Science AS / A2

At Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn we follow the WJEC Biology Syllabus.
Students need to attain a grade B or better in GCSE (Science / Additional Science / Biology) to allow access to this course. We advise the purchase of the WJEC Study & Revision Guides, from Illuminate Publishing, available directly from them or Amazon.

Download PDF of WJEC AS-A2 Specifications

During the summer term students attend a three day residential field course at Dale, Pembrokeshire, studying Marine Biology and Ecological Techniques.

Unit 1 – examined in May.
Biochemistry (Water, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Protein and DNA)
Enzymes
Cell Ultra-structure
Mitosis
Diffusion, Osmosis and Active Transport

Unit 2 – examined in June.
Classification & Biodiversity
Adaptations for gas exchange
Adaptations for transport in Animals & Plants
Adaptations for nutrition in animals

During Year 12 there are 12 standard experiments which are carried out and written up in a Practical Book.

AS revision guide

(available May 2016)

During the spring term students attend a DNA Fingerprinting workshop at Techniquest, Cardiff, where they extract. amplify (PCR) and analyse their DNA (Gel-electro-phoresis).

Unit 3 – examined in June.
ATP & Respiration
Photosynthesis
Microbiology
Populations
Nerves & Hormones
Kidney

Unit 4 – examined in June
Reproduction
Inheritance
Variation & Evolution
Genetic Engineering
Options

During Year 12 there are 12 standard experiments which are carried out and written up in a Practical Book.

Unit 5 – Practical Examination

A2 revision guide

(available May 2017)

Unit 1
Topics include:
Formulae & Equations
Atoms
Chemical Calculations
Bonding
Solid Structures
The Periodic Table
Simple equilibrium and acid-base reactions.

Unit 2
Topics include:
Thermo-chemistry
The wider impact of Chemistry
Organic Compounds
Hydrocarbons
Alcoholst carboxylic acids
Instrumental Analysis

During Year 12 there are 12 standard experiments which are carried out and written up in a Practical Book.

Available from May 2016

Unit 3
Topics include:
Redox and standard electrode potential
Redox reactions
Chemistry of the p-block
Chemistry of the d-block transition metals
Chemical Kinetics
Enthalpy
Equilibrium
Acid-base equilibrium

Unit 4
Topics include:
Stereoisomerism
Aromaticity
Alcohols & Phenols
Aldehydes & Ketones
Carboxylic Acids
Amines
Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins
Organic Synthesis and Analysis

During Year 13 there are 12 standard experiments which are carried out and written up in a Practical Book.
Unit 5 – Practical Exam.

Available from May 2017

Unit 1
Topics include:
Basic Physics
Kinematics
Dynamics
Energy Concepts
Solids under stress
Using Radiation to investigate stars
Particles and nuclear structure

Unit 2
Conduction of Electricity
Resistance
DC Circuits
The Nature of Waves
Refraction of Light
Photons
Lasers

During Year 12 there are 12 standard experiments which are carried out and written up in a Practical Book.

Available from May 2016

Unit 3
Circular Motion
Vibrations
Kinetic Theory
Thermal Physics
Nuclear Decay
Nuclear Energy
Unit 4
Topics include:
Capacitance
Electrostatic and Gravitational Fields of Force
Orbits and the wider Universe
Magnetic Fields
Electromagnetic Induction
Options

During Year 13 there are 12 standard experiments which are carried out and written up in a Practical Book.

Unit 5 – Practical Exam.

Available from May 2017