take a closer look at
Science
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Science
COURSE GUIDE 2015
At Carmel, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
and Applied Science are grouped within
the Faculty of Science.
Each course aims to develop a sound
understanding of scientific principles to
prepare you for an increasingly complex
world.
Your progress will be constantly assessed
to ensure you achieve your full potential.
Excellent pass rates are obtained in all
subjects year on year.
Most students progress to Higher
Education courses including pure science,
engineering, medicine, computing,
mathematical and sports related degrees.
AS/A Level Biology
Our
students
say...
Exam Board AQA
Why choose Biology at Carmel?
The Biology department is excellent and students are highly successful. Out of the 212
students who studied Biology to AS at Carmel last year, 45% of them gained A-C grades. Many
of them continue to A2 and last year out of the 118 A2 students, 68% achieved A*-C grades.
You will be taught by an enthusiastic, caring team who are committed to your success in the
subject. Members of the department are experienced examiners and moderators. You will have
the opportunity to experience a wealth of enrichment activities both at home and abroad. Over
the years, excursions have included visits to Chester Zoo and trips to London, Holland, Costa
Rica, Yellowstone National Park, USA and The Gambia.
What will the course involve?
You will enjoy a wide range of learning experiences, including practical work, practice exam
questions, comprehensive printed notes and interactive fun activities.
The AS course covers fundamental biological principles and how this knowledge is used in the
21st century. At AS Level, you will study a wide variety of units from cells and mammalian
transport, through to genetics and health and disease. At A2, you will study more detailed
aspects of Biology, and their applications in modern scientific research are emphasised.
Homework is set regularly to test your understanding and you will be given feedback on your
progress. An extensive support system is in place to help you achieve your potential.
How will I be assessed?
There are 4 modules at AS and 4 at A Level. At AS and A Level, there are terminal exams,
2 written papers for AS and 3 written papers for A Level.
Also at A Level, your practical work will be assessed throughout the course to form your
practical endorsement.
Where does this course lead?
There are many careers for which Biology is either essential or very useful - medicine, nursing,
dentistry, physiotherapy, health education, veterinary science, agriculture, pharmacy,
pharmacology, bio-chemistry, PE, psychology, speech therapy, forestry, biotechnology, food
science, microbiology, laboratory work, radiography and teaching.
Biology at Carmel covers a
wide range of topics that
allows everyone to find
something that particularly
fascinates them.
I have especially enjoyed Biology
because it has stretched my existing
knowledge and allowed me to
further my interest in evolution and
genetics. All the tutors at Carmel are
approachable and friendly, and are
willing to help if you are struggling
with any aspect of the course. What
always impresses me about Carmel is
that the teachers have a real passion
for their subjects which shows through
in the teaching here. Next year I
hope to study Natural Sciences at
Cambridge which will allow me to
maintain a broad learning of Biology
and Chemistry before I decide to
specialise further in the future.
2011
2012
2013
2014
%A*-B
%A*-C
%A*-E
AS
230
38%
59%
92%
A2
116
53%
78%
100%
AS
219
40%
58%
90%
A2
145
60%
77%
99%
AS
212
32%
51%
84%
A2
142
44%
68%
99%
AS
212
27%
45%
80%
A2
118
46%
68%
97%
Exam Board OCR
Why choose Chemistry at Carmel?
Both the AS and the A2 results are outstanding with students achieving 61% A-C at AS, and
70% A*-C at A2. These results are significantly higher than the national average and much
greater than those of other local colleges. The Chemistry tutors are extremely committed to
ensuring that you will be given the help you need to achieve at your highest possible level.
All the tutors are very friendly and develop good relationships with students, so they will
support you fully and ensure that you are successful. Two members of the Chemistry team
are experienced OCR examiners, which is extremely valuable when helping to prepare you for
external examinations.
What will the course involve?
You will be given a comprehensive set of interactive notes, which provide a detailed coverage
of the course specification. The notes also include many practice questions that will allow you
to consolidate your understanding of the material being covered. Regular practical sessions will
help to develop your chemical techniques and laboratory skills, which will be invaluable for
future science related careers. These practical sessions are closely linked to the theory taught
in lessons as this proves an effective way of developing your grasp of the theoretical concepts
covered. Regular homework and end of topic tests are used to inform both you and your tutor
of your progress in the module.
How will I be assessed?
The A Level course is a linear course so assessment will take place at the end of the 2 year course.
This will consist of three exams based on six modules which will all be examined in May/June.
There is a practical element to the course and the students must complete certain practical tasks
over the two years to pass the course, but this is not examined.
The AS qualification is a one year stand-alone course. It follows similar material to the first year of
the A Level course but will not count towards the A Level qualification.
Where does this course lead?
As well as being an important subject in its own right, Chemistry is an essential requirement for
medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science. In the past our students have entered university
to follow many different courses - pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, analytical
chemistry, pure chemistry, forensic science, biological and environmental sciences, law,
engineering and business.
How successful are our Biology students?
Number of
Entries
AS/A Level Chemistry
Our
students
say...
I really enjoy studying at
Carmel because all of the
tutors are very friendly and
helpful. Carmel has given
me many opportunities to
develop a love of and an
interest in my subjects.
For example, in summer I went to
Oxford to study Chemistry for a week
at summer school, and I completed
a Nuffield research placement too.
My applications for both of these
excursions were helped greatly by
Carmel and in particular the Chemistry
department. I really enjoy Chemistry
because I find it both challenging and
interesting and the practicals are very
enjoyable too. The highlight of my
time here at Carmel has been writing
my EPQ; ‘Chemistry for Muggles’. I
was allowed to recreate a multitude of
spell effects from the Harry Potter film
series with the help of the Chemistry
department and my tutor. When I
leave Carmel I hope to study Biological
Natural Sciences at the University of
Cambridge.
How successful are our Chemistry students?
William Neal
De La Salle
Studying:
Biology, Chemistry, Critical Thinking,
Maths, Music
2011
2012
2013
2014
www.carmel.ac.uk
Number of
Entries
%A*-B
%A*-C
%A*-E
173
58%
76%
95%
A2
116
67%
85%
99%
AS
182
47%
71%
90%
A2
143
59%
76%
97%
AS
178
47%
73%
93%
A2
116
62%
79%
99%
AS
175
41%
61%
91%
A2
125
46%
70%
100%
AS
Jack Clough
St Gregory’s
Studying:
Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths,
Critical Thinking
Our
students
say...
BTEC Level 3
Applied Science
The transition from school
to college can be a daunting
one. You’re faced with the
challenge of your studies,
as well as new surroundings
and a new routine, but at
Carmel you’re not alone.
Why choose Applied Science at Carmel?
AS/A Level Physics
Exam Board AQA
Why choose Physics at Carmel?
The Physics department at Carmel is excellent and students taking Physics are highly successful.
All the tutors are very friendly and approachable and they have a wide range of experience to help
support you. This expertise ranges from careers guidance, through specialist subject knowledge,
to experience of examination marking. In fact two members of the department are experienced
examination markers and this expertise will help you to succeed at Carmel. A wide range of
support and guidance will be available outside of lessons, and tutors will happily give up their time
to help you to further your understanding.
What will the course involve?
In year 1 you will work towards the new AS specification and/or Paper 1 of the new A Level Physics
specification by studying the following 5 modules:
1 - Measurements and their errors
2 - Particles and radiation
3 - Waves
4 - Mechanics and materials
5 - Electricity
You will then have to decide if you are carrying onto the full A Level Physics or just sitting the AS –
in the latter case you will then have 2 exams on the 5 modules above at the end of the first year.
If you are carrying onto the full A Level, there are no exams at the end of the first year – instead
you will study:
6a – Periodic motion and prepare for internal exams to assess your progress.
In year 2 you will work towards Paper 2 of the new A Level Physics specification by studying the
following 3 modules:
6b - Thermal Physics
7 - Fields and their consequences
8 - Nuclear physics
And Paper 3 by perfecting your practical skills and studying the final module:
9 – Astrophysics
The staff are friendly and welcoming
and tutors are always available to give
you extra help and support. Carmel
provides you with the tools to rise to
the challenges brought by college and
acts as the gateway to new friends and
new experiences. Carmel allows you to
become more independent whilst still
offering the guidance needed to allow
you to fulfil your potential. Studying
Physics at Carmel has been both
challenging and rewarding. In class, you
are encouraged to think for yourself
and learn independently and in groups,
which are important skills to develop
in your preparation for university. I am
hoping to study medicine after leaving
Carmel and I believe that Physics has
helped me to develop a vital set of skills
needed for my next step.
At both AS and A Level, there are terminal exams to form your grade. At AS there are 2 written
papers of 1h 30mins each, the second of which has a multiple choice element. At A Level there are
3 written papers of 2 hours each, the first two of which have a multiple choice element. Also at
A Level you will have your practical work assessed throughout the course to form your practical
endorsement.
2012
2013
2014
%A*-C
%A*-E
AS
100
40%
61%
86%
A2
60
48%
65%
97%
AS
116
27%
47%
83%
A2
51
53%
73%
96%
AS
128
36%
52%
88%
A2
55
36%
53%
95%
What will the course involve?
In year 1 you will work towards the new Level 3 BTEC Certificate in Applied Science. This is
comprised of three units:
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Science
Unit 2: Working in the Science Industry
Unit 4: Scientific Practical Techniques
In year 2 you will extend your work towards the new Level 3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in
Applied Science with three further units:
Unit 11: Physiology of Human Body Systems
What I most enjoy about
Carmel is the people; they
are really friendly and will
go out of their way to help
you if they can.
I like studying BTEC Science because
each lesson is enjoyable and the
course itself is very interesting. Also
the teachers are really friendly and
approachable and are more than happy
to help you with your work; even if you
are unclear at first, they will explain
it until you understand. With BTEC
Science I went on a trip to Fiddlers
Ferry which was very useful and really
helped with one of the units we were
studying. When I leave I will be going
on to hopefully study nursing. I believe
that choosing BTEC Science was one of
the best choices I made as what I have
learnt will help me in the future with
my career choice but also gives me
more options if I change my mind.
Unit 22: Chemical Laboratory Techniques
Unit 17: Electrical Circuits and their Application
If you choose to study the Level 3 Diploma, equivalent to 2 A Levels, you will complete 12 units
in total over the 2 years.
Where does this course lead?
Amy Lowey
Liverpool College
BTEC Level 3 Applied Science will prepare you for a career in many science-based industries and
organisations. It will also support those who are interested in other careers for which science
is important such as Primary Teaching, Childcare, Nursing, Sports Management or Sports
Training. Many former science students have progressed to university to study a wide range of
subjects including Forensics, Construction, Animal Behaviour, Biochemistry, Physiotherapy and
Biomedical Sciences. Other students have chosen to follow Apprenticeships in Laboratory Work
or Engineering.
Studying:
Physics, Biology, Chemistry
How successful are our Applied Science students?
Where does this course lead?
%A*-B
Carmel College has a strong tradition of successful science teaching over many years.
Level 3 Applied Science is a very well structured, practical science course leading to nationally
recognised qualifications: Certificate equal to 1 AS Level; Subsidiary Diploma equal to 1 A Level;
Diploma equal to 2 A Levels.
The course covers all three sciences of Biology, Physics and Chemistry but in an “applied”
context. That means that you will learn the science in a “real life” context through specially
developed assignments. You will sometimes work on your own and sometimes in small groups.
We will teach you the research and study skills you will need for success. There will also be
opportunities to visit scientific workplaces to learn how science and scientific skills are used
professionally. Such visits will allow you to gain ideas about career opportunities in science. As
well as using ICT for presenting your work, you will also be encouraged to use it for research and
for monitoring and recording experimental work.
You will benefit from extensive support and guidance throughout your time on the course both
during lessons and through the college tutorial system. We pride ourselves on taking a personal
interest in your success.
All units are 100% assignment based, with no formal examinations. Clear objective criteria are
used to assess competency in all the key science areas and you will be able to see how your
achievements build up as the course proceeds. There will be plenty of opportunity to show
progress.
How will I be assessed?
Number of
Entries
Exam Board PEARSON EDEXCEL
How will I be assessed?
At the end of this year you will sit 3 written papers to form your grade and will have completed 12
practical assessments to pass your practical endorsement.
Physics is a fascinating subject to study at higher level and Physics graduates are in demand
because of their intelligence, analytical skills and proven ability to solve problems. Physics is an
essential requirement for a number of careers and in the past our students have entered a broad
range of areas including medicine, engineering, architecture, computer science as well as physics.
Our
students
say...
www.carmel.ac.uk
(Distinction* = grade A*, Distinction = grade A at A Level)
Number of
Entries
Distinction*/
Distinction
Distinction*/
Merit
Distinction*/
Pass
2012
Subsidiary
Diploma
42
52.4%
67%
100%
2013
Subsidiary
Diploma
41
56%
85%
100%
2014
Subsidiary
Diploma
34
82%
97%
100%
Jamie Meadows
St Julie’s
Studying:
BTEC Science Dual Award, PE
Biology Enrichment
Chemistry Enrichment
Fieldwork in The Gambia
Each March, a team of three AS Chemistry students take part in the Merseyside Young
Analyst competition. They spend the day in the Liverpool university laboratories carrying out
chemical analysis and doing calculations as a team with the winning answer being the closest to
the standard.
Summer 2014 saw 22 Biology students and 4 members of staff spend a week in The
Gambia! Working with a charity, the students visited a school in Kuloro where they painted
the classrooms inside and out and worked with the children there. During their stay, the
village women also taught the students some traditional dances and cooked lunch for
them as they sat under a mango tree.
Each year, AS students take part in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, which is a 90
minute exam. A2 students compete in the annual Royal Society of Chemistry’s Olympiad
competition which involves a challenging 2 hour written test of chemical knowledge. Team
Carmel were awarded five silver certificates in 2014.
They took a couple of trips out to see a bit more of The Gambia, visiting a local market
and a fishing village as well as taking the Roots River Cruise to the Slavery Museum. The
students also visited Fort James Island where the slaves were kept before they left for
America.
In June 2013, 25 students attended science and engineering masterclasses at the University
of Liverpool. The sessions were in the new Central Teaching Laboratories and the students
thoroughly enjoyed using the state of the art facilities across all the sciences.
Carmel College also hit the headlines when a journalist came to take pictures of the
students handing over their gifts to local school children. On their last night, the students
had dinner by the ocean at Paradise Beach Bar and to finish off, they were treated to a
Gambian drumming lesson sitting on a roof top terrace in the dark - 22 students beating
22 drums and learning Gambian rhythms. Magic!!
Physics Enrichment
Physics trip to London
Physics students enjoyed a short break in London spending most of their first day
at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The group enjoyed the shows about stars and galaxies in
the fully immersive dome of the Peter Harrison Planetarium. In the afternoon they took part in
a Studying Starlight workshop learning how to identify the elements a star is made of through
spectroscopic analysis. Students also had the opportunity to explore the space galleries, stand
on the Meridian Line, and view London through The Camera Obscura.
Enriching Experiences
Day two started with a visit to King’s College London listening to a lecture on Dark Matter and
Dark Energy. The students learnt about some of the research from the Large Hadron Collider at
CERN and the search for the Higgs Boson. They also observed several experiments conducted
by PhD students including one where electron diffraction was used to identify fake paintings of
great works of art.
Biology trip to Chester Zoo
On a gloriously sunny day, 96 U6th Biology
students and 5 staff spent the day at Chester
Zoo. The main purpose of the trip was to hear
the zoo education staff give a presentation
about Animal Behaviour as the students will
be examined on this in their final exam in June.
During the lecture the students were
able to see and touch Madagascan hissing
cockroaches and do activities relating to the
evolution of human intelligence. After the
lecture, the group were free to wander round
the zoo, see all the animals and enjoy an ice
cream in the lovely weather!
Physics trip to London
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the Tutors
BIOLOGY
Ruth Carey
Head of Department
Carmen Nunez
Eve McQueen
Andrea Stiles
Gemma Palmieri
Kim Nolan
What is the Science Faculty like?
Science students study in the recently built West Park building which provides a modern and
spacious, state-of-the-art learning environment. The facilities for Science are outstanding with
nine very well equipped laboratories, two computer suites and four tutorial bases. The majority of
the laboratories “belong” to a single department and you will therefore generally attend the same
room throughout the week for your lessons. All rooms are equipped with interactive white boards,
multi-media projectors and wireless internet connection enabling internet research to be done in
the laboratories.
What support will I receive in the Science Faculty?
Gill Townsend
Head of Department
Tutors within science will “go the extra mile” to ensure that you will succeed. Individual and small
group support sessions are timetabled in the science tutorial base. In addition tutors will make
themselves available should you feel that individual help is required. Revision skills tutorials are
provided to help you to develop the techniques that you will need to succeed both at A Level and
in Higher Education.
Shaun Charles
Jim Ashbrook
Graham Marshall
Robert Jones
Tutors have regular contact with your parents and will keep them informed regarding your
progress. Enrichment sessions will be provided to extend even the most able, including
preparation for the BMAT exams and competitions such as the Physics and Chemistry Olympiads
and AS National Competition.
PHYSICS
At Carmel we provide students with many opportunities to become involved with external
activities. These range from involvement in the Nuffield Bursary Scheme and vocational work
placements, to competitions such as the Physics and Chemistry Olympiads. All the departments
regularly undertake trips and destinations include Daresbury Atomic Laboratories, Fiddlers Ferry
Power Station, Chester Zoo and London. There are also opportunities for overseas visits which
have included Biology trips to the Azores, Holland, Costa Rica and the USA, plus a science trip to
CERN in Geneva.
CHEMISTRY
Edward Swann
Head of Department
Charlie Burton
Mala Sandhu
David Seddon
Jamie Bickley
BTEC SCIENCE
Jim Ashbrook
Head of Department
Rachel Dickinson
Daryl Doyle
Jamie Bickley
TECHNICAL SUPPORT STAFF:
Paul Whorton
Lynn Parr
Mark Kelly
Carmel College
Prescot Road
St Helens
Merseyside
WA10 3AG
www.carmel.ac.uk
What other activities do Science students get involved in?
We have strong links with all the local universities and so use their expertise whenever possible,
for example, the Chemistry department uses the spectroscopy equipment in both Manchester
and Liverpool Universities.
What are the entry requirements for these
AS Science courses?
Biology:
You will need grade B in GCSE Biology or BB
in Core & Additional Science (not Applied)
plus grade Cs in GCSE Maths and English
Language.
Physics:
You will need grade B in GCSE Physics or
BB in two academic GCSE Sciences (not
Applied) plus grade B in GCSE Maths and
grade C in GCSE English Language.
Chemistry:
You will need grade B in GCSE Chemistry
or BB in Core & Additional Science (not
Applied) plus grade Cs in GCSE Maths and
English Language.
BTEC Level 3 Applied Science:
You will need grade Cs (or equivalent) in
GCSE Maths, English and Science.
More Information
The specification for Chemistry can be obtained from: www.ocr.org.uk
The specification for BTEC Science can be obtained from: www.edexcel.com
The specifications for Biology and Physics can be obtained from: www.aqa.org.uk