FOR INFORMATION

1

KEY INFORMATION FOR PARENTS ON SEC 3 EXPRESS ELECTIVE SUBJECTS

Subject: Additional Mathematics

Relevance of subject

Needed for H2 Maths in A Levels Not a pre-requisite for Polytechnic courses

Pre-requisite skills required

Strong foundation in Lower Secondary Mathematics. Ability to grasp the more complex and abstract Mathematical concepts. A genuine interest and passion to solve complex problems.

Brief Content

Knowledge of the content of O Level Mathematics syllabus is assumed in the A Math syllabus and will not be tested directly, but it may be required indirectly in response to questions on other topics.

Algebra

● Equations and Inequalities ● Indices and Surds ● Polynomials and Partial Fractions ● Binomial Expansions ● Power, Exponential, Logarithmic, and Modulus Functions

Geometry & Trigonometry

● Trigonometric Functions, Identities and Equations ● Coordinate Geometry in Two Dimensions ● Proofs in Plane Geometry

Calculus ● Differentiation ● Integration

Assessment It consists of two written papers. Paper 1 ~ 2 hours, 80 marks, 44% Paper 2 ~ 2 hours 30 minutes, 100 marks, 56%

More information is available at: http://www.seab.gov.sg/oLevel/2013Syllabus/4047_2014.pdf (O Level) http://www.seab.gov.sg/nLevel/2014Syllabus/4044_2014.pdf (N Level)

Subject: Art

Relevance of subject

The Art syllabus at upper secondary is designed to provide students with the foundation for art-related and design courses

FOR INFORMATION

2

in Polytechnics and AEP in Junior Colleges.

Pre-requisite skills required

Students must have a keen interest in art and committed to work hard for coursework.

Brief Content (coursework)

Assessment

Subject: Combined Humanities

Relevance of subject

Compulsory Subject – choice of • Social Studies / Elective History

• Social Studies / Elective Geography

• Social Studies / Elective Literature (not offered to NA)

Students MUST include a Humanities subject in the L1R5 to qualify to go to a Junior College.

Help students to manage complexities, ambiguities and diverse perspectives in an increasingly globalized world. As the Humanities develop minds to be critical and analytical, it will place students in good stead to establish a career in a variety of sectors or jobs that require an Arts/Humanities background.

FOR INFORMATION

3

Pre-requisite skills required

Social Studies / Elective History

• Source-based Skills

- Interpret and evaluate sources to make sound analysis

- Draw conclusion based on a reasoned consideration of

evidence and arguments

• Structured-Response Skills (Social Studies)

- Understand issues and analyse them from different

perspectives

- Construct reasoned arguments and make informed

judgement and recommendations

• Essay Skills (History)

- Recall, select, organize and use contextual knowledge in context

- Explain and analyse cause and consequence,

continuity and change, significance within a historical

context

- Construct an explanation of events/issues and arrive at

a reasoned conclusion

Elective Geography

• Students must not be colour blind

• Geographical Investigation Skills

- Evaluate data collection methods and suggest

improvements

- Evaluate the validity & limitations of fieldwork evidence

and of the conclusions reached

- Make judgements, recommendations and decisions

• Essay Skills

- Comprehend and extract relevant information from

geographical data (numerical, diagrammatic, pictorial

and graphical forms)

- Use and apply geographical knowledge and

understanding to interpret geographical data

- Recognise patterns in geographical data and deduce

relationships

- Compare and contrast different views

- Present geographical data in an appropriate form and

an effective manner

- Draw conclusions based on a reasoned consideration of

evidence

FOR INFORMATION

4

Elective Literature

• Necessary Aptitude:

- Must enjoy reading as you will need to do a lot of it, esp.

close reading

- Interpret and evaluate texts to sieve attitude, tone,

literary devices, intent, reliability of speaker, etc.

• Essay Skills:

- Be able to draw evidential conclusions from the given

texts

- Organising those conclusions in a logical manner

- Ensuring that you write with precise vocabulary and are

able to illustrate your analysis and evaluation of

situations, characters and relationships using PQRL

Brief Content

Social Studies

Issue 1: Exploring Citizenship and Governance Inquiry Focus – Working for the good of society: Whose responsibility is it? Guiding Questions:

1. What does it mean for me to be a citizen of my country? 2. How do we decide on what is good for society? 3. How can we work for the good of society?

Issue 2: Living in a Diverse Society Inquiry Focus – Living in a diverse society: Is harmony achievable? Guiding Questions:

1. What is diversity? 2. Why is there greater diversity in Singapore now? 3. What are the experiences and effects of living in a diverse

society? 4. How can we respond in a diverse society?

Issue 3: Being Part of a Globalised World Inquiry Focus – Being part of a globalised world: Is it necessarily good? Guiding Questions:

1. What does it mean to live in a globalised world? 2. How do we respond to tensions arising from some

economic impacts of globalisation? 3. How do we respond to tensions arising from some cultural

impacts of globalisation? 4. How do we respond to tensions arising from some security

impacts of globalisation?

Elective Geography

Theme 1: Physical Geography

• Living with Tectonic Hazards

• Variable Weather and Changing Climate

FOR INFORMATION

5

Theme 2: Human Geography

• Global Tourism

• Food Resources

Theme 3: Geographical Skills and Investigations

• Geographical Data and Techniques

• Geographical Investigations (Field Work)

Elective History Impact of World War I

• Peace Settlement

• Attempts at collective security by the League of Nations

Rise of authoritarian regimes and their impact in the interwar

years (up to 1939)

• Case study of Communist Russia

- Reasons for the rise of Stalin

- Impact of Stalin’s rule in Russia

• Case study of Nazi Germany

- Reasons for the rise of Hitler

- Impact of Hitler’s rule on Germany

Outbreak of World War II in Europe

• Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe

• Reasons for the defeat of Germany

Outbreak of World War II in Asia Pacific

• Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Asia Pacific

• Reasons for the defeat of Japan Cold War and the Bi-polar World Order

• Reasons for the Cold War in Europe

Manifestation of the Cold War outside Europe

• Case study of Korean War, 1950 – 1953

- Reasons for the conflict

• Case study of Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

- Reasons for the conflict

Reasons for the end of Cold War

Elective Literature

• Focus on 4 areas => Plot, Character, Setting & Atmosphere

and Style

• 1 text for 2 years

• The unseen (poetry and prose)

• Most likely: Gwee Li Sui (ed.): Telltale: 11 Stories

FOR INFORMATION

6

Assessment Social Studies Section A: Source-Based Case Study [35%] Section B: Structured-Response Question [15%]

Elective Geography Section A: Geographical Investigations [13%] Section B: Structured Questions [12%] Section C: Structured Questions [25%]

Elective History Section A: Source-Based Case Study [30%] Section B: Structured-Essay Questions [20%]

Elective Literature Fully Exam-based, summative assessment 2 questions per section, students to select one each from the text and from the unseen [25% each section, 50% total]

Subject: Design & Technology

Relevance of subject

A course of study that emphasises design principles involving research techniques, reasoned application of design knowledge and conceptual skills in design communication with applied technology. It serves as a foundation course for students who may want to pursue studies in the field of design industry.

Pre-requisite skills required

Possess an aptitude for graphical communication skills coupled with a good analytical mindset to enable the understanding of the design concept principles. The design coursework (Project) academic aims are as follows:

1. Foster positive values and develop dispositions for

enterprise, creativity and innovation through research,

idea conceptualisation and development in response to

needs identified.

2. Exercise judgements of an aesthetic, technical and

economic nature.

3. Develop an awareness and appreciation for design in

areas of social, culture and environment.

Brief Content (coursework)

The subject content is organised into three sections, namely: Section 1: Design Section 2: Technological Areas

Section 3: Materials and Practical Processes

The coursework are designed to achieve the holistic approach towards the design conceptual thinking process and technological feasibility for practical prototyping. The

FOR INFORMATION

7

coursework emphasizes the desired real-time documentation of the design and thinking processes through design journal. The design journal encompasses the critical component of evidencing the environmental activity identification, ideation, detail development, technological suitability and construction processes. The coursework duration will span a 7-8 months periods. Upon which, MOE external moderators will give a finalised grading for the coursework assessment.

Sections 1 and 2 will be examined in Paper 1 Written Examination. Section 3 will be examined in Paper 2 Design Project.

Assessment

Subject: Food and Nutrition

Relevance of subject

This subject serves as a foundation course for students who are interested in Applied and Food Sciences in Polytechnics.

Pre-requisite skills required

Good report writing skills, keen interest in the science behind food, task-oriented

Brief

Content Paper 1 (2 hours) – Written Paper This will test the candidates’ knowledge of theory and practice in response to the assessment objectives.

Paper 2 – Coursework Candidates will be given an assignment at the beginning of the examination year which must be conducted under teacher supervision. It should be completed for assessment by the end of July or early August of the examination year. The assignment requires a problem-solving and investigative approach, with an emphasis on experimental work. A total of 15–20 hours of curriculum time must be assigned to discuss, facilitate and carry out the experimental and practical work required.

FOR INFORMATION

8

Assessment will focus on the analysis of the task, development of a plan, recording and interpreting experimental results, decision; as well as a methodical approach in the production and presentation of the final products. The evaluation will require candidates to draw conclusions by interpreting the findings and evaluating the outcomes.

Assessment There will be 2 papers: Paper 1: 40% (100 marks) Candidates are to answer all questions in Sections A and B. Candidates are to answer three questions in Section C consisting of two compulsory questions and either part (a) or (b) of the final question.

Section A: consisting of short-answer type questions (25 marks) Section B: consisting of structured type questions (30 marks) Section C: consisting of open-ended type questions (45 marks)

Paper 2: 60% (100 marks) Task Analysis (10 marks) Research and Development: – information gathering (12 marks) – investigation (10 marks) – information synthesis (12 marks) Decision Making (10 marks) Planning (10 marks) Execution: – organisation and management (8 marks) – manipulation (8 marks) – product and presentation (8 marks) Evaluation (12 marks) Total: (100 marks)

Subject: Pure Geography

Relevance of subject

Students who want to take the Arts course in Junior College should seriously consider studying a 2nd Humanities subject

Pre-requisite skills required

• Must not be colour blind

• Geographical Investigation Skills

- Evaluate data collection methods and suggest

improvements

- Evaluate the validity & limitations of fieldwork

evidence and of the conclusions reached

- Make judgements, recommendations and decisions

FOR INFORMATION

9

• Essay Skills

- Comprehend and extract relevant information from

geographical data (numerical, diagrammatic, pictorial

and graphical forms)

- Use and apply geographical knowledge and

understanding to interpret geographical data

- Recognise patterns in geographical data and deduce

relationships

- Compare and contrast different views

- Present geographical data in an appropriate form and

an effective manner

- Draw conclusions based on a reasoned consideration

of evidence

Brief Content

Theme 1: Physical Geography

• Coasts

• Living with Tectonic Hazards

• Variable Weather and Changing Climate

Theme 2: Human Geography • Global Tourism

• Food Resources

• Health and Diseases

Theme 3: Geographical Skills and Investigations • Topographical Map Reading Skills

• Geographical Data and Techniques

• Geographical Investigations

Assessment Paper 1 Section A: Geographical Investigation [25%] Section B: Structured Question [25%]

- Coast

- Tourism

Paper 2 Section A: Structured Question [25%]

- Living with Tectonic Hazards

- Variable Weather and Climate

Section B: Structured Question [25%] - Food Resources

- Health and Diseases

FOR INFORMATION

10

Subject: Principles of Accounts

Relevance of subject

This subject forms part of a broad-based education to equip students with strong fundamentals for future. It is a relevant subject in accounting, finance and business courses in the Polytechnics and ITEs. It places emphasis on the understanding and application of accounting knowledge to develop lifelong skills and values that will be of value in the increasingly complex world of business.

Pre-requisite skills required

Pass in English (above 60%)

Pass in Maths (above 60%)

Brief Content

Principles of Accounts is designed to provide students with a meaningful basic introduction to financial accounting and to develop an appreciation of the discipline of accounting. It is the intent of this syllabus that students develop the abilities to prepare, communicate and use accounting information, and appreciating the need for ethical conduct. Contents include:

Introduction to Accounting

The Accounting Information System

Accounting Elements

The concept of Double Entry System

Special Journals

Cash Book and Petty Cash Book

Bank Reconciliation

Trial Balance

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Prepayments and Accruals

Inventory

Non-current Assets

Trade Receivables

Trade Payables and Long-term borrowings

Control Accounts

Correction of Errors

Incomplete Records

Business Entities

Financial Statement Analysis

Assessment Paper 1 – consist of 4 short structured questions (40 Marks) Paper 2 – consist of 4 long questions (60 Marks)

(70% drawing up of accounts and 30% theory)

FOR INFORMATION

11

Subject: Pure Chemistry/Pure Biology/Pure Physics

Relevance of subject

Essential to do choose a science course in JC Essential for choice of a career in Science or engineering

Pre-requisite skills required

A strong understanding of concepts of lower secondary Science

Brief Content

Practical is covered in terms of skills and knowledge application and assessed in a single practical exam at end of two years. Theory is covered over two years and assessed in a final national exam. Biology: Principles of Biology, Maintenance and Regulation of Life Processes, Continuity of Life, Man and His Environment Chemistry: Experimental Chemistry, Atomic Structure and Stoichiometry, Chemistry of Reactions, Periodicity, Atmosphere, Organic Chemistry Physics: Measurement, Newtonian Mechanics, Thermal Physics, Waves, Electricity and Magnetism.

Assessment

Papers 1 &2: Theory component (80%) Paper 3: Practical component (20%)

Subject: Combined Science (Physics & Chemistry) or (Biology & Chemistry)

Relevance of subject

A combination of Physics & Chemistry would give a good understanding towards engineering and most chemistry based courses. A combination of Biology & Chemistry would give a good understanding towards life sciences and most chemistry based courses.

Pre-requisite skills required

A good understanding of concepts of lower secondary Science

Brief Content

Practical is covered in terms of skills and knowledge application and assessed in a single practical exam at end of two years. Theory is covered over two years and assessed in a final national exam. Science (Biology): Principles of Biology, Maintenance and Regulation of Life Processes, Continuity of Life, Man and His Environment

FOR INFORMATION

12

Science (Chemistry): Experimental Chemistry, Atomic Structure and the Mole Concept, Chemistry of Reactions, Periodicity, Atmosphere, Organic Chemistry Science (Physics): Measurement, Newtonian Mechanics, Thermal Physics, Waves, Electricity and Magnetism.

Assessment

Students sit for a single subject of combined science: Theory (85%) Practical (15%)