Science
The Science department at Dubai College is rightly proud of its facilities. Occupying its own block containing 13 fully equipped, full size laboratories, 4 prep rooms, project rooms, indoor Biology pond and a student study room. We have all the equipment one would expect from a leading school plus some more besides. Equipment is stocked on the basis of student experimentation working individually or in pairs - rather than demonstration. Keynote equipment includes our own planetarium, seismometer, telescopes and mini hovercraft.
In Years 7 to 9, students follow a practically orientated science course with the emphasis being placed on practical work and how it links to everyday and/or industrial applications. Moral and ethical questions arising from the science are discussed along with the scientific method (“how science works”). Students are taught science in their form groups in Years 7 and 8 whilst in Year 9 the students are placed in sets according to ability and are taught the three sciences separately.
In Year 10, the students follow the EDEXCEL GCSE Additional Science course, (2103) being taught by specialist teachers for two hours per week in each of the three sciences. A practical/investigative approach is used whenever possible. There is no coursework as such in Additional Science and students sit internally assessed assignments throughout the year. These, along with the external examinations taken in June complete the examination requirements for a GCSE in Additional Science.
In Year 11, the students follow the EDEXCEL GCSE Science course (2101), being taught by specialist teachers for two hours per week in each of the three sciences. A practical/investigative approach is used whenever possible. There is no coursework as such in science and students sit internally assessed …. throughout the year. These, along with six external multiple choice examinations taken in March and June complete the examination requirements for a GCSE in Science.
Examination results have been excellent in these courses with over 80% of our students achieving A*’s. Additional, six of our students received letters from the examination board stating that they were in the top ten of all students studying at international schools.
The single sciences
Some students opt to take the sciences separately and study for separate EDEXCEL GCSE’s in Biology (2105), Chemistry(2107) and Physics (2109). This involves the student in following the courses for GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science as well as one lesson per week in each of the three sciences to cover extension units. External examinations are taken on each of the three extension units at the end of Year 11. Last year our students achieved 100% A*’s in these courses.
Students in Year 8 are offered the chance to travel to Izmir, Turkey to attend “Space Camp Turkey.” In Year 12, A/S Level Biology students are given the opportunity to attend field studies in Cyprus. Astronomy evenings are also arranged during the year.
Physics
A Level Physics is very popular at Dubai College with approximately one in two students following an A/S Physics course. In Year 12 students follow the EDEXCEL Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Physics (8PH01) and in Year 13 they follow the EDEXCEL GCE in Physics (9PH01). Examination results are excellent with a large majority of our students achieving an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ Grade.
Chemistry
Advanced Level Chemistry has always been a popular choice at Dubai College. We run three teaching groups in Year 12 and three more in Year 13.
Our students follow the EDEXCEL Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Chemistry (8CH01) followed by the Advanced GCE in Chemistry (9CH01). These courses contain a considerable amount of practical work which allows us to provide our students with the skills that they require to study science at higher levels. Practical activities are assessed by the teacher at suitable points throughout the year.
The current specification is designed to relate chemistry theory to the chemistry that is often found in the media, such as climate change, green chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry.
