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This course covers a wide range of topics in Physics, Biology and Chemistry.

Junior Cycle Science Overview
Junior Cycle Science in is an optional subject in St. Mary’s designed to ignite students’ curiosity about the world around them. The course provides a balance between hands-on experiments and theoretical learning, allowing students to explore the natural world through the lens of science. It covers four key strands: Biological World, Chemical World, Physical World, and Earth and Space. Each of these strands helps students gain a broad understanding of science and its relevance to everyday life, laying the foundation for more advanced study in senior cycle subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Agricultural Science.

Skills Development and Future Opportunities

Junior Cycle Science plays a crucial role in developing essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific literacy. These skills are not only important for students interested in pursuing science in senior cycle and beyond, but also for understanding the scientific and technological issues that affect our modern world. By choosing Junior Cycle Science, students will build a strong foundation that will benefit them in future studies and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

Course Content

Biology

  • Biodiversity
  • Breathing System
  • Cells
  • Circulatory System
  • Digestive System
  • Ecology & Habitat Study
  • Evolution
  • Genetics
  • Human Health
  • Human Reproduction
  • Photosynthesis
  • Plant Growth & Reproduction
  • Respiration

Chemistry

  • Acids & Bases
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Common Gases
  • Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
  • Metals & Non-Metals
  • Separating Mixtures
  • Solutions
  • States of Matter
  • The Atom
  • The Periodic Table

Earth & Space

  • Earth in Balance
  • Earth, Sun & Moon
  • Energy Sources
  • Origin of the Universe
  • Space
  • Water & Carbon Cycles

Physics

  • Density
  • Electricity
  • Energy
  • Forces
  • Measurement
  • Speed, Velocity & Acceleration

Assessment

  • Written Exam
  • 2 Classroom-Based Assessments
  • Assessment Task

Written Exam

The final exam is a two-hour, common-level paper. This is worth 90% of overall marks.

Classroom-Based Assessments

Students are required to complete 2 CBAs. CBA 1 is titled ‘Extended Experimental Investigation’. Students must formulate a scientific hypothesis and conduct an experimental investigation to test this hypothesis. CBA 2 is titled ‘Science in society investigation’. Students will research a socio-scientific issue and analyse the information they collect to draw evidence-based conclusions about the issue.

Assessment Task

This is worth 10% of overall marks. Students must complete a written reflection task that is related to CBA 2. The content and format of this task may vary from year to year.

Any tips for doing well in Junior Cycle Science?

  • Make sure you go over your definitions as many questions will ask you to define a key term.
  • In Physics make sure you learn off your formulas.
  • The exam tends to cover most of the topics so it’s not a good idea to take shortcuts by leaving out topics.
  • Don’t forget to go over your experiments as these always make up a big part of the exam. Practicing past exam papers is especially important in Science.
  • Study one topic at a time and then go through that topic on Studyclix comparing your answer with the marking scheme.

Future Careers

Studying Science equips students with skills that are useful for a variety of careers in Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Healthcare, Space Science, Teaching and Biomedical Technologies.