Agricultural Science is a broad multidisciplinary field that encompasses aspects of exact, natural, economic and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture and the environment. The CAPE Agricultural Science Syllabus was developed in response to the fact that agriculture and food are prime industries in the region and are key components in the development of policies that drive economic growth, utilise natural resources and sustain the environment. It is imperative that the agricultural industry in the Caribbean has persons who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to undertake and sustain the development of the agricultural sector leading to the goal of wealth creation through increased food production; and food security and safety. Additionally, there is increasing recognition of the role that agriculture plays in improving nutrition and health. Persons who complete this course will be better positioned not only to be farmers, but to make evidence-based and informed judgments and decisions on implementing best practices to enhance the sector over time and on preserving the environment.

Animation and Game Design is a course of study that focuses on the process of creating motion and shape change illusion as well as the art of applying design and aesthetics for animation and game development. It facilitates the creative and deliberate use of traditional and new media to represent thoughts, issues, and messages to various audiences. Through a collaborative, highly practical and industry-driven approach, Animation and Game Design will provide opportunities for students not only to develop their aesthetic and technical competence, but to express creativity and conceptualise projects that integrate technology, arts and media to address local and international issues while creating a source of education, entertainment and employment. This syllabus will also empower students for further studies or immediate entry into the job market whether through waged or entrepreneurial (self) employment, by providing goods or services on any feasible scale. The study of the Animation and Game Design Syllabus will facilitate the achievement of core Twenty-first century student outcomes which include the mastery of information, media and technology skills, life and career skills, and learning and innovation skills. Given the current importance and dynamism of the field of Animation and Gaming both at the regional and international levels, the syllabus will help to increase the cadre of culturally aware practitioners such as content creators, animators, graphic artists, sound engineers/technicians and actors trained in the use of industry-specific skills to solve design and communication problems. This will result in the region being poised to secure and utilise the skillsets and knowledge base that are essential to building and sustaining the digital economy in the Caribbean. Ultimately, this course of study in CAPE® Animation and Game Design will develop the Ideal Caribbean Person who, as articulated by CARICOM Heads of Government at their 18th Summit, is emotionally secure with a high level of self-confidence and self-esteem; sees ethnic, religious and other diversity as a source of potential strength and richness; has an informed respect for our cultural heritage; demonstrates multiple literacies, independent and critical thinking, questions the practices of past and present and brings this to bear on the innovative application of science and technology to problem solving; demonstrates a positive work ethic; and values and displays the creative imagination in its various manifestations and nurtures its development in economic and entrepreneurial spheres in all other areas of life. This course of study will also help candidates to meet the criteria of the UNESCO Pillar of Learning, which are, Learning to know, Learning to do and Learning to live together, and Learning to transform themselves and society.

The main emphasis of the applied course is on developing the ability of the students to start with a problem in non-mathematical form and transform it into mathematical language. This will enable them to bring mathematical insights and skills in devising a solution, and then interpreting this solution in real-world terms. Students accomplish this by exploring problems using symbolic, graphical, numerical, physical and verbal techniques in the context of finite or discrete real-world situations. Furthermore, students engage in mathematical thinking and modelling to examine and solve problems arising from a wide variety of disciplines including, but not limited to, economics, medicine, agriculture, marine science, law, transportation, engineering, banking, natural sciences, social sciences and computing.

Art and Design offers a significant introduction to observation, research, production, cultural studies, aesthetics and art criticism that are embodied in a wide range of disciplines such as the Humanities, Science, Engineering, and Information and Communication Technologies. The verbal and visual characteristics of this course aids in the development of cognitive, psycho-motor and attitudinal skills. It provides a solid foundation for the development of knowledge and skills necessary for careers in creative production, marketing, commercial enterprise and manufacturing industries, as well as a variety of aesthetic enterprises. It also provides candidates with the observational skills relevant to a wide range of occupational areas and fields of study especially Law, Criminology and Medicine. In addition, it aims to prepare Caribbean students to respect their environment and live harmoniously in their communities.

Biology is the scientific study of living organisms. The study of this subject leads to an understanding and appreciation of the concepts of life at all levels and hence to a greater respect and reverence for life. The interconnected web of life and the unique role of the human species are integral to the dynamic value of the biosphere. The CAPE Biology Syllabus prepares students to acquire knowledge about how to protect, sustain, conserve and improve the variety of life in the ecosphere. It also provides a foundation for persons wishing to pursue careers in biological, environmental, agricultural, medical, paramedical and applied science.

The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) is designed to provide certification of the academic, vocational and technical achievement of students in the Caribbean who, having completed a minimum of five years of secondary education, wish to further their studies. The examinations address the skills and knowledge acquired by students under a flexible and articulated system where subjects are organised in 1-Unit or 2-Unit courses with each Unit containing three Modules. Subjects examined under CAPE may be studied concurrently or singly. The Caribbean Examinations Council offers three types of certification at the CAPE level. The first is the award of a certificate showing each CAPE Unit completed. The second is the CAPE Diploma, awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed at least six Units, including Caribbean Studies. The third is the CXC Associate Degree, awarded for the satisfactory completion of a prescribed cluster of eight CAPE Units including Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies and Integrated Mathematics. Integrated Mathematics is not a requirement for the CXC Associate Degree in Mathematics. The complete list of Associate Degrees may be found in the CXC Associate Degree Handbook. For the CAPE Diploma and the CXC Associate Degree, candidates must complete the cluster of required Units within a maximum period of five years. To be eligible for a CXC Associate Degree, the educational institution presenting the candidates for the award, must select the Associate Degree of choice at the time of registration at the sitting (year) the candidates are expected to qualify for the award. Candidates will not be awarded an Associate Degree for which they were not registered.

Caribbean Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that draws on perspectives, largely from the humanities and social sciences to provide an understanding of Caribbean society and cultures. This interdisciplinary subject provides students with the opportunity to study issues relevant to the distinctive physical, political and socio-economic challenges facing the small states which comprise the region. Such study integrates perspectives from various disciplines including, Cultural Studies and Ethics, Economics, Government and Politics, History, International relations, Physical and Human Ecology, and Sociology, as tools for understanding Caribbean society and culture. The CAPE Caribbean Studies Syllabus defines the Caribbean region in terms of its geography, common historical experiences, cultural identities, participation in the global community, intermixing of diverse ethnic and racial groups, and its continuing struggle for survival and sovereignty. Persons who successfully complete this course will have developed an appreciation of the challenges and potential of being Caribbean citizens. They will understand their roles and responsibilities in preserving and contributing to their Caribbean heritage and the importance of regional cooperation for the development of the Caribbean.

Chemistry is a branch of science concerned with the properties and interactions of the substances of which matter is composed. This CAPE Chemistry Syllabus provides the specific knowledge base and the skills and attitudes associated with advanced study of the subject. It is structured to ensure that students become aware of their moral, social and ethical responsibilities, as well as the benefits to be derived from the practical application of scientific knowledge. Completion of the course of study outlined in this syllabus will enable persons to apply chemical principles to societal concerns such as birth control, communicable diseases, environmental pollution, global warming and the depletion of natural resources.

Computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their implementation and application in computer systems. The CAPE Computer Science Syllabus provides persons with advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes to enable them to understand the uses and the impact of computer technologies, and to use the technology to create new computer applications for all areas of human activity. This syllabus provides opportunity for the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes as preparation for further studies in Computer Science and the world of work.

Design is a discipline that focuses on the creation of a plan or convention for the construction of an object, system or measurable human interaction. It encapsulates designing of architectural blueprints, engineering drawings, business and manufacturing processes, circuit diagrams, and fashion, textiles and apparel construction through design thinking and the application of the elements and principles of design which are common to most, if not all fields and industries. Technology focuses on the advancements and evolution of a modern digital society based on technological and experiential innovation. This course of study in Design and Technology will provide opportunities for students to be engaged in a process where they capture creative, innovative solutions that are functional and aesthetically pleasing while contributing to wealth creation. The multidisciplinary nature of the syllabus will also prepare students for further studies or immediate entry into the world of work through employment or entrepreneurial ventures that allow for the fusion of art, science, technology and engineering on a blank canvas to create processes or products that can be commercialised. Through this study of Design and Technology, students will also develop transferrable critical thinking, collaboration, communication, innovation, artistry, digital, scientific, environmental and solutions oriented focused skills that are relevant to aesthetic, economic, and socio-political development in the Twenty-first Century. The Design and Technology Syllabus will also help to increase the pool of culturally sensitive and creative designers who are solutions driven to serve as industrial, user interface and experience, product, narrative, service, furniture, spatial automotive, agriculture, entertainment, jewellery, fashion and textile designers. Design and Technology will contribute to the development of Ideal Caribbean Persons who are independent, critical and divergent thinkers who apply the principles of science, engineering, technology and sustainability to designing while living in harmony with the environment. These persons also place high value on entrepreneurship and innovation as a vehicle for economic growth. This course of study will also help candidates to meet the criteria of the UNESCO Pillars of Learning, which are, Learning to know, Learning to be, Learning to do, Learning to live together, and Learning to transform themselves and society.

n the Caribbean, knowledge and information are increasingly communicated through digital images and electronic media. The creation and manipulation of digital media serves to disseminate this information and build bridges to the evolving national, regional and international society in the digital era. Digital Media competencies are therefore of great relevance and practical value. By increasing the cadre of digital media practitioners, such as content creators, animators, web developers, graphic artists and mobile app developers, the region secures the skillsets and knowledge base that are essential to building and sustaining the digital economy in the Caribbean. The CAPE Digital Media Syllabus offers students the opportunity to acquire a variety of experiences and skills in the areas of digital media conceptualisation, design and development. It also fosters interest and enjoyment in the practical application, production and consumption of digital media and seeks to develop informed citizens, competent practitioners and raise the standard of digital media production among students and across industry.

Economics is the study of how society provides for itself by making the most efficient use of scarce resources so that both private and social welfare may be improved. The CAPE Economics Syllabus is intended to promote knowledge and understanding of the principles and concepts of economics and to foster an appreciation of the various methods used by economists in analysing economic problems. The knowledge and skills acquired will enable students to contribute to the economic and social development of the Caribbean.

Entrepreneurship seeks to empower students by providing the knowledge, skills and attitudes to achieve entrepreneurial success in a variety of settings. It places emphasis on the individual’s acumen to realise opportunity, assess risk, and apply the skills necessary to transform innovative ideas into viable, sustainable ventures. The CAPE Entrepreneurship syllabus provides students with the mindset that supports creativity and innovation needed to transform ideas into ventures that create value and wealth. The syllabus seeks to fill that void in the continuum from idea generation to venture creation. Several governments, as well as many non-governmental organisations in the region have implemented entrepreneurial initiatives which offer training, tax incentives, funding and start-up support to individuals to assist them in actualising entrepreneurial ambitions. The syllabus apprises students of ways to access these training, technical support, funding and legislative incentives. The syllabus addresses fundamentals of entrepreneurial behaviour and thinking and engages students in practical experiences through idea generation and opportunity identification to implementing, managing and harvesting a venture. The syllabus also acquaints students with the essentials of business ownership, legal and regulatory frameworks, the importance of market research, feasibility analysis and the development of a business model in order to successfully compete in the global marketplace. The syllabus provides a good foundation for further studies in Entrepreneurship, starting and operating a venture and/or becoming an entrepreneurial employee (intrapreneur).

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary branch of science that deals with the interactions among physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment. The subject employs qualitative and quantitative approaches to the study of environmental systems. The CAPE Environmental Science Syllabus provides opportunities for students to acquire knowledge and skills to identify, prevent and solve problems and prepares them for careers in diverse fields related to environmental management and to sustainable development of the Caribbean Region. The aims of the syllabus include development of an understanding of the interdisciplinary and holistic nature of the environment and the interactions between people and the environment.

Food and Nutrition is a technical discipline that involves the study of food and its relation to health. Its purview is on the raising of standards in food science, food preparation and service. Substantial priorities are, therefore, placed on the development of competencies in food science, functional foods, food and nutrition technology, food production and security and food preparation. The emphasis of food preparation is placed on meal planning, preparation, service and analysis. Integral to these are nutritional principles and values, food habits, healthy eating and physical activity. This syllabus in Food and Nutrition is designed to prepare students for employment in the rapidly growing hospitality service industry, to change attitudes and to empower individuals and communities to exercise control over their health. The syllabus seeks to provide problem-based and experiential learning in eating choices, weight outcomes, diet quality, prevention of increase in lifestyle diseases and staying healthy, rather than treating illnesses. In addition, the syllabus provides additional opportunity for access to an advanced standing in existing tertiary level education programmes, to allow graduates to enter the world of work and be better prepared to pursue a wide range of contemporary careers related to diet, fitness and well-being.

The French syllabus emphasises the development of the four language skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) and the acquisition of knowledge of Francophone culture through the study of selected topics and contemporary writings of relevance to Caribbean society. While the topics have been selected to provide knowledge and understanding of issues pertinent to Caribbean people in a global context, emphasis will be on language competence rather than on detailed technical knowledge. In developing this syllabus, care has been taken to ensure that it meets the knowledge, understanding and skill requirements common to post-secondary syllabuses in Modern Languages. Completion of this syllabus provides a foundation for further studies and development for the world of work. This approach reflects an awareness of our regional context and is geared specifically to students learning Modern Languages in the Caribbean as part of the international community.

Geography is the study of the physical features of the earth and how it is impacted on by human activity. The development of geographical understanding and the ability to appreciate how physical and human forces interact to give identity to places and to create recognisable spatial patterns is central to the study of this syllabus. It facilitates an understanding of the causal relationships at different geographic scales – local, regional and global. In addition, it contributes to an understanding of the central issues emerging from human exploitation of natural resources. It seeks to prepare persons for the increasing number of work situations in which integrative and graphical skills are important. Moreover, the syllabus focuses on the development of an awareness of the importance of living in harmony with the environment, respect for cultural heritage and an understanding of the need for the sustainable use of resources and the consequences of their misuse. This syllabus consists of two Units, comprising three Modules each. Each Module is compulsory. Each Unit comprises a physical, human and integrated component. Each Unit forms a coherent course of study, which should prepare candidates for the world of work, and further studies at the tertiary level.

The study of CAPE® Green Engineering will enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to sustain the natural environment. This course of study will enable students to apply Scientific, Technological, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) principles to improve their environment at the local, regional and global levels. The study of Green Engineering will enhance quality of life for present and future generations, while providing wealth creation through new and innovative job opportunities and other economic possibilities including entrepreneurship. By pursuing this course, students will develop twenty-first century engineering skills and ethics required for sustainable development. The syllabus is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and competencies that are required for further studies, as well as for the world of work.

This syllabus is designed to provide a coherent view of the significance of information in a socio-economic context. Emphasis is placed on application of knowledge, problem-solving using the computer, and proficiency in using productivity tools. This approach has been adopted in recognition of the impact that changes in the availability of information can have on the educational process. Focus is placed on getting students to develop skills for life in an increasingly technological world, rather than on students absorbing a myriad of seemingly unrelated facts which may have only short term relevance. The syllabus aims to expose candidates to a wide range of Information and Communication Technologies, affording learning experiences which include an element of discovery, and foster self-confidence. Candidates would also acquire computer-related practical skills that will prepare them to meet the region’s need for increased productivity and efficiency in a fast changing technological world. The syllabus has been organized to offer certification at the General Proficiency only.

The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) is designed to provide certification of the academic, vocational and technical achievement of students in the Caribbean who, having completed a minimum of five years of secondary education, wish to further their studies. The examinations address the skills and knowledge acquired by students under a flexible and articulated system where subjects are organised in 1-Unit or 2-Unit courses with each Unit containing three Modules. Subjects examined under CAPE may be studied concurrently or singly. The Caribbean Examinations Council offers three types of certification at the CAPE level. The first is the award of a certificate showing each CAPE Unit completed. The second is the CAPE Diploma, awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed at least six Units, including Caribbean Studies. The third is the CXC Associate Degree, awarded for the satisfactory completion of a prescribed cluster of eight CAPE Units including Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies and Integrated Mathematics. Integrated Mathematics is not a requirement for the CXC Associate Degree in Mathematics. The complete list of Associate Degrees may be found in the CXC Associate Degree Handbook. For the CAPE Diploma and the CXC Associate Degree, candidates must complete the cluster of required Units within a maximum period of five years. To be eligible for a CXC Associate Degree, the educational institution presenting the candidates for the award, must select the Associate Degree of choice at the time of registration at the sitting (year) the candidates are expected to qualify for the award. Candidates will not be awarded an Associate Degree for which they were not registered.

Law is a system of rules usually enforced through a series of institutions. The CAPE Law Syllabus assists persons who wish to embark on further study and training for entry into the legal profession; it also addresses the needs of other persons engaged in occupations which require some knowledge of the law, such as clerks, paralegals, administrators, managers, the police and other public officers. It serves to inform persons of their rights and obligations, and to inculcate in them certain positive values, which are necessary in a civilised society.

he Caribbean experience has provided the context for a rich and varied literature which has earned a crucial place in the global family of literatures in English. The CAPE Literatures in English Syllabus aims to develop an understanding of the nature and function of literature and the methods of literary study. It seeks to encourage critical reading, interpretation, evaluation and an appreciation of, and an informed personal response to literature. On completion of the syllabus, students should understand, and be able to use the vocabulary of literary criticism and develop informed, sensitive, and balanced responses to the complexity of human nature as portrayed in literary works. It also seeks to assist in moulding the ideal Caribbean person. Such a person displays a high level of self-esteem, lives in harmony with the environment, values human life, and takes pride in our cultural heritage and diversity. The Literatures in English syllabus comprises two Units, each containing three Modules corresponding to the three literary genres: Drama, Poetry, and Prose Fiction. Each Unit incorporates the subject core which comprises the knowledge and understanding derived from a range of readings; concepts and skills in literary study, and related assessment objectives. The core comprises four texts drawn from a range of historical periods between 1370 and the present day. All prescribed core texts are works originally written in English.

The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) is designed to provide certification of the academic, vocational and technical achievement of students in the Caribbean who, having completed a minimum of five years of secondary education, wish to further their studies. The examinations address the skills and knowledge acquired by students under a flexible and articulated system where subjects are organised in 1-Unit or 2-Unit courses with each Unit containing three Modules. Subjects examined under CAPE may be studied concurrently or singly. The Caribbean Examinations Council offers three types of certification at the CAPE level. The first is the award of a certificate showing each CAPE Unit completed. The second is the CAPE Diploma, awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed at least six Units, including Caribbean Studies. The third is the CXC Associate Degree, awarded for the satisfactory completion of a prescribed cluster of eight CAPE Units including Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies and Integrated Mathematics. Integrated Mathematics is not a requirement for the CXC Associate Degree in Mathematics. The complete list of Associate Degrees may be found in the CXC Associate Degree Handbook. For the CAPE Diploma and the CXC Associate Degree, candidates must complete the cluster of required Units within a maximum period of five years. To be eligible for a CXC Associate Degree, the educational institution presenting the candidates for the award, must select the Associate Degree of choice at the time of registration at the sitting (year) the candidates are expected to qualify for the award. Candidates will not be awarded an Associate Degree for which they were not registered.

Management of Business procedures involved in managing a successful business enterprise. The CAPE Management of Business syllabus provides not only a good foundation for further study of Management of Business and other related disciplines at the tertiary level, but also opportunities for students to function not only in existing business organisations, but also as successful entrepreneurs having developed the required knowledge and understanding of management principles, practices, and skills required to address managerial problems and the challenges faced by businesses

The Performing Arts is a critical component in the expansion of our experience and consciousness of the world in which we live. It plays a vital role in the formation of cultural identity in the development of a Caribbean aesthetic. The syllabus comprises Units on Business for the Arts, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Drama, and Music. It focuses primarily on Product Development and Management, the histories of the various performing arts, Performance and Production as well as Techniques and Skills that will encourage and enhance an appreciation for the cultural diversity of the region. Acquired techniques and skills in financing, marketing, research, design, application of artistic as well as technical theories, production and performance will provide students with an informed knowledge base to encourage growth in all spheres of artistic endeavour as well as exposing them to the range of possibilities of the varied career choices for the world of work as well as for further education and training.

Physics is the study of nature, conducted in order to understand how the world around us behaves. Physics study matter and its motion, as well as space and time and explores concepts such as force, energy, mass, and charge. The CAPE Physics Syllabus will enable persons to be aware of the laws and theories of Physics that influence every aspect of their physical existence and to acquire understanding and knowledge of technological and scientific application of Physics, especially in the Caribbean context. The CAPE Physics Syllabus is structured to ensure that students become aware of their moral, social, and ethical responsibilities as well as the benefits intrinsic to the practical application of scientific knowledge in careers in the field of science. The syllabus also helps to develop an understanding of the scientific process, its usefulness and its limitations.

Mathematics is one of the oldest and most universal means of creating, communicating, connecting and applying structural and quantitative ideas. Students doing this syllabus will have already been exposed to Mathematics in some form mainly through courses that emphasise skills in using mathematics as a tool, rather than giving insight into the underlying concepts. This syllabus will not only provide students with more advanced mathematical ideas, skills and techniques, but encourage them to understand the concepts involved, why and how they “work” and how they are interconnected. It is also to be hoped that, in this way, students will lose the fear associated with having to learn a multiplicity of seemingly unconnected facts, procedures and formulae. In addition, the course should show them that mathematical concepts lend themselves to generalisations, and that there is enormous scope for applications to solving real problems. The course is therefore intended to provide quality in selected areas rather than in a large number of topics.

Sociology is a scientific study of social interactions, social institutions, social patterns and social change of human society guided by sociological theories and methods. Caribbean society has been shaped by historical forces which have led to the emergence of several small diverse and divided societies, each unique in many respects but sharing a common history of colonialism, slavery and indentureship. Despite evidence of socio-economic transformation and the influence of globalisation, the region still maintains a distinct identity. In this regard, sociology can equip students with the necessary knowledge, orientation and skills for understanding society in general and Caribbean Society in particular. The syllabus introduces students to theories and research methods of sociology, the sociological perspective and the processes of social structural change with specific emphasis on the development and modernisation of societies. Students will acquire a set of sociological competencies that will enable them to use the practical and problem-solving approaches to the analysis of society.

The syllabus emphasises the development of the four language skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) and the acquisition of knowledge of Hispanic culture through the study of selected topics and contemporary writings of relevance to Caribbean society. Students develop multiple literacies and independent and critical thinking in the context of foreign language learning and in keeping with the UNESCO Pillars of Learning. While the topics have been selected to provide knowledge and understanding of issues pertinent to Caribbean people in a global context, emphasis will be on language competence rather than on detailed technical knowledge. In developing this syllabus, care has been taken to ensure that it meets the knowledge, understanding and skill requirements common to post-secondary syllabuses in Modern Languages. Completion of this syllabusprovides a foundation for further studies and development for the world of work. This approach reflects an awareness of our regional context and is geared specifically to students learning Modern Languages in the Caribbean as part of the international community. The syllabus consists of two Units each containing three Modules.

Tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one year for leisure, business and other purposes. Tourism is the biggest employer in the region. Consequently, the human resource development in the area of tourism is integral to the economic growth and development of Caribbean tourism and the Caribbean. People with quality education and training will improve, enhance and ensure the economic viability and sustainability of Caribbean tourism. Significant opportunities exist in tourism for governments, communities, private sector organisations, non–governmental organisations and young entrepreneurs to participate and collaborate for national development. Students pursuing this subject will benefit from exposure to the concepts and principles of tourism and their practical application to the business environment. This area of study will also equip students to think logically and critically, as well as enhance their human relation skills.