The Mico University College

Department of Natural Sciences

PROGRAMME: B.Ed. (Science Education)

SPECIALISATION: Biology/Chemistry/Physics
COURSE TITLE: Advanced Integrated Science
COURSE CODE: NISC 3101
NO. OF CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITE: None

RATIONALE:

As teachers of science venture into rapidly evolving information age classrooms, it is necessary that they are
adequately prepared for their role in igniting and shaping the minds of young scientists. The development of
sustainable programmes for preparing robust educators will transform Jamaica’s classrooms and provide quality
learning experiences. The participants will facilitate Jamaica’s thrust to improve the quality of the classroom
experience, and fully capitalize on opportunities to encourage student’s interest in science. The course is designed
on this premise and embraces the talents and experiences of all its participants.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Advanced Integrated Science is a three credit, 45-hour course and is divided into two units. The course covers
basic physical and life sciences with an integrated approach. The delivery of the course will involve lectures,
laboratory work, research, field work and presentation of field reports. The instruments used for assessment will
include an in-course test, laboratory reports, field work and presentation and a written final examination.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The course will enable students to:

1. Acquire a repertoire of knowledge and develop an understanding of basic concepts in physical and
biological sciences.
2. Understand the nature of science and scientific inquiry.
3. Recognize the scope and interrelatedness of concepts in pure science.
4. Communicate ideas and information in a cogent, reasoned and cohesive way.
5. Apply scientific principles and skills to relevant issues and situations.
6. Acquire training in the use of process and practical skills relevant to the study of pure science.
 ACTIVITIES/
DATE CONTENT
ASSIGNMENTS
TOPIC: Nature of Science Activities - problem solving
Nature of science and scientific inquiry. using the scientific method,
Jan 28
variables and writing
Process skills
hypothesis
Feb 4 TOPIC: Matter Discussion
Particulate theory of matter – include evidence
States of matter Practical 1 – Separating
Elements, compounds and mixtures mixtures
Separation techniques
Feb 11 TOPIC: Matter (contd) Practical 2 – Separating
Atoms mixtures
Write formulae to represent ions, molecules and formula units
Write chemical equations for given reactions

TOPIC: Materials(contd)
Physical and chemical properties of metals
Advantages of using aluminium for cooking and tinning utensils
Extraction of aluminium and iron
Relate the uses of metal and their alloys to their uses
Feb 18 TOPIC: Materials
Reactions of metals with oxygen, dilute acids, water and steam Practical 3 – Reactions of
Reactivity of metals acids and bases
Deduce order of reactivity of metal based on experimental results or data
given

TOPIC: Chemicals
Define acid, base, alkali, salt, acidic, basic, amphoteric and neutral oxides Practical 4 – Preparation of
pH scale soluble salts by different
Strength of acids and bases based on the degree of ionization methods
Reactions of non-oxidising acids with metals, carbonates, hydrogen
carbonates and bases.
Acid salts and normal salts
Feb 25 TOPIC: Biological Processes
Cells Practical 5 – Plants and
Comparison of the structures of unspecialized plant and animal cells Animal Cells
Relation between the structures of organelles and their functions
Differentiation between plant and animal cells
Importance of cell specialization in multi-cellular organisms
Importance of diffusion, osmosis and active transport in living organisms
Nutrition in plants
describe the process of photosynthesis in green plants Practical 6 – Photosynthesis
relate the structure of the leaf to its functions in photosynthesis
investigate environmental factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis
Mar 3 TEST: Matter, Materials, Chemicals

Mar 10 TOPIC: Biological Processes (contd)

Respiration
Importance of respiration to organisms
Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
 Describe the process of aerobic respiration
Distinguish between gaseous exchange and breathing
Describe the mechanism of breathing in humans
Discuss the features common to respiratory surfaces
Discuss the effects of smoking on the respiratory system
Mar 17 TOPIC: Biological Processes (contd)
Excretion
Distinguish between excretion and egestion
Discuss the importance of excretion in living organisms
Explain how metabolic wastes are excreted from plants and animals
Describe the function of the kidney in excretion and osmoregulation
Mar 24 TOPIC: Mechanics and Energy Practical 7 – Determining the
Effect of forces centre of gravity
Types of forces

Turning forces
Define the moment of a force
Apply the principle of moments
Explain the functions of simple machines.
Demonstrate the different types of levers.
Discuss efficiency of machines.
Determine the centre of gravity of a body
Explain stable, unstable, neutral equilibrium in terms of centre of gravity

Mar 31 TEST: Biological Processes

Apr 7 TOPIC: Mechanics and Energy

Newton’s Laws
State Newton’s three laws of motion
Use Newton’s laws to explain dynamic systems
Define linear momentum
Apply the law of conservation of linear momentum
Energy
define energy
identify various forms of energy
discuss the principle of conservation of energy
conservation of momentum
discuss problems associated with fossil fuels
discuss alternative sources of energy and their importance to the
Caribbean
define potential energy, kinetic energy, power, efficiency
perform calculations involving change in gravitational potential energy
and kinetic energy
Apr 14 TOPIC: Electricity Activity – setting up a simple
distinguish between conductors and insulators circuit
distinguish between electron flow and conventional current
apply the relationship Q = It
apply the relationship V = E/Q
apply the relationship P = IV
discuss the importance and means of conserving electrical energy
use symbols to construct circuit diagrams
differentiate between series and parallel circuits
 explain the concept of resistance
apply the relationship R = V/I
solve problems involving series and parallel resistance
Apr 21 Electricity in the home
discuss the reasons for using parallel connections of appliances
explain the purpose of a fuse and earth wire
select a fuse of suitable current rating for a given household appliance
calculate electricity bills based on energy consumption of household
appliances
Apr 28 TEST: Mechanics, Energy, Electricity

Coursework 50%
o Tests 20% (2/3 written tests)
o Project/Research 15% (at least one project)
o Practical 15%
o

Exam 50%
One 2 hour paper consisting of:
o 10 multiple choice questions – 10 marks
o 1 or 2 structured questions – 10 marks
o 2 essays out of four – 40 marks

RECOMMENDED LEARNING RESOURCES:

Cutnell, J. D. & Johnson, K. W. (2014). Physics. 10th ed., NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ramsden, E. N. A-Level Chemistry.
Hill, G. And Holman, J. (1995). Chemistry in Context. Fourth edition. Nelson.
Geddes and Grosset (2000). Killer Diseases.
Giancoli, Douglas (1998). Physics. Fifth edition.
Waugh, David (1990). Geography: An Integrated Approach.
Guttman, Burton S. (1999). Biology

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a dishonest act that occurs when a student takes and/or uses the ideas, work and/or writings
of another person as his/her own. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the exact duplication of
another’s work and the incorporation of a substantial or essential portion without appropriate citation,
copying and pasting information from websites or any publications, paying for a paper written by
someone else or using one’s work which was previously submitted for a grade in another course.

NB: SEE HANDBOOK FOR MORE DETAILS