1. Harrogate High School
BTEC Level 3 National Award
in Applied Science
Unit 1 Fundamentals of Science
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1. Be able to use the necessary skills to measure quantities for chemical reactions
2. Be able to use the correct equipment to identify structures and functions in different
types of cells
3. Be able to investigate different types of energy and their transfers
4. Be able to communicate scientific information.
Unit 1 Brief
This unit is split into 4 assignments. For each assignment you will be given a job that involves
Science and you will be asked to complete a task that is typical of this job.
You will be given a detailed list of what to include when completing the tasks and these are linked
to the relevant part of the assessment criteria.
The 4 assignments will be
1. Volumetric analysis made easy (P1, P2, M1, D1)
2. Training for work (P3, P4, P5, M2, D2)
3. Energy for all (P6, P7, M3, D3)
4. Communicating Scientific Information (P8, P9, M4, D4)
Use the following grid to track your progress by filling in the date achieved
PASS MERIT DISTINCTION
Volumetric analysis
made easy
P1a, b, c P2a, b M1a, b D1
Training for work P3 P4 P5 M2 D2
Energy for all P6 P7 M3 D3
Communicating
Scientific
Information
P8 P9 M4 D4
BTEC Level 3 National Award in Applied Science Unit 1: Fundamentals of Science

2. Harrogate High School
Assignment 1 – Volumetric Analysis Made Easy
Job – You are working as a scientist for ‘Edvisprog’ – a company producing visual aids for use in
schools
Task – You have been given the job of producing a portfolio of scientific information to be passed
to the graphic designer for the preparation of a web-based programme to help the teaching and
understanding of the use of titrations. Your portfolio needs to contain the following content
• A fully labelled periodic table 1.P1a
• electronic structure of atoms 1.P1b
• diagrams showing ionic and covalent bonding 1.P1c
• photographs and completed observation sheet showing how to prepare standard solutions
1.P2a
• How to test the accuracy of a standard solution by titration with calculations, balanced
chemical equations and observation sheet 1.P2b
• Draw conclusions for your practical work ensuring your calculations are accurate and that
any anomalous results are accounted for 1.M1a
• Include a risk assessment 1.M1b
• Relate your practical work in the laboratory to industrial applications commenting on how
procedures and equipment may differ in industry 1.D1a
Grading criteria
P1 – outline the key features of the periodic table, atomic structure and chemical bonding
P2 – demonstrate practically the ability to prepare chemical solutions and test their
accuracy
M1 - relate the key features of the periodic table to the conclusions drawn from the practical
activities
D1 – explain how standard solutions and titrations are prepared in industry
Handout date: Thurs 2nd
September 2010
Deadline: Thurs 21st
October 2010
Assessor: Mr Lewis
Assignment
Written by H Towse 5/7/2010
I.V. S.Lewis
Ammendments H Towse
BTEC Level 3 National Award in Applied Science Unit 1: Fundamentals of Science

3. Harrogate High School
Assignment 2 – Training for Work (P3, P4, P5, M2, D2)
Job: You are newly employed in a cytology department within the NHS.
Task: To be able to complete a test sheet to show your ability to fulfil your new role
• the use of a light microscope in accordance with good practice to draw
and label samples of tissue types 1.P3
• the use electron of micrographs to identify features of different tissue
types including epithelial; connective; nerve & muscular 1.P4
• producing a short description of the structures and functions of cell
components including cell organelles cell membrane; cell wall; nucleus;
nucleolus; cytoplasm; mitochondria; ribosome; endoplasmic reticulum
(smooth and rough); Golgi body; lysosome; vesicles in both eukaryotic and
prokaryotic cells. 1.P5
• explain cell differentiation and its importance in the formation of tissue
types 1.M2a
• identify different types of tissues from their observations of electron
micrographs 1.M2b
• Explain how the presence of certain numbers of cell components
influences the function of tissues. For example, consideration of the effect
a large number of mitochondria in a tissue may have on its function.
Different tissue types should be considered 1.M2c
• Compare different tissues, in terms of their structure, that have similar
functions. For example, learners could compare cardiac and skeletal
muscle, or endocrine and exocrine glands, or two sense organs/receptors,
clearly describing the differences between the tissues and explaining how
both tissue types perform similar functions. 1.D2
Parts to be completed:
Pass 1.P3
1.P4
1.P5
Merit 1.M2a, b, c
Distinction 1.D2
Grading criteria
P3 record accurately observations of different types of tissues from a light microscope
P4 interpret electron micrographs of different types of tissues
P5 describe the key structures and functions of a eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
M2 explain how the relative presence of different cell components influences the function of
tissues
D2 compare different tissues with similar functions in terms of their structure and functions
BTEC Level 3 National Award in Applied Science Unit 1: Fundamentals of Science

4. Harrogate High School
Handout date: Friday 3rd
September 2010
Deadline: Friday 22nd
October 2010
Assessor: Mrs Towse
BTEC Level 3 National Award in Applied Science Unit 1: Fundamentals of Science

5. Harrogate High School
Assignment 3 – Energy for All (P6, P7, M3, D3)
Job: You are working for an energy company and asked to investigate different types of energy
and their conversions.
Task: To produce a portfolio which records the results of research carried out and practical
investigations.
This must include
• Types of energy: mechanical (kinetic and potential); chemical;
thermal; electrical 1.P6a
• Practical investigations or worked examples of
energy transfer including metabolism, potential to kinetic, generation
of electrical energy; thermal energy from fuels; nuclear energy to electrical
energy 1.P6b
• A practical investigation into the calorific value of different types of alcohol. 1.P7
• Use appropriate practical methods to show energy interconversions to
demonstrate and explain energy conversion systems including risk assessments.
Your tutor will complete an observation form of the practical investigations you
complete. 1.M3
• An evaluation of the efficiencies of the energy conversion systems in the practical
investigations completed for M3. Each energy conversion system investigated
should be individually evaluated with appropriate vocational examples of their
applications in industry. 1.D3
Grading criteria
P6 describe different types of energy transfer
P7 carry out a practical investigation into the calorific value of different fuels
M3 carry out a practical demonstration of a range of energy interconversions with appropriate
explanations of the systems investigated
D3 evaluate the efficiencies of energy conversion systems
Handout date: Thursday 4th
November 2010
Deadline: Thursday 19th
November 2010
Assessor: Mr Lewis
BTEC Level 3 National Award in Applied Science Unit 1: Fundamentals of Science

6. Harrogate High School
Assignment 4 – Communicating Scientific Information (P8, P9, M4, D4)
Job: You have applied for a job as a Scientific Information Officer for a company and asked to
provide information which demonstrates understanding and ability to carry out the job.
Task: For your interview you have been asked to prepare a presentation to outline the various
methods used to communicate scientific information and in order to access the higher paid
position a full written report of a scientific investigation into the calorific value of different
types of alcohol carried out in assignment 3 and a subsequent comparison with a report
from a professional journal.
• Your presentation should include an outline of how scientific information can be
communicated e.g. a scientific report; scientific posters; presentations describing
use of terminology and suitability for different target audiences 1.P8
• Your report needs to include the headings title; abstract; introduction; method;
results; accuracy; discussion; conclusions; references; bibliography. The report
should be an accurate account of how the investigation was carried out and
should include correctly labelled diagrams, graphs, tables etc 1.P9
• Ensure that your report is detailed correctly structured and well presented 1.M4
• You can then compare and contrast your report to a similar report you have
located in a professional journal.1.D4
Grading criteria
P8 outline the methods by which scientific information is communicated
P9 report on a scientific investigation that has been carried out.
M4 produce a detailed, correctly structured report which demonstrates a high level of
presentation.
D4 compare and contrast the report with a similar report from a professional journal.
Handout date: Friday 20th
November 2010
Deadline: Friday 17th
December 2010
Assessor: Mrs Towse
BTEC Level 3 National Award in Applied Science Unit 1: Fundamentals of Science

7. Harrogate High School
Assignment 4 – Communicating Scientific Information (P8, P9, M4, D4)
Job: You have applied for a job as a Scientific Information Officer for a company and asked to
provide information which demonstrates understanding and ability to carry out the job.
Task: For your interview you have been asked to prepare a presentation to outline the various
methods used to communicate scientific information and in order to access the higher paid
position a full written report of a scientific investigation into the calorific value of different
types of alcohol carried out in assignment 3 and a subsequent comparison with a report
from a professional journal.
• Your presentation should include an outline of how scientific information can be
communicated e.g. a scientific report; scientific posters; presentations describing
use of terminology and suitability for different target audiences 1.P8
• Your report needs to include the headings title; abstract; introduction; method;
results; accuracy; discussion; conclusions; references; bibliography. The report
should be an accurate account of how the investigation was carried out and
should include correctly labelled diagrams, graphs, tables etc 1.P9
• Ensure that your report is detailed correctly structured and well presented 1.M4
• You can then compare and contrast your report to a similar report you have
located in a professional journal.1.D4
Grading criteria
P8 outline the methods by which scientific information is communicated
P9 report on a scientific investigation that has been carried out.
M4 produce a detailed, correctly structured report which demonstrates a high level of
presentation.
D4 compare and contrast the report with a similar report from a professional journal.
Handout date: Friday 20th
November 2010
Deadline: Friday 17th
December 2010
Assessor: Mrs Towse
BTEC Level 3 National Award in Applied Science Unit 1: Fundamentals of Science