High School Curriculum: Science
Science
Aims and philosophy
The Science Department's main objective is the creation of extremely skilled students
who can explore, assess and synthesize scientific information. The Science Department
encompasses the three main science disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
Biology is the study of living organisms and as such, is one of the broadest subjects
in science. It ranges in scale from the molecular, through the cellular and the
whole organism, to the ecosystem and biosphere. Biological knowledge is increasing
at an unprecedented rate and is more important than ever in today's world. That
is why the aim of the Biology department is to intensify awareness, improve students'
self-image of and understanding of the applications of biology in daily living.
Chemistry is the study of the nature, properties, and composition of matter, and
how these undergo changes. The Chemistry department aims to offer a meticulous and
practical education that will contribute to the student's understanding of chemistry's
place within the sciences and in today's industrial and business world. Since plants
and animals are factual chemical industrial units driven by chemical reactions,
chemistry is a prerequisite for the study of medicine, pharmacology and other related
degrees.
Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences as it seeks to explain
the universe itself, from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between
galaxies. The aim of the Physics department is to help students develop an understanding
of the fundamental laws and behavior of the physical universe. Physics courses can
prepare a student for careers such as secondary school teaching, industrial work,
engineering, or many other jobs that require technical problem-solving skills.
Curriculum by year-group
Grades 7 – 9:
The science program in grades 7-9 is concerned with the development of the skills
necessary to work in a scientific environment including the safe handling of materials,
experimental techniques, observation and recording of experimental results, and
drawing of conclusions. In grades 7 and 8, students follow a general science programme
which is modular in nature with topics taken from Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
In grade 9 they are exposed to the three separate sciences and are taught by three
subject specialists. Chemistry topics introduced include air and water, hydrogen,
metals, acids and alkalis, states of matter, the periodic table, as well as elements
and compounds. Some biology topics introduced are man and the environment, living
things and classification, human and plant reproduction, basic genetics, and cellular
structure. The students are introduced to physics topics such as energy, magnets
and magnetic fields, electricity, forces and motion, speed and velocity, and density
and pressure.
Grade 7-9 students conduct research to learn more about important topics such as
pollution, fuel, water, scientists, cloning, infectious diseases and many other
subjects. These are then presented in a variety of ways designed to improve communication
skills such as posters, oral class presentations and power point presentations.
Grades 10 -11: Edexcel IGCSE double award Coordinated Sciences
(4437)
All EIS-J students are required to take Edexcel IGCSE double award Coordinated Sciences.
This course provides a broad, balanced science background while maintaining the
identity of the three separate sciences. It is designed to be an interesting and
inspiring modern specification, suitable both for those who do not intend to study
science further and for those who intend to study science courses at a higher level
such as IBDP high level courses or further studies at university. The course is
offered at either Foundation tier or Higher tier. Students are required to demonstrate
specified content knowledge in the three sciences and to demonstrate critical understanding
and application. In addition, candidates will be assessed on investigative skills
through written assessment.
In the chemistry component of the syllabus there are five areas of content: principles
of chemistry, chemistry of the elements, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and
chemistry in society. In biology there are also five areas of content including
the nature and variety of living organisms, structures and functions in living organisms,
reproduction and inheritance, ecology and the environment, use of biological resources. For physics, students will be required to demonstrate specified knowledge and critical
understanding of forces and motion, electricity, waves, energy resources and energy
transfer, solids, liquids and gases, magnetism and electromagnetism, radioactivity
and particles.
Grades 12-13: Experimental Sciences- IBDP Biology, IBDP Chemistry
IBDP Physics
All students undertaking the IB Diploma Programme are required to study at least
one subject from the Experimental Sciences. At EIS-J, IBDP Biology, Chemistry and
Physics are offered at both higher level (HL) and standard level (SL) and therefore
accommodate students who wish to study science in higher education and those who
do not.
The IBDP chemistry course includes the essential principles of the subject but also,
through selection of options, allows teachers to tailor the course to meet the needs
of their students. As with all IBDP experimental sciences, there is an internal
assessment component which allows students to develop practical investigative skills
and techniques.
The IBDP physics course allows students to develop traditional practical skills
and increase facility in the use of mathematics which is the language of physics.
Alongside the growth in our understanding of the natural world, perhaps the more
obvious and relevant result of physics to most students is the technological side
of physics in which physical principles have been applied to construct and alter
the material world to suit our needs and has had a profound influence on our daily
lives.
Biologists have accumulated huge amounts of information about living organisms and
it would be easy to confuse students by teaching large numbers of seemingly unrelated
facts. In IBDP biology, it is hoped that students will acquire a limited body of
facts and at the same time develop a broad, general understanding of the principles
and concepts of the subject.
As part of the IBDP science curriculum all students must complete 10 hours of collaborative
experimental work known as the Group 4 Project. The science department carries out
this task every year with students who are in their first year of the IBDP course.
Outside the classroom
Opportunities for trips to industrial locations and museums may be carried out by
the Science Department to reinforce topics discussed in class. A local ecological
field trip for IBDP Biology students is undertaken to provide students with first
hand experience in using tools and techniques employed in ecological field investigations.
Further information is available from:
Head of Department, Ms. Dania Tabbara
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 272 or Email:
dtabbara@eischools.ae)
Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Mr. David Hicks
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 290 or Email:
dhicks@eischools.ae)