Physics
Physics can be defined as “the study of matter, energy, and the interaction between them”, but what that really means is that physics is about asking fundamental questions about matter and energy concepts and trying to answer them by observing and experimenting.
At BELS Physics Department provides students two international syllabus, which are IGCSE and IBDP, and Turkish national syllabus to find answers of their question about their physical environment.
Physics Department also takes part in some activities throughout the academic year with other science departments, like Science Fair, Newton’s Day, Einstein’s Day etc.
Courses
IBDP Physics
The IB Diploma Programme physics course exposes students to this most fundamental experimental science, which seeks to explain the universe itself— from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. Students develop traditional practical skills and techniques and increase facility in the use of mathematics, the language of physics. They also develop interpersonal skills as well as information and communication technology skills, which are essential in modern scientific endeavors and are important life-enhancing, transferable skills in their own right. Students, moreover, study the impact of physics on society, the moral and ethical dilemmas, and the social, economic and environmental implications of the work of physicists. Throughout this challenging course, students become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. Furthermore, students enjoy multiple opportunities for scientific study and creative inquiry within a global context.
Aims:
The aims of the course are to
- provide opportunities for scientific study and creativity within a global context that will stimulate and challenge students
- provide a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterize science and technology
- enable students to apply and use a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterize science and technology
- develop an ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize scientific information
- engender an awareness of the need for, and the value of, effective collaboration and communication during scientific activities
- develop experimental and investigative scientific skills
- develop and apply the students’ information and communication technology skills in the study of science
- raise awareness of the moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of using science and technology
- develop an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations associated with science and scientists
- encourage an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and the overarching nature of the scientific method
IGCSE Physics:
The structure of the course allows two entries: the extended level that covers the whole aspects of the course and requires a good understanding and the ability to apply theory to unfamiliar situations, and the core level where the extent and depth of knowledge and understanding of the topics listed above is less. At BELS all IGSSE students take extended level Physics and the students sit Paper1 – a multiple-choice paper, Paper3 – a short answer paper and Paper6 – an alternative to practical written paper, which assesses their practical abilities without the pressure of performing an experiment itself. If the student has been entered at the Extended level, then a grade between A* and G is possible. If the Core entry is selected then the grades available are C to G only.
Aims:
The aims of IGCSE Physics course are:
- to provide a worthwhile educational experience for all candidates, through well designed
- studies of experimental and practical science, whether or not they go on to study science beyond this level
- to enable candidates to acquire sufficient understanding and knowledge to comment on scientific news
- to develop abilities and skills that are needed to become a scientist
- to develop attitudes relevant to physics such as concern for accuracy and precision
- to stimulate interest in, and care for the environment
to promote an awareness that scientific theories and methods have developed, and continue to develop, as a result of co-operative activities of groups and individuals
Chemistry
“Chemistry is an experimental science that combines academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigational skills. It is often called the central science, as chemical principles underpin both the physical environment in which we live and all biological systems. Apart from being a subject worthy of study in its own right, chemistry is a prerequisite for many other courses in higher education, such as medicine, biological science and environmental science, and serves as useful preparation for employment” (IB Chemistry Guide, 2013).
Aims:
Prep class students will be able to learn basic chemistry terms and to conceptualize these terms by supporting with qualified experiments.
9th grade students will be introduced IGCSE Chemistry exam, and they will learn basic topics by the help of qualified experiments which will prepare them for the future.
10th grade students will be able to raise the level of success of our school in IGCSE exams which they will attend at the end of the year, and students will be aware of the importance of chemistry in daily life.
11th grade students will be getting involved in IB Chemistry, preparing experiments for IB internal assessment by having concrete experience of theoretical chemistry, and use of scientific approach while explaining daily life issues.
12th grade students will complete their IB internal assessments and Extended essays and at the end of the year, they are expected to reach outstanding success in IB DP, YGS and LYS exams
Courses
IGCSE Chemistry
The aims of the syllabus listed below describe the educational purposes of this course. The aims of the syllabus are the same for all students and are not listed in order of priority.
The main goals of the course are: providing a worthwhile educational experience for all candidates, through well-designed studies of experimental and practical science, whether or not they go on to study science beyond this level, enabling candidates to acquire sufficient understanding and knowledge to become confident citizens in a technological world, able to take an informed interest in scientific matters, recognizing both the usefulness and the limitations of scientific method, and appreciate its applicability in other disciplines and in everyday life, and be suitably prepared for studies beyond IGCSE in pure sciences, in applied sciences or in science dependent vocational courses
Chemistry Lesson: Prep Class
Content and Objectives of the Lesson:
Chemistry lesson is one hour per week for prep classes. Besides English terminology, security in the laboratory, glass materials, chemicals will be presented. Also, some basic experiments are done. Chemistry lesson is assessed with 2 written exams and 2 performance grade in prep classes. For the performance grades; participation, behavior, assignments, quizzes and portfolios will be taken into account.
Chemistry Lesson: Grade 9
Content and Objectives of the Lesson:
By following a common lesson plan that contains national curriculum and IGCSE program, topics that will be covered are; States of Matter, Atomic Structure, Compounds, Periodic Table, Mol Concept, chemical Reactions, Redox Reactions, Acids and Bases, Electricity and Chemical Changes are aimed to work. Chemistry lesson is assessed with 3 written exam and 3 performance grades in 9th grade. For the performance grades, participation, behavior, assignments, quizzes and portfolios will be taken into account.
Chemistry Lesson: Grade 10
Content and Objectives of the Lesson:
By following a common lesson plan that contains national curriculum and IGCSE program, topics that will be covered are; Energy in Chemical Reactions, Rate and Equilibrium, Behaviors in Metals, Air and Water, Non-metals and Some Compounds, Hydrocarbons and Polymers are aimed to work. Chemistry lesson is assessed with 3 written exam and 3 performance grades in 9th grade. For the performance grades, participation, behavior, assignments, quizzes and portfolios will be taken into account.
IB DP Chemistry
The IB Diploma Programme chemistry course combines academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigational skills through the experimental approach. Students learn the chemical principles that underpin both the physical environment and biological systems through the study of quantitative chemistry, periodicity, kinetics and other subjects. The chemistry course covers the essential principles of the subject and, through selection of options, allows teachers some flexibility to tailor the course to meet the needs of their students. Throughout this challenging course, students become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. Further, students enjoy multiple opportunities for scientific study and creative inquiry within a global context.
Chemistry Lesson: Grade 11
Course Content and Objective:
Grade 11 higher level (HL) chemistry classes cover both core topics and above in regards to: “Quantitative Chemistry, Atomic Structure, Periodicity, Bonding, Kinetics, Energetics, Equilibrium, Acids and Bases.” Grade 11 standard level (SL) chemistry classes covers core level for the topic of: “Quantitative Chemistry, Atomic Structure, Periodicity, Bonding, Kinetics, Energetics, Equilibrium, Acids and Bases.” In the higher level chemistry there are 30 planned hours for the experiments and in the standard level there are 25 planned experiment hours. Grade 11 Chemistry lessons are graded with using 3 written exams and 2 oral exams. A special rubric is used for giving performance grades to students. This rubric includes student’s attendance, attitude and behavior, homework, internal assessment reports, quizzes and student’s portfolio.
Chemistry Lesson: Grade 12
Course Content and Objective:
Grade 12 higher level (HL) chemistry classes cover core topics and above in regards to: “Oxidation and Reduction, Organic Chemistry and one of the Options Topics.” Grade 12 standard levels (SL) chemistry classes covers core level for the topic of: “Oxidation and Reduction, Organic Chemistry and one of the Options Topics”. In the higher level chemistry there are 30 planned hours for the experiments and in the standard level there are 25 planned experiment hours. Grade 12 Chemistry lessons are graded with using 3 written exams and 2 oral exams. A special rubric is used for giving performance grades to students. This rubric includes student’s attendance, attitude and behavior, homework, internal assessment reports, quizzes and student’s portfolio.
Biology
Biology is the science of living organisms and life processes, including the study of structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms. Biology is taught throughout our school and the Biology Department is very engaged, with many trips, activities, and practical works in which pupils can become involved. We believe pupils should have direct experience of the phenomena they are studying; and this is backed up by the hands on activities during the lessons.
The department takes full advantage of the fact that BELS is only 12.5 km from Teke River where pupils conduct their research for Internal Assessment of IBDP. As well as an annual ecology field trip to Teke River, there is another ecology trip to Dalyan, which is an environmentally protected area, hosting rarely found blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) and sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in Muğla, Turkey. During the trip, students carry out activities including line transect of Dalyan River and Köyceğiz Lake, water flow measurements and calculations, water quality tests (phosphate, nitrate, salinity, pH, temperature, turbidity), crab mark and recapture.
Pupils throughout the school have opportunities to take part in different trips and activities. Apart from those trips, we celebrate important science days such as “DNA Day and AIDS Awareness Day” under the name of science activities in cooperation with students and other science departments. The aim of these activities is to show the importance of the science considering real life examples and also we have fun.
We teach IGCSE Biology (0610) for 9th and 10th graders and IB Biology, Standard and Higher Level for 11th and 12th graders and also National Curriculum is followed for the preparations of YGS and LYS. During this course, students are exposed to the following topics and the related criteria in the frame of our aims.
Courses
IGCSE Biology (0610)
“…Cambridge IGCSE Biology places considerable emphasis on understanding and use of scientific ideas and principles in a variety of situations, including those which are well-known to the learner and those which are new to them. It is anticipated that programs of study based on this syllabus will feature a variety of learning experiences designed to enhance the development of skill and comprehension. This approach will focus teachers and learners on development of transferable life-long skills relevant to the increasingly technological environment in which people find themselves. It will also prepare candidates for an assessment that will, within familiar and unfamiliar contexts, test expertise, understanding and insight.” (Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus, Cambridge International Certificate, Biology, 0610)
Prep Year Biology Lesson
Besides having basic Biology lessons in English, it is aimed to learn laboratory safety issues, laboratory equipment and doing basic laboratory experiment. Students are evaluated 2 written exams and 2 performance homework in prep years.
9th grade Biology Lesson (IGCSE Biology-0610)
It is aimed to commit those topics; “Characteristics of living organism, Cell, Movement in and out of the cells, Enzymes, Digestive system, Circulatory system, Respiratory system, Homeostasis and Excretory system”. Grade 9 Biology course evaluation components include 3 written exams and 3 performance grades.
10th grade Biology Lesson (IGCSE Biology-0610) (3 hours)
It is aimed to commit those topics; “Coordination and Response, Reproduction in plants and Reproduction in humans, Inheritance and Genetics, Cell division, Growth and Development, Evolution and Ecology”. Grade 10 Biology course evaluation components include 3 written exams and 3 performance grades.
IBDP Biology (HL/SL)
IBDP Biology courses aim to provide opportunities for scientific study and creativity within a global context which will stimulate and challenge students, provide a body of knowledge, methods and techniques which characterize science and technology, develop an ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize scientific information, develop experimental and investigative scientific skills, encourage an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and the overarching nature of the scientific method. (International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, Biology Syllabus)
Grade 11 Biology Course (IBDP Biology HL/SL) (5 periods)
The core topics of this course are Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity whereas the higher level students are expected to learn additional higher level details about these topics. In addition to this, our plan is to provide the students with, 30 hours in HL and 20 hours in SL Biology course, practical work to be assessed as internal assessment. Grade 11 Biology course evaluation components include 3 written exams and 2 performance grades.
Grade 12 Biology Course (IBDP Biology HL/SL) (5 periods)
The core topic is Human Physiology whereas the higher level students are expected to learn additional higher level details about this topic. In addition to this core topic all students registered for this course are expected to learn one optional topic regarding the level they are taking this course. Our plan is to provide the students with, 30 hours in HL and 20 hours in SL Biology course, practical work to be assessed as internal assessment. Grade 11 Biology course evaluation components include 3 written exams and 2 performance grades.
IBDP Computer Science
Diploma Programme Computer Science students should become aware of how computer scientists work and communicate with each other and with other stakeholders in the successful development and implementation of IT solutions. While the methodology used to solve problems in computer science may take a wide variety of forms, the group 4 computer science course emphasizes the need for both a theoretical and practical approach.This course aims to:
information confidently and effectively
MEB ICT (INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES)
Today’s society is shaped with sudden growth and development of information technology (IT) which resulted in great dependence of society, in wider sense, on individual’s knowledge and competence in IT area. And although that dependence is growing from day to day, human right to education and information is not extended to IT area. This course aims to help students in mastering basic computer skills and with that hope we wish students to learn as much as you can and therefore become an active member of modern ICT society.
Curricula of ICT
Concepts of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)