NATURAL SCIENCES - Department of Higher Education and Training

NATURAL SCIENCES

Department Higher Education and Training

123 Francis Baard Street

Private Bag X174

Pretoria, 0001

South Africa

Tel: +27 12 312 5911

Cape Town Office

103 Plein Street

Parliament Towers

Private Bag X9192

Cape Town, 8000

Tel: +27 21 469 5175

Fax: +27 21 461 4761

Website: .za

Design and Layout by: Mzelers Media.

ISBN: 978-1-77018-790-0

NATURAL SCIENCES

CONTENTS

PAGE

Introduction

4

Taxonomy and Weighting of Exit-Level Outcomes

6

Aims

Exit-Level Outcomes

Scheme of Assessment

Structure of the Examination Papers

Guidelines for Lecturers and Materials Developers

Guidelines for Practicals

Assumptions about prior knowledge and skills

The Nature of Science

Introduction

Rationale for content selection

The Nature of Science Content Structure

Physics

Introduction

Rationale for Content Selection

Physics Content Structure

Details of Content Coverage for Physics

General Information for Physics

Biology

Introduction

Rationale for Content Selection

Biology Content Structure

Details of Content Coverage for Biology

General Information for Biology

Chemistry

Introduction

Rationale for Content Selection

Chemistry Content Structure

Details of Content Coverage for Chemistry

General Information for Chemistry

Suggested Study Hours

3

4

5

6

6

7

8

11

13

13

13

13

16

16

16

16

17

25

28

28

28

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34

36

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45

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NATURAL SCIENCES

Introduction

The field of Natural Sciences investigates physical, chemical and biological phenomena. This is

done through scientific enquiry, and application of scientific models, theories, laws and

principles in order to explain and predict events in the natural environment. The Natural

Sciences field includes the subjects Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Physics focuses on the

physical properties of matter and energy and the interactions and relationships between these,

and attempts to develop mathematical and other models to explain physical phenomena.

Chemistry focuses on the properties of matter and materials and the ways in which they change

from one form to another and react with one another. Biology is the scientific study of living organisms

from the molecular level to their interactions with one another and their environments.

This collection of subjects also deals with society��s need to understand how the natural environment

works in order to benefit from it and responsibly care for it. Scientific knowledge changes over

time as scientists improve their knowledge and understanding. However, science is based on thorough

investigation, debate and argument until a new idea is accepted by the scientific community.

NQF Level 4 Mathematics and English are recommended as co-requisites for Natural Sciences,

given the mathematical and language demands of Natural Sciences. In Natural Sciences, we

recommend that the Nature of Science be studied first, followed by Physics, Chemistry and

Biology in parallel, to ensure progressive development within each of these sections.

Aims

1. Provide a worthwhile educational experience for all students to enable them to acquire

sufficient understanding and knowledge to:

1.1. Become confident citizens of South Africa, able to take or develop an informed interest in

matters of scientific importance;

1.2. Recognise the usefulness, and limitations, of the scientific method, and to appreciate its

applicability in other disciplines and in everyday life;

1.3. Be suitably prepared for further study in related scientific fields.

2. Develop thinking and process skills that:

2.1. Are relevant to the study of science;

2.2. Encourage curiosity about the natural world;

2.3. Develop accurate and precise observation;

2.4. Are useful in everyday life;

2.5. Promote logical and critical thinking and self-reflection;

2.6. Promote effective communication.

3. Develop attitudes relevant to science such as:

3.1. Objectivity;

3.2. Integrity;

3.3. Creativity;

3.4. Perseverance.

4. Stimulate interest in and care for the South African and global environment.

5. Promote an awareness that:

5.1. The study and practice of science are co-operative activities, which are subject to socioeconomic and political influences;

5.2. The applications of science may benefit or harm the individual, the community and/or the

4

NATURAL SCIENCES

environment;

5.3. If used responsibly, science can enhance meaningful social, political and economic

participation.

Exit-Level Outcomes

By the end of this course Students Should be Able to:

1. Understand and use subject-specific knowledge with regard to:

1.1. Scientific phenomena, facts, concepts, definitions, principles, theories and laws;

1.2. Scientific vocabulary, terminology and discourse (language of science);

1.3. The process and application of scientific investigations and techniques;

1.4. Scientific and technological applications with their social, economic and environmental

implications.

2. Know and apply subject specific skills, namely:

2.1. Find, organise, synthesise and communicate information from a variety of sources;

2.2. Translate information from one form to another, e.g. table to graph, graph to text, text to

diagram;

2.3. Manipulate numerical and other data;

2.4. Use data to identify patterns, trends and draw inferences;

2.5. Draw conclusions based on reasoning;

2.6. Hypothesise and predict;

2.7. Solve problems in familiar and novel contexts;

2.8. Evaluate information or investigative procedure.

3. Understand, adopt and apply the values related to the subject, namely:

3.1. Use scientific knowledge effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the

environment and the health of others;

3.2. Make responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking;

3.3. Understand, adopt and display the values of ethical methodology and reporting of

science.

These Exit-Level Outcomes cannot be precisely specified in the syllabus content because

questions testing such skills may be based on novel contexts or information that is unfamiliar to

the candidate. In answering such questions, candidates are required to use principles and

concepts that are within the syllabus and apply them in a logical, reasoned or deductive manner

to a novel situation.

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