Science
Key Stage 3
The Science Department follows an adapted version of the National Curriculum of England which allows for independent study, enquiry and investigative work. A strong emphasis is placed on the key skills of Literacy, Numeracy and ICT including graphical, descriptive, persuasive writing, explanation and creative tasks.
Science is a compulsory subject at Key Stage 3, and is taught for four lessons per week in mixed ability form groups in Year 7, and differentiated classes/sets in Year 8 onwards. The section on curriculum overview shows the topics that students will cover.
In Year 7 Biology students study cells and tissues, classification, keys, variation, genetics, human reproduction, habitats and food chains. In Chemistry they investigate solids, liquids and gases, atoms and elements, naming compounds, properties of metals, physical changes, chemical change and reactions. The Physics topics they study are energy and fuels, force and motion, electrical circuits, and the solar system.
In Year 8 Biology students study food and digestion, ecological relationships, respiration, micro-organisms and disease. In Chemistry they investigate chemical changes, acids and bases and a range of different reactions. The Physics topics they study are energy transfers, magnetism, light, sound and music.
Key Stage 4
Biology
All students study Biology in Years 9 to 11. During the three-year course, students study fifteen lesson units in rotation with Physics and Chemistry. In Year 9 there are four science lessons taught per week, and in Years 10 and 11, five. The syllabus followed is the Cambridge IGCSE course (0610).
The Biology IGCSE course is taught with an emphasis on investigation. The curriculum spirals through the three years with students visiting each main theme each year; with a more in depth approach being taken in Years 10 and 11.
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Year 9 Characteristics of living organisms; cell structure; classification; enzymes; nutrition; plant nutrition animal nutrition; transport in plants; transport in animals; respiration; excretion; coordination Reproduction; inheritance; energy flow; population; human influences Year 10 Characteristics of living organisms; cell structure; classification; enzymes; nutrition; plant nutrition Animal nutrition; transport in plants; transport in animals; respiration; excretion; coordination Reproduction; inheritance; energy flow; population; human influences Year 11 Review of the 17 course modules Revision Exams
Assessment is ongoing and takes a variety of forms including peer, self and teacher assessment. Students receive two homeworks per week; one of which is normally review. Students also receive exam question homework which is marked according to exam marking guidelines and compared with grade boundaries. At the end of each topic students receive a test, taken under exam conditions. The GCSE examination consists of three papers, sat at the end of Year 11. There is no coursework component as students sit a written practical paper instead.
Chemistry At The British School Manila Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) is studied in Years 9 to 11. The Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry course has a focus on the way raw materials are utilised to provide finished products. There is an emphasis on the periodic classification of elements and the way structure and bonding affects properties. The course includes an introduction to organic chemistry and considers different types of chemical reactions. The aims of the syllabus are the same for all students. These are to:
The final assessment consists of three papers:
The syllabus consists of fourteen topics that are taught at the following times during the course:
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Year 9 The particulate nature of matter, Experimental techniques, Atoms, elements and compounds. Bonding: the structure of matter. Chemical changes. Chemical reactions. The periodic table. Year 10 Stoichiometry Electricity and chemistry Acids, bases and salts.metals Air and Water, Sulfur, carbonates. Year 11 Organic chemistry Organic chemistry Revision
Assessment is ongoing and takes a variety of forms including peer, self and teacher assessment. Students receive two homework per week which is comment marked to allow students to gain a higher standard. Students also receive exam question homework which is marked according to exam marking guidelines. Grade equivalents are given to each student. At the end of each topic students receive a test, taken under exam conditions. The GCSE examination consists of three papers, sat at the end of Year 11. There is no coursework component.
Physics
The Physics IGCSE at The British School Manila is taught with an emphasis on investigation. Topics are related to everyday situations to make them relevant to students and to
During the three years, the topics are taught as below:
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Year 9 Density Forces and motion Moments Pressure (solids) Pressure (liquids and gasses) Kinetic theory Heat transfer Types of energy Energy changes Energy resources Year 10 Waves Light and sound Circuit electricity Basic electronics Year 11 Further electronics Atomic and nuclear physics Revision Exams Assessment is ongoing and takes a variety of forms including peer, self and teacher assessment. Students receive two homework per week which is comment marked to allow students to gain a higher standard. Students also receive exam question homework which is marked according to exam marking guidelines. Grade equivalents are given to each student. At the end of each topic students receive a test, taken under exam conditions.
Students study seventeen topics. They are provided with an interactive electronic text which has been written by BSM teachers.
During the three years, the topics are taught as below:
Students cover five major topic areas which cover the effects of forces, energy, atomic and nuclear physics, waves and electricity (including digital electronics). During the course the students are taught practical techniques which allow them to investigate the topics they are studying. These techniques are tested as part of the terminal examination.
The GCSE examination consists of three papers, taken at the end of Year 11. There is no coursework component.
IB
BIOLOGY
The main focus of the IBDP Biology course is to develop a broad, general understanding of the main concepts of the subject, which are:
- Universality versus diversity: Some processes, structures and biological molecules are ubiquitous. However, these universal features exist in a biological world of enormous diversity. Species exist in a range of habitats and show ada
- Equilibrium within systems: Checks and balances exist both within living organisms and within ecosystems. A state of dynamic equilibrium is essential for the continuity of life,
- The concept of evolution draws together the other main concepts. It can be regarded as change leading to diversity within constraints and leading to ada
These four concepts serve as themes that unify the various topics in the course. The core topics are followed by both Standard and Higher Level students and are statistical analysis in Biology; cells; the chemistry of life; genetics; ecology and evolution and human health and physiology. Higher Level students also study nucleic acids and proteins, cell respiration and photosynthesis, plant science, further genetics, and further human health and physiology.
Two option modules are also studied; currently evolution and neurobiology and behaviour are taught.
Assessment is in the form of:
| Unit tests | 50% |
| Cooperative and individual learning | 24% |
| Practical investigations |
36% |
External assessment consists of three papers (one multiple choice and two structured) which together make up 76% of the final mark. Practical investigations contribute 24% to the final mark.
Physics
The Physics IB course presents a modern and international perspective of Physics. As well as being stimulating and enjoyable it provides students with an understanding of facts and techniques which they will find invaluable when going on to study a Science, or indeed any other degree.
During the course students study atomic and nuclear physics, electricity and magnetism, waves, thermal physics, energy and the environment and mechanics. Candidates also study two optional subjects, currently astrophysics, then relativity and quantum physics. Higher Level students study broadly the same subject areas but in greater detail.
Each topic is studied separately, but there are certain fundamental principles and techniques of practical measurement and analysis which bridge the whole subject. Experimentation is an important part of the course, with investigations taking some 30 hours at Standard Level, and 50 at Higher Level.
|
|
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
|
Year 12 |
Physics and physical measurement. Mechanics (SL and HL) Thermal physics (SL and HL) |
Oscillations and waves (SL and HL) Electric currents (SL and HL) |
Fields and forces (SL and HL) Motion in fields (HL) Atomic and nuclear physics (SL and HL) |
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Year 13 |
Wave phenomena (HL) Astrophysics (SL and HL) Quantum physics and relativity (SL and HL) |
Coursework Revision Mock examinations |
Exams |
Assessment
Internal assessment is in the form of:
|
25% |
|
20% |
|
5% |
|
15% |
|
35% |
Internal /external assessments are based on experimental work. This will take approximately 25% of a student's time and will be evaluated using a set of standards devised by the IB. The mark makes up 24% of the final assessment.
External assessment in the form of the IB external examinations will be at the end of the course. The exam consists of three papers (one multiple choice and two structured) which together make up 76% of the final mark.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the central science which can be taken as an IB option at either SL or HL with either Biology or Physics.
As such, Chemistry underpins both physical and biological principles which lead to a greater understanding in both of the other sciences. The Chemistry course also allows for a greater stress on Biology or Physics through its options which at times enrich and enhance the content of both.
As an experimental science approximately a quarter of the course is taken up by practical and investigational work which allow students to see at first hand the theoretical side being put into practice.
The study of Chemistry is almost certainly essential for some university courses especially those involving medicine and biological sciences.
The course is designed so that students with limited previous knowledge of Chemistry should be able to successfully complete the course.
The aims of the course are to:
The syllabus consists of eleven topics that are studied at Standard Level and a further nine topics that are studied at Higher Level.
The topics are:
Standard Level:
Topic 1: Quantitative chemistry
Topic 2: Atomic structure
Topic 3: Periodicity
Topic 4: Bonding
Topic 5: Energetics
Topic 6: Kinetics5
Topic 7: Equilibrium
Topic 8: Acids and bases
Topic 9: Oxidation and reduction
Topic 10: Organic chemistry
Topic 11: Measurement and data processing
Higher Level:
Topic 12: Atomic structure
Topic 13: Periodicity
Topic 14: Bonding
Topic 15: Energetics
Topic 16: Kinetics
Topic 17: Equilibrium
Topic 18: Acids and bases
Topic 19: Oxidation and reduction
Topic 20: Organic chemistry
The two options that are studied are taken from the following:
Option D: Medicines and drugs,
Option E: Environmental chemistry,
Option F: Food chemistry,
Option G: Further organic chemistry.
The final assessment consists of three papers:
The remaining 24% of the marks are awarded for the internal assessment that are internally assessed and externally moderated.