GCE A Level Subject Profiles

Subject Profile – Advanced Level Mathematics

GCE Advanced level Mathematics is an essential subject for many areas of study at university. The course deals with a number of topics, including algebra, calculus, geometry and vectors. At HIC, the Advanced level Mathematics qualification is from the Edexcel examination board. Edexcel is a JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) approved examination body in the United Kingdom.

The A level Mathematics course is generally a two-year programme of study, although it can be completed in one year as an intensive programme. Most university degrees welcome this A level as part of a prospective student’s entry qualifications.

At HIC special individual attention is given to every student, with each being given an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Through rigorous teaching and learning classroom activities, students are able to improve their responses to exam-style questions. Assessments, which take various forms, are used to track the progress of each student.

During the course, students are actively encouraged to apply for undergraduate courses in engineering, science, economics and technology. In addition to excellent teaching, HIC students receive adequate support and guidance to ensure they fulfil their maximum potential in their studies. HIC provides guidance in selecting and applying for the most appropriate university course.

At HIC there is an opportunity to enter Maths challenge competitions and to become a student subject leader of Mathematics.

The highest grade attainable in A level Mathematics is A*, worth 140 UCAS points for university entrance. The required grades for the chosen course at a university can be obtained at:

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/choosing-course

Subject Profile – Advanced Level Chemistry

Chemistry has the power to transform and recreate all of the substances we encounter in everyday life. The plastics, medicines, smart materials, and fertilisers that have been transforming the modern world were all created by chemists. Chemistry underpins the conceptual framework and methodology of biochemistry and molecular medicine, and is at the heart of many major industries.

The A level Chemistry course is designed to develop a deep understanding of chemical processes. It equips students with a coherent body of knowledge and excellent practical skills necessary for future study and employment in the field of chemistry, while engaging them with thought-provoking ideas. The course empowers students to: apply knowledge and understanding within a diverse range of situations; think and work logically; observe accurately and communicate effectively.

The A level Chemistry curriculum covers areas from the physical aspects of energetics and atomic structure, through to the nature of elements and the study of organic chemistry. This course combines academic rigour with a sense of discovery and provides time for students to develop a strong sense of how the various branches of the subject intertwine.

Study of Chemistry is an ideal preparation for a variety of professions and degree courses, such as Physical or Natural Sciences, Journalism, Economics, Medicine, IT and Dentistry. Chemistry graduates are highly sought after for their problem solving and analytical skills, with roughly half of chemistry graduates from Oxford working within major financial institutions in the City. Chemistry courses are increasingly varied, including options for language studies, years abroad and other opportunities

Subject Profile – Advanced Level Biology

Biology is the study of living things. The A level Biology course examines all manner of living things, from molecules that make up cells to human biology and the interactions between living things and the ecosystem. Moral and ethical issues are also investigated, particularly through consideration of how modern developments affect the scientific community and society in general.

This A level opens doors into disciplines and careers such as: Research, Health Care, Environmental Management and Conservation, Education, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Politics and Policy, Business and Industry, Economics, Mathematics, and Science writing and communication.

The A level Biology curriculum builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed at GCSE. Knowledge, understanding and skills developed within GCSE Maths and Chemistry are also relevant.

The course is aimed at fostering an interest in and enthusiasm for biology, including possible further study of the subject. Students learn to appreciate how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society, while developing essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other.

HIC teachers help and inspire our students to develop and demonstrate their skills and knowledge effectively, as well as to build an in-depth understanding that goes beyond the curriculum. Discussion in the classroom is encouraged, for example on the effects of the human impact on biodiversity and in exploring ways in which these issues can be addressed.

Biology graduates are highly sought after because of the range of transferable skills they acquire during their studies, including the ability to: apply their knowledge to a diverse range of problems, create links between different pieces of knowledge, and harness data analytics.

Subject Profile – Advanced Level Physics

The GCE Advanced level Physics course deals with a number of topics, including mechanics, electricity, magnetism, heat, light, sound and the universe. At HIC, the Advanced level Physics qualification is from the Edexcel examination board. Edexcel is a JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) approved examination body in the United Kingdom.

Degree courses in various engineering disciplines such as electrical, mechanical and civil engineering and electronics generally insist students have passed A level Physics. In addition some courses in material science require knowledge of A level Physics. The number of universities now offering a Physics degree has grown significantly; all such programmes require A level Physics.

The A level Physics course is generally a two-year programme although it can be completed in one year as an intensive programme. Most university degrees in the fields of technology and engineering welcome this A level as part of a prospective student’s entry qualifications.

At HIC special individual attention is given to every student, with each being given an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Through rigorous teaching and learning classroom activities, students are able to improve their responses to exam-style questions. Assessments, which take various forms, are used to track the progress of each student.

During the course, students are actively encouraged to apply for undergraduate courses in engineering, science, economics and technology. In addition to excellent teaching, HIC students receive adequate support and guidance to ensure they fulfil their maximum potential in their studies. HIC provides guidance in selecting and applying for the most appropriate university course.

At HIC there is an opportunity to enter into Maths challenge competitions and to become a student subject leader of Physics.

The highest grade attainable in A level Physics is A*, worth 140 UCAS points for university entrance. The required grades for the chosen course at a university can be obtained at:

https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/choosing-course

Computer Science can be studied as a major subject those who wish to proceed and study this as their main degree course at the University. Further computer science can be studied as a secondary subject; will be an added advantage for Science and Engineering students.

Computer Science is a very broad area and it can lead to sophisticated specialisation such as, software engineering, hardware engineering, artificial Intelligence, robotics virtual reality, cybernetics, multimedia, games design, and apps design. Further the applications of Computers Science in the business such as Data analytics, Cloud computing etc.

The way computer power and the overall rapid development of its applications in the real world is phenomenal and any student studying this subject will be able to land in a highly paid lucrative job and they will be in big demand in the industry.

AT HIC we wish to provide our students the best possible opportunity to study computer Science and its applications in a conducive environment with all the latest facilities such as, Fiber optics broadband, latest computers with all the important software supported by our highly qualified and well experienced panel of teachers and lectures who have wealth of teaching and industry experience who can inspire and motivate students to achieve their best.

Dr. M G Srikanthan (Sri) has newly joined HIC as the Lecturer of Data Analytics and Big Data. He is also a specialist faculty for Computer Science and IT workshops at HIC. He has nearly 20 years’ experience in teaching, research, and practice in Academic Management. Dr. Sri received a Bachelor’s Degree in Computing from University of Westminster, London, and gained a PhD from Brunel University London in 2000 for research on Object Recognition by Echolocation Using Wavelet Neural Networks.

Dr David Preston works as a Career Advisor at HIC. He is a specialist faculty for Computer Science and IT workshops at HIC. Dr Preston has degrees from the Universities of London, Loughborough and Sheffield. His main interests include the application of mathematics in industrial and commercial processes. An academic for over 20 years, David now consults for a range of international companies, including oil companies in Kazakhstan, training agencies in the US, and digital media firms in the UK.

Studying the combined English Language and Literature at A Levels provides ample opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and understanding and manipulating language that are useful across the spectrum of studies both at A Level and beyond.

These valuable skills provide a strong foundation for wider scope of academic study as well as its application and use in the industry. Students have the opportunity to engage creatively and independently with a wide range of spoken, written as well engage in meaningful discussions and debates. This allows considerable freedom in study and the opportunity to create a portfolio of creative responses. Students will also explore contemporary social, historical and cultural issues through the study of a range of contemporary and early texts.

A wide range of career choices are available as a result of studying this subject.

It develops higher communication skills and an ability to apply linguistic and literary critical concepts. English Language and Literature can be studied separately or as a single subject in higher education or can be combined with a range of other subjects. With the right combination of subjects, this course will lead the students into the academic field of linguistics, or a career in journalism, publishing, creative and media careers, advertising, broadcasting, or communications, Public Relations, Copywriting, Speech and Language Therapy, Publishing, Advertising, Editorial Work, Script Writing and many others.

Subject Profile – Advanced level Economics

With the reverberations of the recent “Great Recession” still being felt throughout the world, the study of Economics has never been more important.

At its heart, Economics studies the connections between three essential elements in a country: consumers, producers and governments. This interconnectedness forms a fascinatingly complex web of relationships as money, goods and services are bought, sold and exchanged. The situation becomes even more interesting when other countries are taken into account – each vying to protect their own interests and each with their own motives.

In the A Level Economics course, students will learn about economic systems of both the small and the large scale – from individual businesses via whole countries to blocks such as the European Union. Using theoretical models and diagrams, the actions of each economic element can be analysed and their effects on others can be explored.

However, Economics is never just theoretical. The course moves from these models to real-world concerns, where the practical impact can be enormous. For example, the number of people fundamentally affected by The Great Recession in 2008 ran into billions. This is one of the many events studied in the A level, as we seek to understand the causes of such major incidents and to critically evaluate the policy responses by governments around the world.

Economics is related to many other subjects. It involves graphs and calculations that form an obvious link with Mathematics (although knowledge to A level Mathematics is not essential). The conflict between private and public interests and thus the level of inequality is an important aspect of both Philosophy and Sociology. Similarly, books studied in English Literature often deal with societal problems – and many of these are inevitably economic. Also, studying significant economic events over the past century is in essence historical; and Geography is connected as a result of the rapidly growing emphasis on environmental concerns in Economics. Finally, Science and Economics are related now more than ever, as scientific research becomes more and more globalised and research funding is increasingly at the mercy of volatile market forces.

As a result of all these connections to other disciplines, the degree choices and ultimate career paths for Economics students are diverse. Perhaps the most common route is into banking and finance where Economics is of course vital. But many other careers, such as law and journalism, also value the analytical and critical thinking skills developed through the discussions and debates that form an essential part of the course.

At HIC special individual attention is given to every student, with each being given an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Through rigorous teaching and learning classroom activities, students are able to improve their responses to exam style questions.  Assessments, which take various forms, are used to track the progress of each student.

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour.

The AQA syllabus offers students a chance to become acquainted with the fundamental theories and scientific methods that psychologists employ to make sense of complex human behaviour. Psychology is a demanding subject that requires students to have an inquisitive, analytical mind and an interest in the biological basis of behaviour.

In the first year students discuss the structure and function of the human memory, focusing on factors that influence eyewitness testimony. Developmental and social psychology are explored looking at different types of attachment in childhood and the influences of social groups on our behaviour. There is a heavy scientific element in the syllabus where students will learn about biopsychology including the role of genetics, brain dysfunction and biological (and non biological) explanations for abnormal behaviours; such as anxiety disorders covered in the psychopathology topic.

In the second year students will focus on the physiology of the brain looking at the localised functions on the brain and biological rhythms such as the sleep wake cycle. Also, in forensic psychology we will discuss the use of current offender profiling techniques; the role of nature vs nurture in criminality; and methods used to rehabilitate offenders. In addition, students will learn about fundamental theories of cognitive development, behavioural psychology, social cognition and the development of empathy/ theory of mind.

In both years there is a heavy emphasis on students using and understanding the key research methods used by psychologists; these include experiments, self-reports, observations and correlations. Students will be expected to analyse and interpret statistical data and conduct statistical tests. 10% of the overall first year and second year A level assessment will contain a mathematical element.

Subject Combinations and Progression

Psychology can be usefully combined with most subjects to allow progression on to university, however, it is particularly well suited to the following subject combinations: Psychology with English, Biology, Maths, Law, Sociology, Business Studies and History. Some students go on to study psychology at university, for others it has led to degrees in related areas such as neuroscience, sports science/psychology, economic/behavioural psychology, media studies, teaching, psychotherapy and nursing. Psychology provides you with many transferable skills and an understanding of human behaviour, which is essential to any future career.

A-level Sociology offers students the opportunity to develop the essential knowledge and understanding of central aspects of sociological thought and methods. It is designed to encourage students to demonstrate the application of a range of skills and consider the integration of sociological themes: socialisation, culture and identity, social differentiation, power and stratification.

In the first year students will look at how life is structured in both Families and Households and how these ideas are integrated into society as a whole as well as how families relate to other institutions.  We will also look at the Education system how it is structured and how class, gender and ethnicity affect educational achievement.  In the first year there is also the element of Research Methods to be considered and how those methods impact social study.

In the second year students will study Crime and Deviance where the idea of Theory and Methods will be added to this topic.  Finally we will look at the topic of Beliefs in Society from the point of view of how they have impacted society.

Learning styles

Students will be asked throughout the course of the two years to:

• Demonstrate and communicate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts and evidence, and sociological research methods.
• Apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to the range of issues talked about above
• Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods in order to present arguments, make judgments and draw conclusions.

Subject Combinations and Progression

Sociology has links with Government & Politics, Economics, Psychology, History, Media Studies, Law, English and Film Studies.  In terms of subject combinations Sociology combines well with most subjects since it gives students an understanding of ideas such as class, gender and ethnicity and therefore provides students with a useful insight into many key aspects of society.

If you are interested in this subject chances are that you already know how important politics is in our society and how much our life is influenced by political decisions.

Studying the subject at Harrow Independent College will provide you with a wide and informed knowledge of the nature of politics and the relationship between political ideas, institutions and processes.

You will gain a critical awareness of the structures of authority and power within the political system of the UK and of other countries as well as of how influences and interests have an impact on political decisions. You will learn about the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups and be able to understand the complexity of contemporary politics.

An A Level in Government and Politics provides an excellent background for careers in law, business, civil service, media, NGOs, in the caring professions and in a range of management and business areas.

Over the two-years course you will study:

UK Politics – democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.

UK Government –the Constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and Executive

Comparative and Global Politics, USA Government and political system, global governance, human rights and environmental politics.