The Piggott School: Sixth Form Information
BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Science
Exam Board: Edexcel
Minimum GCSE entry requirements: Double Science CC
Aims of the course
BTEC Nationals are QCF Level 3 qualifications designed to provide highly specialist workrelated qualifications in a range of vocational sectors. They give learners the knowledge,
understanding and skills that they need to prepare for employment. Moreover, they
provide opportunities for science employees to achieve a nationally recognised Level 3
vocationally-specific qualification. The BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Science
attracts UCAS points that equate to similar-sized general qualifications within education
institutions within the UK.
The course aims to stimulate and sustain students’ interest in, and enjoyment of Science.
Students develop skills in laboratory techniques and learn to foster imagination and critical
thinking through practical investigation. It provides a secure foundation for those who wish
to progress on to a range of higher education courses as well as forming part of a broad
approach to lifelong learning.
How the course is structured
The Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Science is a 60-credit and 360guided-learning hour qualification that consists of 3 mandatory units plus optional units that
provide for a combined total of 60 credits (where at least 45 credits must be at Level 3 or
above)
Which Units will I be studying?
Mandatory units
1 Fundamentals of Science (10 credits)
2 Working in the Science Industry (10 credits)
4 Scientific Practical Techniques (10 credits)
Optional units
5 Perceptions of Science (10 credits)
6 Using Mathematical Tools in Science (5 credits)
7 Mathematical Calculations for Science (5 credits)
8 Using Statistics in Science (5 credits)
9 Informatics in Science (5 credits)
10 Using Science in the Workplace (10 credits)
11 Physiology of Human Body Systems (10 credits)
12 Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction (10 credits)
13 Biochemistry and Biochemical Techniques (10 credits)
14 Energy Changes, Sources and Applications (10 credits)
15 Microbiological Techniques (10 credits)
16 Chemistry for Biology Technicians (10 credits)
17 Electrical Circuits and their Applications (10 credits)
18 Genetics and Genetic Engineering (10 credits)
19 Practical Chemical Analysis (10 credits)
20 Medical Physics Techniques (10 credits)
22 Chemical Laboratory Techniques (10 credits)
23 Science for Environmental Technicians (10 credits)
24 Principles of Plant and Soil Science (10 credits)
26 Industrial Chemical Reactions (10 credits)
27 Chemical Periodicity and Its Applications (10 credits)
28 Industrial Applications of Organic Chemistry (10 credits)
42 Geology of Natural Resources (10 credits)
44 Astronomy (10 credits)
How the course assessed?
In BTEC Nationals all units are internally assessed. All assessment is criterion referenced,
based on the achievement of specified learning outcomes. Each unit within the qualification
has specified assessment and grading criteria which are to be used for grading purposes. A
summative unit grade can be awarded at pass, merit or distinction: to achieve a ‘pass’ a
learner must have satisfied all the pass assessment criteria, to achieve a ‘merit’ a learner
must additionally have satisfied all the merit grading criteria, to achieve a ‘distinction’ a
learner must additionally have satisfied all the distinction grading criteria. Learners who
complete the unit but who do not meet all the pass criteria are graded ‘unclassified’.