study 
• Undertake the planned investigation, using appropriate scientific principles 
• Collect, collate and analyse the results from the investigation 
• Draw conclusions from the investigation 
• Use analytical techniques 
• Use scientific techniques to separate and assess purity of substances 
• Use instruments/sensors for scientific investigations 
• Know how scientific ideas develop 
• Understand the public perception of science, as influenced by the media 
• Investigate the ethical and moral issues associated with scientific advances 
• Know the relationship between science, commerce and politics 
• Know the levels of organization within the human body 
• Relate the structure of the circulatory system to its function in a multi-cellular organism 
• Relate the structure of the respiratory system to its function 
• Relate the structure of the digestive system to its function 
• Know atomic structure and the physical principles of ionising radiation and ultrasound 
• Understand how radiopharmaceuticals are used in diagnosing imaging 
• Know the basic principles of magnetic resonance imaging 
• Understand the importance of radiation safety to the treatment of malignant disease with radiotherapy 

You will be assessed via internal assessments to include the following methods: 

• Two external exams (January with a resit opportunity in June) 
• Practical techniques 
• Lab reports 
• Essays 
• Presentations 
• Diagrams 
• Short answer questions 

Completion of the course will enable you to:

• Progress to the Applied Science Edexcel BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (year two) 
• Apply for a job as a science technician or assistant practitioner in a laboratory
• Apply for an apprenticeship
• Enrol for a higher education qualification