Junior Certificate Science

The Junior Certificate Science syllabus has three major components: Physics, Chemistry and Biology. It is concerned with the development of scientific knowledge, skills, concepts and attitudes which enable students to understand the world around them. Science is offered at two levels: Higher Level and Ordinary Level. All students- irrespective of syllabus level- are required to study all three components.

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Practical Work

Breakdown of the Junior Certificate Examination marks

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Practical Work

Students carry out numerous mandatory experiments in small groups from First Year to Third Year. Students enjoy the hands-on experience in a laboratory environment. Practical activities are an essential element of the course. They serve to encourage accurate observation and careful recording; to promote logical patterns of thought; to develop manipulative skills; to arouse and maintain interest in the subject; and to make biological, chemical and physical phenomena more real through actual experience. Experiments also encourage the development of safe work practices in the school laboratory.

Students keep an accurate account of all experiments carried out over the course of the three years. There are a total of thirty mandatory experiments: ten from Physics, ten from Chemistry and ten from Biology. In addition, students carry out a number of non-mandatory experiments. Both mandatory and non-mandatory experiments may appear in questions on the Junior Certificate examination paper.

Breakdown of Exam

• Coursework A: 10 %
• Coursework B: 25%
• Written Exam: 65%

   1. Coursework A: Experiments

Coursework A consists of the experiments and investigations specified in the syllabus. Students carry out 30 mandatory experiments and a number of extra non-mandatory experiments. If a student misses an experiment, s/he can still be awarded maximum marks for Coursework A, by substituting missed mandatory experiments with completed non-mandatory experiments. Note: A maximum of two mandatory experiments can be substituted in each section. Students are responsible for keeping a record of all experiments over the three years (in a hardback copy) and for submitting this copy to the exam secretary on the day of the Junior Certificate exam. It is of extreme importance that students attend class on the day that experiments are carried out.

   2. Coursework B: Additional Investigations

Coursework B consists of two additional specified investigations or one investigation of the student's choice. Students carry out these investigations in Third Year during class time and submit a detailed account of each investigation in a pro forma report . Three investigations are sent to the schools in November of Year Three, one from each section. Below are the 2010 Investigation titles:

• Physics

Investigate two factors that affect the distance taken for a toy car to stop after rolling down a ramp.

• Chemistry

Compare by way of investigation the abilities of different indigestion remedies to neutralise excess stomach acid.

• Biology

Qualitatively investigate two factors that affect the uptake of water by a plant.

   3. Terminal Examination

The final paper in Science tests students' knowledge and understanding of the theory of the subject. There are separate Ordinary and Higher Level exmination papers. At each level, the paper consists of three sections: Physics, Chemistry and Biology. This paper is worth 65%. It is important to note that students of Science have the opportunity to obtain 35% of their final grade (through Courseworks A and B) prior to sitting the State exams in June.