COURSE OUTLINE
Examination Board: AQA
There are two routes to achieving science GCSEs. Students will study either:
1.GCSE Triple Sciences course and this pathway will result in three GCSE grades, one for each subject area - Biology, Chemistry & Physics
OR
2. GCSE Science course, known as the Trilogy Course. This will result in two science GCSE grades. The Trilogy Course will be available as Foundation or Higher Tier courses.
Generally, Set 1 and Set 2 students will follow the Triple Science course, whilst students in Set 3 are most likely to follow the Trilogy Science course.
Course overview: GCSE Biology
Examination Board: AQA
Students will study the following seven topics:-
- Cell biology—including how microscopes work
- Organisation— including the study of unicellular organisms
- Infection and response
- Bioenergetics—respiration and photosynthesis
- Homeostasis and response—including an overview of the brain and eye
- Inheritance, variation and evolution
- Ecology
Students will sit two Papers as follows:-
- Units 1—4 will be examined in Paper 1;
- Units 5—7 in Paper 2.
Each Paper is worth 50% of the total GCSE.
Practical Skills
These will be developed throughout the course, covering a very wide range of skills. There is a stronger mathematical emphasis in this new GCSE. Examination of practical skills will be incorporated within the final exams.
Further Study and Careers
GCSE Biology lays a strong foundation for AS/A Level Biology and related subjects. This could lead to degree courses in Biology itself, Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy and other medically related areas as well as Zoology, Botany and Environmental Science.
Course overview: GCSE Chemistry
Students will study the following ten topics:-
- Atomic structure and the periodic table
- Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
- Quantitative chemistry
- Chemical changes
- Energy changes
- The rate and extent of chemical change
- Organic chemistry
- Chemical analysis
- Chemistry of the atmosphere
- Using resources
Students will sit two papers as follows:-
- Units 1—5 will be examined in Paper 1;
- Units 5—10 in Paper 2.
Each Paper is worth 50% of the total GCSE.
Practical Skills
These will be developed throughout the course. Students will learn a number of new chemical techniques and focus on working safely. Examination of practical skills will be incorporated within the final exams.
Further Study and Careers
GCSE Chemistry lays a strong foundation for AS/A Level Chemistry. This could lead to degree courses including Chemistry itself, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering and other related areas in the Chemical industry. It is a vital science for the majority of other scientific careers.
Course overview: GCSE Physics
Students will study the following eight topics:-
- Forces
- Energy
- Waves
- Electricity
- Magnetism and electromagnetism
- Particle model of matter
- Atomic structure
- Space physics
Students will sit two Papers as follows:-
- Units 2, 4, 6 and 7 will be examined in Paper 1;
- Units 1, 3, 5 and 8 in Paper 2.
Each Paper is worth 50% of the total GCSE.
Practical Skills
These will be developed throughout the course, covering a very wide range of skills. There is a stronger mathematical emphasis in this new GCSE. Examination of practical skills will be incorporated within the final exams.
Further Study and Careers
GCSE Physics lays a strong foundation for AS/A Level Physics. This could lead to degree courses including Physics itself, Engineering, Chemistry, Medicine, Physiotherapy and other medically related areas.
Course overview: GCSE Trilogy Science
This is a new GCSE specification, leading to two GCSE grades and includes topics from the Biology, Chemistry and Physics syllabus described above.
Students will sit two exams in Biology, Chemistry and Physics respectively.
Practical Skills
These wide-ranging skills will be developed throughout the course.