Applied Science Revision — Open College Network Northern Ireland Other General Qualification
Complete Open College Network Northern Ireland Other General Qualification Applied Science specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Specification Topics
- OCN NI Level 5 Certificate in Chromatography and Spectroscopy Analysis - Core Content
- OCN NI Level 3 Extended Certificate in Laboratory Skills - Core Content
- OCN NI Level 4 Certificate in Applied Mathematics for Laboratory Science - Core Content
- OCN NI Level 3 Certificate in Laboratory Skills - Core Content
- OCN NI Level 4 Diploma in Industrial Science - Core Content
- OCN NI Level 4 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Quality Control and Analysis - Core Content
- OCN NI Level 4 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Industry Regulation - Core Content
- OCN NI Level 5 Certificate in Regulation in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Distribution - Core Content
- OCN NI Level 3 Diploma in Laboratory Skills - Core Content
- OCN NI Level 4 Certificate in Industrial Laboratory Skills - Core Content
- Chemical Analysis and Detection
- The Living Body
- Exploring our Universe
- Health Science
- Life Processes and Living Things
- Materials and their Chemical Properties
- Mathematics for Science
- Physical Processes
- Planning, Conducting and Reporting on Scientific Projects
- The Environment and Human Influences
Top Exam Board Tips
- When describing experimental procedures, always reference standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality assurance measures to demonstrate professional practice.
- Show all steps in calculations, including unit conversions and dilution factors, as partial credit may be awarded for correct method even if final answer is numerically inaccurate.
- In practical assessments, verbally justify each critical step (e.g., column choice, wavelength selection) to the assessor to evidence depth of understanding.
- Evaluate results against expected values or reference spectra, commenting on sources of error and their likely impact on reliability, as this demonstrates higher-order competency.
- When being assessed on practical tasks, verbalize your actions as you perform them to demonstrate your understanding and decision-making process.
- For portfolio-based assessments, ensure all evidence is logically organized and cross-referenced to the relevant learning outcomes and performance criteria.
- In written assignments, always relate theoretical principles back to specific laboratory examples or case studies to show applied understanding.
- Before practical exams, practice the step-by-step sequences of common procedures so that they become automatic, reducing the chance of error under observation.
- Always state assumptions when performing statistical tests and discuss their validity in the assignment context.
- Show all steps in error propagation calculations clearly, referencing standard formulae for addition, multiplication, and powers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing retention time with capacity factor, or misunderstanding the concept of resolution and its impact on peak separation.
- Incorrectly integrating overlapping peaks, often due to overlooking baseline drift or solvent front interference in chromatograms.
- Misapplying the Beer-Lambert law by using absorbance and transmittance interchangeably, or not accounting for dilution factors in final concentration calculations.
- Neglecting instrument warm-up and system suitability checks, leading to unreliable baselines or signal drift.
- Failing to consider matrix effects and interferences in spectroscopic measurements, causing systematic errors in quantification.
- Learners often fail to zero or tare a balance before weighing, leading to systematic measurement errors.
- A frequent mistake is neglecting to label samples clearly and legibly, causing potential mix-ups or invalid results.
- Many learners overlook the need to check calibration status of equipment before use, assuming it is always accurate.
Key Terminology & Definitions
- Core knowledge
- Practical application
- GMP and GDP regulatory frameworks
- Quality risk management
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Auditing and self-inspection
- Compliance and enforcement
- Health and Safety in the Laboratory
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Use of Basic Laboratory Equipment
- Data Recording and Reporting
- Quality Assurance and Control
- Professional Conduct and Ethics
- Laboratory health and safety management
- Quality assurance and control systems