Science, Mathematics and Engineering Faculty

The Extended Project Qualification is equivalent to half an A-Level and provides students with an opportunity to develop their extended writing and research skills which are considered extremely valuable by top performing universities. Students particularly enjoy this qualification as it provides them with an opportunity to research in-depth an area that is of interest to them. At HAB6 if you choose to complete an EPQ you will be provided with a supervisor who will help guide you through the project and will receive teaching by top academics facilitated through ‘Off the Curriculum’ and will participate in lessons taught by Southampton University.

Below are some of the areas students have previously investigated when completing the Extended Project Qualification.

Psychology

Students interested in Psychology and how to analyse experiments can get experience in this field by taking part in the Extended Project. Students will be looking at analysing the difference in memory recall of different ages of women, looking for trends and using data to form conclusions.

Computer Science

You could become a part of the Raspberry Pi revolution, learning programming skills and developing a project that interests you. It might be a project synchronising a lighting show to music or developing your own computer game. Whatever you do you will certainly have a lot to talk about at interview and may even discover a lifelong interest.

Statistics

When choosing a statistics project the potential is huge. Students may either focus within mathematics itself, if students are keen to study Maths at University, or link with other A Level disciplines such as Sciences. The statistical project will be linked to some real life situations that require analysis to further understand real world problems e.g.

• Population dynamics

• Social trends

• Spread of diseases

• Medical survival rates

Biology

Ever wondered why taking paracetamol helps stop those pesky headaches? The world of drug development is more important than ever. See if you can research the new drugs and the process needed to help people recover from diseases such as Cancer, HIV and the most talked about at the moment - Ebola. It will certainly give you a lot to talk about at interview and you may even discover a lifelong interest.

Stem Cells

My Sisters Keeper raised some key issues in science through Hollywood. Be the scientist behind it! What are Stem Cells and what does the future hold for them? Is it ethical to use them or are we playing God? A great project if you are thinking about going into Genetics or medicinal research - it will certainly provide a lot to talk about at interview.

Nanoparticles

Ever wondered how phones are becoming smaller and smaller? Or how the phone in a watch works? Well the answer is nano particles. Through your research try and discover a new way that they can be used - you never know you could become our very own Richard Branson!

The Universe Around Us

So NASA have found a water like substance on another planet? What does that mean for us? Is space exploration a worthwhile cause to spend billions of pounds on? Discover more about the amazing universe around us and have a lot to talk about in your Physics University interview!

CHEMISTRY

A Level

If you enjoyed Chemistry at GCSE and would like to delve into it in more depth, then this is the course for you. For the AS assessment, students explore the fundamental principles that form the basis of Chemistry such as atomic structure, bonding, periodicity and an introduction to organic chemistry. Students also look at the applications of these principles. For the A2 assessment, students develop further the concepts and principles introduced at AS through topics including equilibria, polymers, aromatic chemistry, thermodynamics, energetic chemistry and inorganic chemistry.

Why study this course?

Chemistry A Level is a requirement for many University courses including medicine, veterinary science, optometry, nursing, dentistry, sports science, pharmacy, chemical engineering. Chemistry is one of the facilitating subjects which helps students to be successful across many different careers and courses.

PHYSICS

A Level

If you enjoyed Physics at GCSE and would like to delve into it in more depth, then this is the course for you. Students learn to understand the mechanics, materials and waves and exciting new topics: particles, quantum phenomena and electricity. In the second year, students are introduced to topics including fields and further mechanics, and choose from options including astrophysics, medical physics, applied physics and turning points in physics. Building upon their existing knowledge, students learn new concepts and develop their laboratory skills and ability to think analytically.

Why study this course?

Physics A Level is a requirement for many University courses including medicine, veterinary science, astrophysics and applied physics, engineering. Physics is one of the facilitating subjects which helps students to be successful across many different careers and courses.

BIOLOGY

A Level

If you enjoyed Biology at GCSE and would like to delve into it in more depth, then this is the course for you. Students learn to understand the living world, to sense the wonder of evolution, to catch the excitement of genetic engineering, to think independently, to challenge widely held beliefs, to appreciate the delicate ecological balance that sustains life on Earth and to answer fundamental questions like, ‘what is life?’ Building upon their existing knowledge, students learn new concepts and develop their laboratory skills and ability to think analytically.

Why study this course?

Biology A Level is a requirement for many University courses including medicine, veterinary science, optometry, psychology, nursing, dentistry, sports science, pharmacy, physiotherapy, genetics, zoology, ecology, lots more including of course Biology. Biology is one of the facilitating subjects which helps students to be successful across many different careers and courses.

MATHEMATICS

A Level

A Level Mathematics is probably the most marketable A Level. It allows students to move into a variety of different fields in both higher education and the world of work. It is essential to the expanding fields of science, technology and engineering. It provides a solid pathway into careers in finance, accounting, economics and banking. It is an important aspect of psychology, computing and marketing at degree level. It is difficult to think of any course or career where A Level Mathematics would not be welcomed in combination with other subjects.

Why study this course?

A Level Mathematics can lead to degrees in mathematics, engineering, most areas of physics, computing, accountancy, economics, business, banking, air traffic control, retail management, architecture, surveying, cartography, psychology and, of course, teaching.

PSYCHOLOGY

A Level

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, undertaking an A Level in the subject will allow you to gain an understanding of the six core areas of the discipline: social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, psychopathology, and biological psychology. As part of your studies, you will be expected to study and design experiments to find out what is normal human behaviour and then carry out research into abnormal behaviour. Psychologists then use the information learnt to address social and personal problems.

Why study this course?

A Level Psychology is very versatile, any career that requires a lot of interaction or a grasp of human behaviour and development can benefit from Psychology. Psychology graduates are in high demand in business management, teaching, research, social work, medical and healthcare, even in media and advertising.

SOCIOLOGY

A Level

The study of Sociology will help you to gain more of an awareness of how people interact in groups. A level Sociology examines social behaviour from a variety of perspectives: how it originates and then develops, and the ways people are organised into groups according to distinctions such as class, gender and race.

Why study this course?

Sociology is an excellent introduction to careers which involve working with people and this course provides many transferable skills which are applicable to many different career avenues such as teaching, social work, criminology, working as a probation officer, anthropology.