Pearson
BTEC Level 3 National
Extended Certificate in
Applied Science
Specification
First teaching from September 2016
First certification from 2017
... [Show More]
Issue 4
Pearson
BTEC Level 3 National
Extended Certificate in
Applied Science
Specification
First teaching September 2016
Issue 4
Edexcel, BTEC and LCCI qualifications
Edexcel, BTEC and LCCI qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body
offering academic and vocational qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked.
For further information, please visit our qualifications website at qualifications.pearson.com.
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About Pearson
Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 35,000 employees in more than 70 countries
working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning.
We put the learner at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do
people. Find out more about how we can help you and your learners at qualifications.pearson.com
This specification is Issue 4. Key changes are sidelined. We will inform centres of any changes to
this issue. The latest issue can be found on our website.
References to third-party material made in this specification are made in good faith. We do not
endorse, approve or accept responsibility for the content of materials, which may be subject to
change, or any opinions expressed therein. (Material may include textbooks, journals, magazines
and other publications and websites.)
ISBN 978 1 446 95061 1
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Limited 2015
Welcome
With a track record built over 30 years of learner success, BTEC Nationals are widely recognised
by industry and higher education as the signature vocational qualification at Level 3. They provide
progression to the workplace either directly or via study at a higher level. Proof comes from
YouGov research, which shows that 62% of large companies have recruited employees with BTEC
qualifications. What’s more, well over 100,000 BTEC students apply to UK universities every year
and their BTEC Nationals are accepted by over 150 UK universities and higher education institutes
for relevant degree programmes either on their own or in combination with A Levels.
Why are BTECs so successful?
BTECs embody a fundamentally learner-centred approach to the curriculum, with a flexible,
unit-based structure and knowledge applied in project-based assessments. They focus on the
holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to be able to
succeed in employment and higher education.
When creating the BTEC Nationals in this suite, we worked with many employers, higher education
providers, colleges and schools to ensure that their needs are met. Employers are looking for
recruits with a thorough grounding in the latest industry requirements and work-ready skills such
as teamwork. Higher education needs students who have experience of research, extended writing
and meeting deadlines.
We have addressed these requirements with:
a range of BTEC sizes, each with a clear purpose, so there is something to suit each
learner’s choice of study programme and progression plans
refreshed content that is closely aligned with employers’ and higher education needs for a
skilled future workforce
assessments and projects chosen to help learners progress to the next stage. This means
some are set by you to meet local needs, while others are set and marked by Pearson
so that there is a core of skills and understanding that is common to all learners. For
example, a written test can be used to check that learners are confident in using technical
knowledge to carry out a certain job.
We are providing a wealth of support, both resources and people, to ensure that learners and their
teachers have the best possible experience during their course. See Section 10 for details of the
support we offer.
A word to learners
Today’s BTEC Nationals are demanding, as you would expect of the most respected applied learning
qualification in the UK. You will have to choose and complete a range of units, be organised, take
some assessments that we will set and mark, and keep a portfolio of your assignments. But you
can feel proud to achieve a BTEC because, whatever your plans in life – whether you decide to
study further, go on to work or an apprenticeship, or set up your own business – your BTEC
National will be your passport to success in the next stage of your life.
Good luck, and we hope you enjoy your course.
Collaborative development
Students completing their BTEC Nationals in Applied Science will be aiming to go on to
employment, often via the stepping stone of higher education. It was, therefore, essential that
we developed these qualifications in close collaboration with experts from professional bodies,
businesses and universities, and with the providers who will be delivering the qualifications.
To ensure that the content meets providers’ needs and provides high-quality preparation for
progression, we engaged experts. We are very grateful to all the university and further education
lecturers, teachers, employers, professional body representatives and other individuals who have
generously shared their time and expertise to help us develop these new qualifications.
In addition, universities, professional bodies and businesses have provided letters of support
confirming that these qualifications meet their entry requirements. These letters can be viewed
on our website.
Summary of Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in
Applied Science specification Issue 4 changes
Summary of changes made between previous issues and this
current issue
Page
number
Wording has been added to the Qualification and unit content section to clarify
that references in units to regulation, legislation, policies and regulatory/standards
organisations can be adapted and updated to reflect changes and variations within
the UK.
Page 7
The wording under the synoptic assessment section has been revised to reference
synoptic assessment tasks within units.
Page 8
A sentence has been added to the External assessment summary table to clarify
the percentage of external assessment within the qualification.
Page 13
External assessment
Unit 1: Duration of written examination now 2 hours (was 1.5 hours).
Page 13
Wording has been revised to reference the specific synoptic assessment task/s
within units that have been identified for this qualification.
Page 13
Unit 1 Summary of assessment
The wording under Summary of assessment has changed to ‘the exam will last
two hours’.
Page 20
The wording under Unit content – B3 Tissue structure and function has changed to
‘interpretation of graphical displays of a nerve impulse and electrocardiogram
(ECG) recordings’.
Page 23
Wording has been revised in the Links to other units section in Units 1 and 3. Pages 28
and 47
If you need further information on these changes or what they mean, contact us via our website at:
qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html.
Contents
Introduction to BTEC National qualifications for the applied science sector 1
Total Qualification Time 2
Qualifications, sizes and purposes at a glance 3
Structures of the qualifications at a glance 5
Qualification and unit content 7
Assessment 7
Grading for units and qualifications 9
UCAS Tariff points 9
1 Qualification purpose 10
2 Structure 12
3 Units 14
Understanding your units 14
Index of units 17
4 Planning your programme 139
5 Assessment structure and external assessment 141
Introduction 141
Internal assessment 141
External assessment 141
6 Internal assessment 143
Principles of internal assessment 143
Setting effective assignments 145
Making valid assessment decisions 147
Planning and record keeping 149
7 Administrative arrangements 150
Introduction 150
Learner registration and entry 150
Access to assessment 150
Administrative arrangements for internal assessment 151
Administrative arrangements for external assessment 152
Dealing with malpractice in assessment 154
Certification and results 156
Additional documents to support centre administration 156
8 Quality assurance 157
9 Understanding the qualification grade 158
10 Resources and support 162
Support for setting up your course and preparing to teach 162
Support for teaching and learning 163
Support for assessment 163
Training and support from Pearson 164
Appendix 1 Links to industry standards 165
Appendix 2 Glossary of terms used for internally-assessed units 166
Introduction to BTEC National qualifications
for the applied science sector
This specification contains the information you need to deliver the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National
Extended Certificate in Applied Science. The specification signposts you to additional handbooks
and policies. It includes all the units for this qualification.
This qualification is part of the suite of Applied Science qualifications offered by Pearson. In the
suite there are qualifications that focus on different progression routes, allowing learners to choose
the one best suited to their aspirations.
All qualifications in the suite share some common units and assessments, allowing learners some
flexibility in moving between sizes. The qualification titles are given below.
Some BTEC National qualifications provide a broad introduction that gives learners transferable
knowledge and skills. These qualifications are for post-16 learners who want to continue their
education through applied learning. The qualifications prepare learners for a range of higher
education courses and job roles related to a particular sector. They provide progression either by
meeting entry requirements in their own right or by being accepted alongside other qualifications
at the same level and adding value to them.
In the applied science sector these qualifications are:
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Applied Science (180 GLH) 601/7434/1
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science (360 GLH) 601/7436/5
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Applied Science (510 GLH) 601/7438/9
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Applied Science (720 GLH) 601/7435/3
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science (1080 GLH) 601/7437/7.
This specification signposts all the other essential documents and support that you need as a
centre in order to deliver, assess and administer the qualification, including the staff development
required. A summary of all essential documents is given in Section 7. Information on how we can
support you with this qualification is given in Section 10.
The information in this specification is correct at the time of publication.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science – 1
Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015
Total Qualification Time
For all regulated qualifications, Pearson specifies a total number of hours that it is estimated
learners will require to complete and show achievement for the qualification: this is the Total
Qualification Time (TQT). Within TQT, Pearson identifies the number of Guided Learning Hours
(GLH) that we estimate a centre delivering the qualification might provide. Guided learning means
activities, such as lessons, tutorials, online instruction, supervised study and giving feedback on
performance, that directly involve teachers and assessors in teaching, supervising and invigilating
learners. Guided learning includes the time required for learners to complete external assessment
under examination or supervised conditions.
In addition to guided learning, other required learning directed by teachers or assessors will include
private study, preparation for assessment and undertaking assessment when not under
supervision, such as preparatory reading, revision and independent research.
BTEC Nationals have been designed around the number of hours of guided learning expected. Each
unit in the qualification has a GLH value of 60, 90 or 120. There is then a total GLH value for the
qualification.
Each qualification has a TQT value. This may vary within sectors and across the suite depending on
the nature of the units in each qualification and the expected time for other required learning.
The following table shows all the qualifications in this sector and their GLH and TQT values.
2 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science –Specification –
Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015
Qualifications, sizes and purposes at a glance
Title Size and structure Summary purpose
Pearson BTEC Level 3
National Certificate in
Applied Science
180 GLH (235 TQT)
Equivalent in size to 0.5 of an
A Level.
2 units of which both are
mandatory and 1 is external.
Mandatory content (100%).
External assessment (50%).
An introduction to a vocational sector
through applied learning.
For learners for whom an element of
science would be complementary, the
qualification supports progression to
higher education when taken as part
of a programme of study that includes
other vocational or general
qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3
National Extended
Certificate in Applied
Science
360 GLH (455 TQT)
Equivalent in size to one
A Level.
4 units of which 3 are
mandatory and 2 are external.
Mandatory content (83%).
External assessment (58%).
Designed for learners who are
interested in learning about the sector
alongside other fields of study, with a
view to progressing to a wide range of
higher education courses, not
necessarily in applied science.
To be taken as part of a programme of
study that includes other appropriate
BTEC Nationals or A Levels.
Pearson BTEC Level 3
National Foundation
Diploma in Applied
Science
510 GLH (640 TQT)
Equivalent in size to 1.5
A Levels.
6 units of which 4 are
mandatory and 2 are external.
Mandatory content (76%).
External assessment (41%).
Designed as a one-year, full-time
course of study, or as part of a
two-year, full-time study programme
for learners who wish to study another
area alongside it, which may contrast
or complement the Applied Science
Foundation Diploma.
If taken as part of a programme
of study that includes other BTEC
Nationals or A Levels, it supports
progression to higher education.
Pearson BTEC Level 3
National Diploma in
Applied Science
720 GLH (890 TQT)
Equivalent in size to two
A Levels.
8 units of which 6 are
mandatory and 3 are external.
Mandatory content (83%).
External assessment (46%).
Designed to be the substantive part
of a 16–19 study programme for
learners who want a strong core
of sector study.
May be complemented with other
BTEC Nationals or A Levels to support
progression to higher education
courses in applied science.
The additional qualification(s) studied
allow learners either to give breadth to
their study by choosing a contrasting
subject, or to give their studies more
focus by choosing a complementary
subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science – 3
Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015
Title Size and structure Summary purpose
Pearson BTEC Level 3
National Extended
Diploma in Applied
Science
1080 GLH (1345 TQT)
Equivalent in size to three
A Levels.
13 units of which 7 are
mandatory and 4 are external.
Mandatory content (67%).
External assessment (42%).
Designed as a two-year, full-time
course that meets entry requirements
in its own right for learners who want
to progress to higher education
courses in the applied science sector
before entering employment.
Learners can either choose a
pathway which focuses on a particular
occupational area, such as biomedical
science, analytical and forensic
science, physical science; or take
a general route for further study in
the sector.
4 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science –Specification –
Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015
Structures of the qualifications at a glance
This table shows all the units and the qualifications to which they contribute. The full structure for this Pearson BTEC Level 3 National in Applied Science is
shown in Section 2. You must refer to the full structure to select units and plan your programme.
Key
Unit assessed externally Mandatory units Optional units
Biomedical Science Analytical and Forensic Science Physical Science
Unit (number and title)
Unit
size
(GLH)
Certificate
(180 GLH)
Extended
Certificate
(360 GLH)
Foundation
Diploma
(510 GLH)
Diploma
(720 GLH)
Extended
Diploma
(1080 GLH)
Extended Diploma (1080 GLH)
BS AFS PS
1 Principles and Applications of Science I 90 M M M M M M M M
2 Practical Scientific Procedures and
Techniques
90 M M M M M M M M
3 Science Investigation Skills 120 M M M M M M M
4 Laboratory Techniques and their
Application
90 M M M M M M
5 Principles and Applications of Science II 120 M M M M M
6 Investigative Project 90 M M M M M
7 Contemporary Issues in Science 120 M M M M
8 Physiology of Human Body Systems 60 O O O O O O O
9 Human Regulation and Reproduction 60 O O O O O O O
10 Biological Molecules and Metabolic
Pathways
60 O O O O O O O
11 Genetics and Genetic Engineering 60 O O O O O O O
12 Diseases and Infections 60 O O O O O O O
13 Applications of Inorganic Chemistry 60 O O O O O O O
14 Applications of Organic Chemistry 60 O O O O O O O
15 Electrical Circuits and their Application 60 O O O O O O O
16 Astronomy and Space Science 60 O O O O O O O
17 Microbiology and Microbiological
Techniques
60 O O O O O O
continued overleaf
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science – 5
Specification – Issue 4 – October 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2015
BS AFS PS
M O
Unit (number and title)
Unit
size
(GLH)
Certificate
(180 GLH)
Extended
Certificate
(360 GLH)
Foundation
Diploma
(510 GLH)
Diploma
(720 GLH)
Extended
Diploma
(1080 GLH)
Extended Diploma (1080 GLH)
BS AFS PS
18 Industrial Chemical Reactions 60 O O O O O O
19 Practical Chemical Analysis 60 O O O O O O
20 Biomedical Science 60 O O O O O
21 Medical Physics Applications 60 O O O O O
22 Materials Science 60 O O O O O
23 Forensic Evidence, Collection and
Analysis
60 O O O O O
24 Cryogenics and Vacuum Technology 60 O O O O
25 Forensic Fire Investigation 60 O O O O
26 Forensic Traffic Collision Investigation 60 O O O O
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