Singapore Secondary 2 Science (G3) Syllabus

This syllabus outlines the key learning outcomes for the General 3 (G3) Science course in Secondary 2. It is based on the 2021 G2/G3 Lower Secondary Science syllabus implemented starting with the 2021 Secondary One Cohort, updated as of April 2024. The syllabus emphasizes scientific literacy through Core Ideas, Practices of Science, and Values, Ethics, and Attitudes. The curriculum is structured around five key themes:

A. The Scientific Endeavour

This theme introduces the nature of scientific knowledge, inquiry skills, and the impact of scientific applications.

Essential Takeaways:

• Science is a study of natural phenomena observable in everyday life.
• Scientific knowledge is derived from observation, experimentation, analysis, and human creativity. This knowledge is reliable yet subject to change with new evidence.
• Applications of scientific knowledge can have both beneficial and harmful consequences.

Learning Outcomes: Students should be able to:

• Demonstrate curiosity about natural phenomena.
• Understand how scientific knowledge is built and is subject to change.
• Use scientific inquiry skills (posing questions, investigating, evaluating, communicating).
• Understand accuracy, precision, and sources of error in measurement.
• Demonstrate safety consciousness during investigations.
• Discuss the impact (beneficial and harmful) of scientific applications.
• Understand the need for responsible use of scientific knowledge and technology.

B. Diversity

This theme explores the classification and properties of matter, focusing on both physical and chemical characteristics.

Essential Takeaways:

• The diversity of resources in the natural world is crucial for the survival of living things.
• Responsible and sustainable use of resources is essential.
• Systematic study helps us understand the complexity of the natural world.

Learning Outcomes:

• Exploring Diversity of Matter by its Physical Properties:
• Describe observable and measurable physical properties (electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, melting/boiling point, strength, hardness, flexibility, density).
• Understand how mass and volume affect density.
• Classify objects and evaluate material usage based on physical properties.
• Measure length, mass, and volume accurately.
• Apply the concept of volume displacement.
• Predict whether an object will sink or float based on density.
• Calculate density using the appropriate formula and units.
• Make informed choices about sustainable material use.
• Exploring Diversity of Matter by its Chemical Composition:
• Understand that elements are the basic building blocks of matter.
• Recognise different types of elements.
• Understand that compounds are formed from chemically combined elements and have different properties from their constituent elements.
• Understand that mixtures are made up of elements and/or compounds not chemically combined.
• Distinguish between solute, solvent, and solution.
• Distinguish between elements, compounds, and mixtures.
• Classify matter based on chemical composition.
• Investigate factors affecting the rate of dissolving and solubility.
• Appreciate the importance of knowing the chemical composition of everyday items.
• Exploring Diversity of Matter using Separation Techniques:
• Explain how to separate mixture constituents based on properties using various techniques (magnetic attraction, filtration, evaporation, distillation, paper chromatography).
• Provide examples of separation techniques in everyday life and industries.
• Appreciate the importance of water conservation and the use of separation techniques in water treatment.

C. Models

This theme introduces the concept of models as representations of phenomena and their use in understanding the world.

Essential Takeaways:

• Models are simplified representations of phenomena.
• Models are used to explain phenomena and make predictions.

Learning Outcomes:

• Ray Model of Light:
• Understand that the ray model represents the path of light.
• Describe the effects and uses of reflecting surfaces.
• Explain how reflection is affected by surface texture.
• Understand that changes in the speed of light cause refraction.
• Describe some effects of refraction.
• Describe the dispersion of white light.
• Be aware of the effects of EM radiation.
• Be aware of the impact of light produced by technology.
• Model of Cells - the Basic Unit of Life:
• Understand the functions of cell parts, including the nucleus and DNA.
• Understand that typical plant and animal cells are models.
• Recognise that cells are the basic building blocks of multicellular organisms.
• Explain the significance of the division of labor at the cellular level.
• Identify cell parts using a microscope.
• Infer whether an organism is a plant or animal based on cell structure.
• Appreciate the relationship between technology and knowledge-building.
• Model of Matter - The Particulate Nature of Matter:
• Understand that the particulate nature of matter is a model.
• Describe the arrangement and movement of particles in different states of matter.
• Explain expansion, contraction, and conservation of mass using models.
• Explain melting and boiling using models.
• Understand that diffusion is the net movement of particles from higher to lower concentration.
• Appreciate scientific attitudes in creating and revising models.
• Model of Matter - Atoms and Molecules:
• Describe the structure of an atom and its components (nucleus, protons, neutrons, electrons).
• Compare the size of atoms to everyday objects.
• Understand that atoms of an element have a unique number of protons.
• Understand that a molecule is a group of chemically combined atoms.
• State the numbers and types of atoms in a chemical formula.
• Compare atoms and molecules.
• Appreciate how models are constructed, justified, and revised.
• Be aware of the social and ethical issues related to technologies based on atomic knowledge.

D. Interactions

This theme examines the relationships between different forms of matter and the effects of energy transfer.

Essential Takeaways:

• Interactions involve energy transfer, causing changes in motion and/or conditions.
• Interactions can influence system stability, requiring responsible choices.
• Interactions with the environment drive scientific and technological development.

Learning Outcomes:

• Application of Forces and Transfer of Energy:
• Understand contact and non-contact forces.
• Recognise that interactions involve energy transfer, causing changes in rest/motion, turning effects, size/shape, and pressure.
• Measure force and compare weight and mass.
• Investigate pressure using the formula pressure = force/area.
• Understand energy conversion and conservation.
• Appreciate daily life phenomena associated with pressure.
• State the SI unit of work and energy.
• Identify work as energy transfer.
• Appreciate the destructive power of forces in nature.
• Appreciate the uses and environmental impact of various energy sources.
• Transfer of Heat Energy and its Effects:
• State the SI unit of temperature.
• Describe effects and applications of expansion and contraction.
• Explain heat transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Understand factors affecting heat energy loss/gain through radiation.
• Explain applications of heat transfer.
• Be aware of the causes of climate change.
• Chemical Changes:
• Identify chemical changes as those forming new substances.
• Use word equations to represent chemical reactions.
• Recognise that chemical reactions involve atomic rearrangement and conserve mass.
• Be aware of different types of chemical changes (combustion, decomposition, oxidation, respiration, neutralisation).
• Investigate chemical reactions and the effects of solutions on indicators.
• Investigate chemical changes under different conditions.
• Be aware of the benefits and harms of chemical reactions.
• Interactions within Ecosystems:
• Explain the importance of environmental conservation.
• Explain the importance of physical factors for organism survival.
• Recognise how adaptive traits and environmental changes affect survival.
• Understand ecosystems as interactions between communities and their environment.
• Understand interrelationships between organisms.
• Understand energy flow through food chains and food webs.
• Describe nutrient recycling through decomposers.
• Evaluate the impact of human activities on the environment.
• Be aware of cultural practices of sustainable living.

E. Systems

This theme explores the concept of systems as interconnected parts working together and the impact of disruptions.

Essential Takeaways:

• A system is a whole consisting of interconnected parts with specific functions.
• System functions can be disrupted by malfunctioning parts.

Learning Outcomes:

• Electrical Systems:
• Describe current, potential difference, and resistance, stating their SI units.
• Describe applications of the chemical, heating, and magnetic effects of electric current.
• State how changes to electrical systems can cause hazards.
• State safety measures for electrical energy use.
• Explain power and its relation to electrical systems, stating its SI unit.
• Draw and interpret circuit diagrams and set up circuits.
• Investigate how resistor arrangement affects current.
• Investigate the effect of resistance on current.
• Calculate the cost of using electrical appliances.
• Be aware of ways to reduce electrical energy consumption.
• Human Digestive System:
• Explain the importance of the digestive system.
• Explain how the main parts of the digestive system work together.
• Describe how the digestive system digests food.
• State that the end products of digestion are used for cellular processes.
• Investigate the effect of enzymes in digestion.
• Appreciate the importance of sensible food and lifestyle choices.
• Be aware of the beneficial and harmful effects of bacteria.
• Transport Systems in Living Things:
• Describe the functions of blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries).
• Understand that xylem transports water and mineral salts, while phloem transports food in plants.
• Explain the need for a transport system in multicellular organisms.
• Explain how diffusion facilitates transport in humans and plants.
• State that osmosis facilitates water absorption in plants.
• Be aware of the detrimental effects of drug abuse on the transport system.
• Be aware of ethical issues related to heart transplants.
• Human Sexual Reproductive System:
• Recognise that the union of egg and sperm nuclei forms a fertilised egg.
• Recognise that the reproductive system facilitates heredity.
• Recognise that sexual reproduction results in a unique combination of genetic information.
• State some physical changes during puberty.
• Describe the roles of the male and female reproductive systems in fertilisation.
• Describe the female reproductive system's role in the menstrual cycle.
• Outline how birth control methods prevent conception.
• State the harmful consequences of STIs.
• State that some STIs can be cured by antibiotics, but not viral STIs.
• Be aware of the negative effects of substance abuse on the foetus.
• Suggest reasons for the world's growing human population.

Items marked with an asterisk (*) are optional for the G2 course and are therefore considered core components of the G3 syllabus. This syllabus provides a framework for understanding the key concepts and skills students are expected to acquire in the Singapore Secondary 2 Science (G3) course.