Unit 1: Measurement

Evolution of experimental science

G.C.E Advanced Level
New Science Curricula
Chemistry, Physics, Biology
Based on the seminar presentation on 22 Feb 2009
at ViduJaya Science exhibition, University of Sri
Jayewardenepura

Basic concepts in scientific methodology

Mathematical concepts necessary for
physics

Brief description of vectors

Graphical representation of experimental
results and graphical analysis

In addition to the present measuring

G.C.E.(A/L) Physics – 2009 instruments,

Triple beam balance
Unit Topic

Four beam balance
1 Measurement
Electronic balance
2 Mechanics
Digital clocks are discussed briefly
3 Oscillations and waves

Error, fractional error and percentage
4 Thermal Physics error of a measurement
5 Gravitational Fields
Influence of relative magnitudes of
errors in the final results of an
experiment

Unit 3: Oscillations and Waves

G.C.E (A/L) Physics 2009 (contd
(contd…
…)

Reflectionof light has been omitted
Unit Topic because it has been included in
G.C.E.(O/L) syllabus
6 Electrostatic Field
7 Current Electricity
Longitudinal vibrations in rods has been
8 Electromagnetism included
9 Electronics
10 Mechanical Properties
Seismic
waves, Richter scale and
11 Matter and Radiation Tsunami are discussed briefly

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Doppler effect-
effect- apparent change in
frequency due to the movement of both
observer and source in addition to other

Unit 11: Matter and Radiation
situations

Briefdescription of fusion reaction that occur

Sonic boom
in stars (production of elements)

Relations between frequency and
intensity of sound

Properties and uses of LASER beams
are discussed under electromagnetic
waves

Unit 8: Electromagnetism

Interactions
between electricity and G.C.E.(A/L) Chemistry 2009
magnetism are discussed under one topic,
Unit Topic
whereas in the present syllabus these are
1 Structure and Properties of Matter
under two separate topics.
2 Chemical Calculations
3 States of Matter

Force on a current carrying conductor in a
4 Energetics
magnetic field and force on a moving charged
5 Chemistry of s, p and d-block elements
particle in a magnetic field are discussed under
6 Basic concepts of Organic Chemistry
one sub topic.
7 Hydrocarbons

Unit 9: Electronics

Unipolar transistors

Field effect transistors

Operational amplifier-
amplifier-Golden rules 1 and 2

Op. amplifier as a voltage comparator

Electronic memory

Single memory element with NAND/NOR

gates

Basic SR flip-
flip-flop

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Unit 1: Structure and Properties of Matter

Fundamentals of this unit are covered under
the chemistry component of grades 10 and
11 science.

Historicalapproach was omitted and

amalgamated the following units of the
present syllabus

Atomic Structure
Chemical Bonding
States of Matter

Unit 2: Chemical Calculations

Thisunit covers several basic concepts of
chemistry and relevant calculations. The
content of the unit was discussed under
several units in the present syllabus.

Unit 3: States of Matter

In the present syllabus, it is under unit 11.

Unit 4: Energetics

Content of the unit is similar to the content of

Unit 04 – Energetics of present syllabus. In
addition, the concept "randomness" was
introduced qualitatively.

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Unit 12: Equilibrium
Unit 15: Chemistry and Industry

Following systems that equilibrium law could be
In addition to the content of the present syllabus
applied has been introduced.
related to this topic following industries and
industrial applications were introduced.

Production of cement

Extraction of Al, S and Cu

Most of the content covered under the electrode
Uses of Alums and Silicone
equilibrium in the present syllabus has been
transferred to the Unit 13 – Electrochemistry of the
Polymeric substances
new syllabus. "Buffer capacity" has been introduced
Surface coatings
as a new concept .

Fiber reinforced plastics

Crude Oil

Unit 16: Environmental Chemistry

Unit 13:Electro Chemistry

In addition to the content of the present

It covers most of the content given under the syllabus related to this topic following new
heading electrode equilibrium of unit 12 of concepts were introduced.
present syllabus. In addition, following
Major cycles
concepts and applications has been
Salinity
introduced.

Alkalinity

Decomposition potential, Back electromotive force and
over voltage
Waste management

Different types of cells
Quality of water

Differences between the functioning cells and
electrochemical cells.

Applications of conductivity measurements

Unit 14: Analytical Chemistry

Most of the tests and experiments of G.C.E.(A/L) Biology -2009
inorganic component of the present syllabus Unit Topic
are covered under this unit. Following
analytical techniques have been introduced. 1 Introduction to Biology

Spectroscopic methods 2 Chemical and cellular basis of life

Recrystallization 3 Diversity of organisms

Gravimetry 4 Nutrition

Potentiometry 5 Respiration

Conductometry 6 Transportation

Chromatography

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Unit Topic
7 Co-
Co-ordination and homeostasis
Unit 1:Introduction to Biology
8 Excretion

Unit 2:Chemical and Cellular Basis of
9 Support and movement
10 Reproduction, growth and development Life
11 Heredity
12 Environmental biology
These units cover the content of the
13 Microbiology
14 Applied biology
Core biology unit of present syllabus
and energy relationships

Unit 3 –Diversity of organisms

The number of units in the proposed
biology syllabus has been increased
to 14 units from the present 9 units.

Functioning plant and Functioning
animal units have been divided into
7 main units.

Classification and nomenclature
is covered in this unit

Domains has been introduced

Details of reproductive
structures of plants not required

Only the life cycles of plants

Basic statistics for biology unit has been
Unit 4 - Nutrition

omitted.

Under the disorders of the

Classroom dissections on animals have
been omitted. human digestive system food

Practical component has been related disorders have been
incorporated in the form of 5E model included .
group activities as well as separate follow

Unit 7 – Coordination and
up practical sessions .

Animal dissections have been totally
homeostasis
omitted from the practicals.
practicals.
Basic structure of human skin is
included.

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Unit 12-
12-Environmental biology

Unit 8 - Excretion
Content covered in the Man and

Under the disorders of the human excretory Environment unit and Biodiversity unit is
system bladder and kidney stones have been addressed here.
included .

Diagnostic role of urine has been added.
Eco systems in Sri Lanka has been
elaborated

Unit 9 – Support and Movement
Unit 13-

Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis have been
included under disorders and
abnormalities.

Characteristics of muscle tissue have been
added

Unit 10 – Reproduction, growth and development

Earlysigns of pregnancy and assisted
reproduction have been introduced
13-Microbiology

Prions
have been introduced , due to their
importance as disease causing agents.

Legal
limits in releasing waste water into water
bodies according to Sri Lankan standards is
added.

Unit 11-
11-Heredity
Unit 14-
14- Applied Biology

Areas omitted :

Subject areas covered in Continuity of

Coconut pests - Coconut Leaf Miner,
life unit is addressed here.
Coconut Caterpillar

Sociobiological problems of using
Paddy pests - Swarming caterpillars,
genetically modified organisms have Case bearers
been added .
Parasites - Entamoeba histolytica ,
Ascaris lumbricoides

Areas included :

Coconut Pests - Mites

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Under Aquaculture, Aquatic plants have been
added as a species grown in Sri Lanka

Plant diseases caused by micro-

micro-organisms have
been addressed in general, instead of
emphasizing diseases of paddy alone