2011 Al Syllabus

Unit

1: Measurement


Evolution

G.C.E Advanced Level New Science Curricula Chemistry, Physics, Biology Based on the seminar presentation on 22 Feb 2009 at ViduJaya Science exhibition, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

G.C.E.(A/L) Physics – 2009 Unit Topic 1 2 3 4 5

Measurement Mechanics Oscillations and waves Thermal Physics Gravitational Fields

of experimental science
Basic concepts in scientific methodology
Mathematical concepts necessary for physics
Brief description of vectors
Graphical representation of experimental results and graphical analysis


In

addition to the present measuring instruments,
Triple beam balance
Four beam balance
Electronic balance
Digital clocks are discussed briefly
Error, fractional error and percentage error of a measurement
Influence of relative magnitudes of errors in the final results of an experiment


Unit

G.C.E (A/L) Physics 2009 (contd …) (contd…

Unit Topic 6 7 8 9 10 11

Electrostatic Field Current Electricity Electromagnetism Electronics Mechanical Properties Matter and Radiation

3: Oscillations and Waves


Reflection

of light has been omitted because it has been included in G.C.E.(O/L) syllabus


Longitudinal

vibrations in rods has been

included
Seismic

waves, Richter scale and Tsunami are discussed briefly

1


Doppler

effecteffect- apparent change in frequency due to the movement of both observer and source in addition to other situations
Sonic boom
Relations between frequency and intensity of sound
Properties and uses of LASER beams are discussed under electromagnetic waves


Unit

8: Electromagnetism


Interactions

between electricity and magnetism are discussed under one topic, whereas in the present syllabus these are under two separate topics.


Force

on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field and force on a moving charged particle in a magnetic field are discussed under one sub topic.


Unit


Unit

11: Matter and Radiation


Brief

description of fusion reaction that occur in stars (production of elements)

G.C.E.(A/L) Chemistry 2009 Unit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Topic Structure and Properties of Matter Chemical Calculations States of Matter Energetics Chemistry of s, p and d-block elements Basic concepts of Organic Chemistry Hydrocarbons

9: Electronics


Unipolar

transistors
Field effect transistors
Operational amplifieramplifier-Golden rules 1 and 2
Op. amplifier as a voltage comparator
Electronic memory
Single memory element with NAND/NOR gates
Basic SR flipflip-flop

2


Unit

1: Structure and Properties of Matter


Fundamentals

of this unit are covered under the chemistry component of grades 10 and 11 science.


Historical

approach was omitted and amalgamated the following units of the present syllabus Atomic Structure Chemical Bonding States of Matter


Unit

2: Chemical Calculations


This

unit covers several basic concepts of chemistry and relevant calculations. The content of the unit was discussed under several units in the present syllabus.


Unit
In


Unit

3: States of Matter the present syllabus, it is under unit 11.

4:

Energetics


Content

of the unit is similar to the content of Unit 04 – Energetics of present syllabus. In addition, the concept "randomness" was introduced qualitatively.

3




Unit 12: Equilibrium
Following

systems that equilibrium law could be applied has been introduced.




Unit 15: Chemistry and Industry
In

addition to the content of the present syllabus related to this topic following industries and industrial applications were introduced.
Production of cement
Extraction of Al, S and Cu
Uses of Alums and Silicone
Polymeric substances
Surface coatings
Fiber reinforced plastics
Crude Oil


Most

of the content covered under the electrode equilibrium in the present syllabus has been transferred to the Unit 13 – Electrochemistry of the new syllabus. "Buffer capacity" has been introduced as a new concept .


Unit

13:Electro Chemistry


It

covers most of the content given under the heading electrode equilibrium of unit 12 of present syllabus. In addition, following concepts and applications has been introduced.


Unit
In

addition to the content of the present syllabus related to this topic following new concepts were introduced.
Major cycles
Salinity
Alkalinity
Waste management
Quality of water


Decomposition potential, Back

electromotive force and over voltage
Different types of cells
Differences between the functioning cells and electrochemical cells.
Applications of conductivity measurements


Unit

16: Environmental Chemistry

14: Analytical Chemistry

of the tests and experiments of inorganic component of the present syllabus are covered under this unit. Following analytical techniques have been introduced.
Spectroscopic methods
Recrystallization
Gravimetry
Potentiometry
Conductometry
Chromatography

G.C.E.(A/L) Biology -2009


Most

Unit

1 2 3 4 5 6

Topic

Introduction to Biology Chemical and cellular basis of life Diversity of organisms Nutrition Respiration Transportation

4




Unit 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Topic

CoCo-ordination and homeostasis Excretion Support and movement Reproduction, growth and development Heredity Environmental biology Microbiology Applied biology


The

number of units in the proposed biology syllabus has been increased to 14 units from the present 9 units.
Functioning plant and Functioning animal units have been divided into 7 main units.

Basic statistics for biology unit has been omitted.
Classroom dissections on animals have been omitted.
Practical component has been incorporated in the form of 5E model group activities as well as separate follow up practical sessions .
Animal dissections have been totally omitted from the practicals. practicals.



Unit

1:Introduction to Biology
Unit 2:Chemical and Cellular Basis of Life These units cover the content of the Core biology unit of present syllabus and energy relationships


Unit

3 –Diversity of organisms
Classification and nomenclature is covered in this unit
Domains has been introduced
Details of reproductive structures of plants not required
Only the life cycles of plants


Unit

4 - Nutrition
Under the disorders of the human digestive system food related disorders have been included .
Unit 7 – Coordination and homeostasis
Basic structure of human skin is included.

5


Unit
Unit

8 - Excretion

Under the disorders of the human excretory system bladder and kidney stones have been included .
Diagnostic role of urine has been added.



Unit

9 – Support and Movement


Osteoarthritis

and Osteoporosis have been included under disorders and abnormalities.
Characteristics of muscle tissue have been added


Unit 10 – Reproduction, growth and development
Early

signs of pregnancy and assisted reproduction have been introduced


Unit

1111-Heredity


Subject

areas covered in Continuity of life unit is addressed here.
Sociobiological problems of using genetically modified organisms have been added .

1212-Environmental biology


Content

covered in the Man and Environment unit and Biodiversity unit is addressed here.


Eco

systems in Sri Lanka has been elaborated


Unit

1313-Microbiology


Prions

have been introduced , due to their importance as disease causing agents.


Legal

limits in releasing waste water into water bodies according to Sri Lankan standards is added.


Unit

1414- Applied Biology


Areas

omitted :
Coconut pests - Coconut Leaf Miner, Coconut Caterpillar
Paddy pests - Swarming caterpillars, Case bearers
Parasites - Entamoeba histolytica , Ascaris lumbricoides
Areas included :
Coconut Pests - Mites

6




Under Aquaculture, Aquatic plants have been added as a species grown in Sri Lanka




Plant diseases caused by micromicro-organisms have been addressed in general, instead of emphasizing diseases of paddy alone

7