In reality, all of these subjects are intimately intertwined, and our teaching reflects this. Each subject borrows from the other ones and, thanks to this unique interdisciplinary approach, our students are able to appreciate more deeply the intricacies and complexities of natural phenomena.
Head of Department
Dr Jakub Mikoszewski
Biology, University of Warsaw
Eye-opening discussions, unforgettable practicals and exceptional teachers – those are the things that make learning the Natural Sciences at Akademeia one of the best experiences you could ever have. Studying these subjects offers a completely new outlook on the surrounding world and the skills to explore its complexity and beauty to its fullest. All those aspects definitively make the department worth discovering, if not pursuing, by all new students.
Paulina, Year 10 student
Our students and teachers have three well-equipped lab rooms at their disposal. During Physics, Chemistry, and Biology laboratory sessions, not only do students perform experiments, but also they learn how to interpret and present data. Experiments conducted during Biology lab classes include, for instance, using oxygen sensors and data logging system to observe aerobic respiration or testing the impact of various factors on permeability of membranes including the use of colorimetric devices.
Dr Jakub Mikoszewski
Head of Natural Sciences Department
Biology
| SYLLABUS STRUCTURE | |
|---|---|
| IGCSE (YEARS 10 & 11) | Section 1 – The Nature and Variety of Living Organisms Section 2 – Structures and Functions in Living Organisms Section 3 – Reproduction and Inheritance Section 4 – Ecology and the Environment Section 5 – Use of Biological Resources |
| A LEVEL (YEARS 12 & 13) | Unit 1 – Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health Topic 1 – Molecules, Transport and Health Topic 2 – Membranes, Proteins, DNA and Gene Expression Unit 2 – Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation Topic 3 – Cell Structure, Reporoduction and Development Topic 4 – Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation Unit 3 – Practical Skills in Biology I Unit 4 – Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity Topic 5 – Energy Flow, Ecosystems and the Environment Topic 6 – Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics Unit 5 – Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology Topic 7 – Respiration, Muscles and the Internal Environment Topic 8 – Coordination, Response and Gene Technology Unit 6 – Practical Skills in Biology II |
Extra-curricular activities offered
- Medicine Club
- Biochemistry Elective
- Biology Olympiad Elective
If you are curious about the universe, that’s definitely a place for you. Personally, I feel that Natural Sciences A Level courses would be challenging without expanding your knowledge beyond the concepts covered in the classes. This pushed us to reach for books, textbooks and peer-reviewed articles, which enabled us to expand our interests.
Robert, Year 12 student
Studying Physics is a journey through space, time, and curiosity, that same contagious curiosity that pervades children when they admire the marvels of the world where we live. Studying Physics is in fact rediscovering that genuine spirit of enquiry that comes naturally to children. In other words, taking this journey means staying young forever.
Dr Giovanni Peralta
Senior Physics Teacher
Physics
| SYLLABUS | |
|---|---|
| IGCSE (YEAR 10) | Unit 1 – Forces and Motion Unit 2 – Electricity Unit 3 – Waves |
| IGCSE (YEAR 11) | Unit 4 – Energy resources and transfers Unit 5 – Solid, liquids and gases Unit 6 – Magnetism and Electromagnetism Unit 7 – Radioactivity and particles Unit 8 – Astrophysics |
| A LEVEL (YEAR 12) | Topic 1 – Mechanics Topic 2 – Materials Topic 3 – Waves and particle nature of light Topic 4 – Electric circuits |
| A LEVEL (YEAR 13) | Topic 5 – Further Mechanics Topic 6 – Electric and Magnetic fields Topic 7 – Nuclear and Particle Physics Topic 8 – Thermodynamics Topic 9 – Nuclear Decay Topic 10 – Oscillations Topic 11 – Astrophysics and Cosmology |
Extra-curricular activities offered
- Theoretical Physics Club
- Experimental Physics Club
One of the most remarkable things about studying Natural Sciences at Akademeia is the people. You can immediately see just how passionate and immersed in the subjects they are – both students and teachers.
In today’s world, this department seems like an obvious choice, providing by far the broadest spectrum of specialities and career paths. The knowledge and skills offered will help fight future pandemics, combat global warming, cure genetic diseases or, who knows, maybe even assist in setting up a self-sustaining human colony on Mars.
Aleksandra, Year 10 student
Chemistry
| SYLLABUS STRUCTURE | |
IGCSE (YEARS 10 & 11) | Section 1 – Principles of chemistry Section 2 – Inorganic chemistry Section 3 – Physical chemistry Section 4 – Organic chemistry |
A LEVEL (YEARS 12 & 13) | Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Introduction to Organic Chemistry Topic 1: Formulae, Equations and Amount of Substance Topic 2: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table Topic 3: Bonding and Structure Topic 4: Introductory Organic Chemistry and Alkanes Topic 5: Alkenes Unit 2: Energetics, Group Chemistry, Halogenoalkanes and Alcohol Topic 6: Energetics Topic 7: Intermolecular Forces Topic 8: Redox Chemistry and Groups 1, 2 and 7 Topic 9: Introduction to Kinetics and Equilibria Topic 10: Organic Chemistry: Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Spectra Unit 3: Practical Skills in Chemistry I Unit 4: Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry Topic 11: Kinetics Topic 12: Entropy and Energetics Topic 13: Chemical Equilibria Topic 14: Acid-base Equilibria Topic 15: Organic Chemistry: Carbonyls, Carboxylic Acids and Chirality Unit 5: Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry Topic 16: Redox Equilibria Topic 17: Transition Metals and their Chemistry Topic 18: Organic Chemistry – Arenes Topic 19: Organic Nitrogen Compounds: Amines, Amides, Amino Acids and Proteins Topic 20: Organic Synthesis Unit 6: Practical Skills in Chemistry II |
Extra-curricular activities offered
- RED (Research, Explore and Develop) Elective
- UK Chemistry Olympiad Elective
Our students have received offers from the following top universities:
- University of Oxford, Biochemistry
- University of Oxford, Biological Sciences
- University College London (UCL), Biochemistry
- University College London (UCL), Natural Sciences
- University College London, Psychology
- University College London, Astrophysics
- Durham University, Natural Sciences
- Imperial College London, Biotechnology
- Imperial College London, Biological Sciences
- Imperial College London, Biochemistry
- Imperial College London, Physics with Theoretical Physics
- King’s College London, Biochemistry
- King’s College London, Psychology
- The University of Edinburgh, Astrophysics
- University of Warwick, Engineering
- University of Bath, Natural Sciences
