What types of courses are available?
All students follow one of two possible modular GCSE Science courses in which Biology, Chemistry and Physics are studied. You will also be expected to show knowledge and understanding of the principles of ‘How Science Works’ in your answers to questions in module tests and in the written assessment paper based on practical work. Competence in practical skills, the ability to obtain and record experimental results and performance in the written paper, together make up the Investigative Skill Assessment (ISA).
Which course should I choose?
You either choose the course that leads to 2 GCSE grades (Core Science and Additional Science), or the course that leads to 3 GCSE grades (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). If you think you will take any Science subjects at Advanced Level you should take the course that leads to 3 Science GCSE grades, as this will give you the best scientific foundation for Advanced Level study.
In the course leading to 2 Science GCSE grades you will study Core Science (Module 1) and Additional Science (Module 2) in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Your CORE SCIENCE GRADE will result from the total mark you obtain in the Biology 1, Chemistry 1 and Physics1 modules, plus your best mark in a Core Science ISA.
You will study the following topics in Core Science modules:
Biology 1
How do human bodies respond to changes inside them and to their environment?
What can we do to keep our bodies healthy?
How do we use/abuse medical and recreational drugs?
What causes infectious diseases and how can our bodies defend themselves against them?
What determines where particular species live and how many of them there are?
Why are individuals of the same species different from each other?
What new methods do we have for producing plants and animals with the characteristics we prefer?
Why have some species of plants and animals died out?
How do new species of plants and animals develop?
How do humans affect the environment?
Chemistry 1
How do rocks provide building materials?
How do rocks provide metals and how are metals used?
How do we get fuels from crude oil?
How are polymers and ethanol made from oil?
How can plant oils be used?
What are the changes in the Earth and its atmosphere?
Physics 1
How is heat (thermal energy) transferred and what factors affect the rate at which heat is transferred?
What is meant by the efficient use of energy?
Why are electrical devices so useful?
How should we generate the electricity we need?
What are the uses and hazards of the waves that form the electromagnetic spectrum?
What are the uses and dangers of emissions from radioactive substances?
What do we know about the origins of the Universe and how it continues to change?
Your ADDITIONAL SCIENCE GRADE will result from the total mark you obtain in the Biology 2, Chemistry 2 and Physics 2 modules, plus your best mark in an Additional Science ISA. You will study the following topics in Additional Science modules:
Biology 2
What are animals and plants built from?
How do dissolved substances get into and out of cells?
How do plants obtain the food they need to live and grow?
What happens to energy and biomass at each stage in a food chain?
What happens to the waste material produced by plants and animals?
What are enzymes and what are some of their functions?
How do our bodies keep internal conditions constant?
Which human characteristics show a simple pattern of inheritance?
Chemistry 2
How do sub-atomic particles help us to understand the structure of substances?
How do structures influence the properties and uses of substances?
How much can we make and how much do we need to use?
How can we control the rates of chemical reactions?
Do chemical reactions always release energy?
How can we use ions in solutions?
Physics 2
How can we describe the way things move?
How do we make things speed up or slow down?
What happens to the movement energy when things speed up or slow down?
What is momentum?
What is static electricity, how can it be used and what is the connection between static electricity and electric currents?
What does the current through an electrical circuit depend on?
What is mains electricity and how can it be used safely?
Why do we need to know the power of electrical appliances?
What happens to radioactive substances when they decay?
What are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
In the course leading to 3 Science GCSE grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, you will study the Core Module (Module 1), the Additional Module (Module 2) and Module 3 for each Science subject.
The grade you obtain in EACH SCIENCE SUBJECT will result from the total mark you achieve in Modules 1, 2 and 3, plus your ISA mark in that subject.
You will study the following topics in Module 3 in each subject:
Biology 3
How do dissolved substances get into and out of plants and animals?
How are dissolved materials transported around the body?
How does exercise affect the exchanges taking place within the body?
How do exchanges in the kidney help us to maintain the internal environment in mammals and how has biology helped us to treat kidney disease?
How are microorganisms used to make food and drink?
What other useful substances can we make using microorganisms?
How can we be sure we are using microorganisms safely?
Chemistry 3
How was the periodic table developed and how can it help us understand the reactions of elements?
What are strong and weak acids and alkalis?
How can we find the amounts of acids and alkalis in solutions?
What is in the water we drink?
How much energy is involved in chemical reactions?
How do we identify and analyse substances?
Physics 3
How do forces have a turning effect?
What keeps bodies moving in a circle?
What provides the centripetal force for planets and satellites?
What do mirrors and lenses do to light?
What is sound?
What is ultrasound and how can it be used?
How can electricity be used to make things move?
How do generators work?
How do transformers work?
What is the life history of stars?
What will your lessons and homework be like?
Your lessons will be varied. You can expect to perform experiments and watch demonstrations by your teacher. There will be question and answer sessions, class and group discussions/activities, Role Play and use of the Internet. We use DVD, Video and modern Software to enhance your learning.
To assess your progress, homework will be set regularly and you can also expect to be tested on regular basis as you go through the course. Homework assignments may involve written, reading or learning exercises and internet research will form part of some of these activities.