Junior Cycle Science

The course in Junior Certificate science has been drawn up to cater for the full range of student ability, aptitude and achievement.

It has three major components, biology, chemistry and physics, and is concerned with the development of scientific knowledge, skills, concepts, and attitudes essential for the responsibilities of citizenship in today's world.

The course is activity-based and emphasises practical experience of science for each individual student. Through a variety of investigations and experiments, students attain the specified learning outcomes, developing appropriate science process skills and a knowledge of underlying science concepts.

The course is concerned with the development of scientific literacy and associated science process skills, together with an appreciation of the impact that science has on our lives and environment. In an era of rapid scientific and technological change the study of science is fundamental to the development of the confidence required to deal with the opportunities and challenges that such change presents in a wide variety of personal and social contexts.

Arising out of their experience in the junior cycle, it is hoped that many students will be encouraged to study one or more of the science subjects in the senior cycle, thus preparing themselves for further study or work in this area .In Castleblayney College all these subjects, Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics are offered at Higher and Ordinary level.

Assessment

Junior Certificate Science will be assessed at two levels, Higher and Ordinary. At each level, assessment will be by means of a terminal examination paper and coursework. The assessment arrangements are illustrated below.

Coursework A: Experiments and investigations specified in the syllabus Marks: 10%
Students must complete the mandatory experiments and investigations specified in the syllabus. Over the three years of the course each student is also required to maintain a laboratory notebook, in which a record of these experiments and investigations is kept according to specified criteria. This record must be available for inspection. As part of the assessment, marks will be awarded on a pro rata basis for the satisfactory completion of this required coursework.

Coursework B: Additional specified investigations or one investigation of the student’s own choice Marks: 25%.
Each student will be required to undertake two specified investigations in the third year and to submit a pro forma report on these for assessment. These additional investigations will be set by the examining body and will vary from year to year. Instead of the set investigations, students may substitute an investigation of their own choice that meets required criteria.

Terminal examination: Section 1: Biology Section 2: Chemistry Section 3: Physics Marks: 65%
There will be separate Ordinary level and Higher level examination papers. At each level the examination paper will consist of three sections. These will assess students’ knowledge and skills in the areas of biology, chemistry and physics.

To find out more information about this subject please click on the following link which will bring you to the guidelines on this subject: 

Junior Cycle Science