General
OCR National Award in Science Level 2
Taking a broad approach to Science, OCR nationals enable students to develop workplace skills without having to choose between Physics, Chemistry or Biology. Challenging yet attainable, these qualifications are designed to meet the needs and expectations of employers.
Students who take the OCR National Award in Science will achieve a qualification of the same size and level as 2 GCSEs (A-C).
Units
Students must complete 3 units in order to gain this qualification:
Unit 1 - Best Practise in Science
This unit is designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to scientific research. They learn how to prepare laboratory materials and equipment, and to follow standard procedures safely. They carry out sampling and testing operations, and gain an understanding of the importance of working in aseptic or clean room conditions.
Unit 2 - Materials Science
Here students cover the key principles of identifying and testing materials to ensure they're fit for purpose. They gain an understanding of the structure and properties of different materials, and discover how scientific theories and models can predict their development and use. Students also learn how materials are obtained and manufactured, and look at ways of testing their physical properties and usability.
Unit 11 - The Science of the Universe and Humanity
This unit introduces deeper scientific questions, such as origins of the universe and the evolution of human beings, with specific topics including the solar system and the composition of the Earth's surface.