Why take this subject at GCSE?
Science is one of the core subjects at GCSE. It uses and develops the skills learnt in other areas of the curriculum as well as teaching its own skills, knowledge and understanding. Most employers will expect their employees to have good Science grades and look upon Science as a critical area in education. Science is all around us and in everything we do and see. In a world where the media so frequently bombards us with scientific developments and discoveries, it is necessary for us to make up our minds on issues that affect and influence us all. A science education, therefore, must be a must for every informed citizen. For those students who have a passion and enthusiasm for Science as well as the right aptitude and attitude then the more challenging Triple Science course is for you.
What will I study in the separate sciences?
2 x 1hr 45minute exams for Biology, Chemistry and Physics (6 exams in total at the end of year 11)
100% exams-multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response and calculations.
Course Content
The specifications are divided into topics covering different key areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Practical skills are developed throughout the courses and assessed in the written papers.
BIOLOGY - PAPER 1 50% of Biology Qualification
Topic 1 – Key concepts in Biology, Topic 2 – Cells and Control, Topic 3 – Genetics, Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification, Topic 5 – Health, disease and the development of medicines
BIOLOGY - PAPER 2 50% of Biology Qualification
Topic 1 – Key concepts in Biology, Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions, Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homoeostasis, Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals, Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles
CHEMISTRY - PAPER 1 50% of Chemistry Qualification
Topic 1 – Key concepts in Chemistry, Topic 2 – States of matter and mixtures, Topic 3 – Chemical changes, Topic 4 – Extracting metals and equilibrium, Topic 5 – Transition metals, alloys and corrosion
CHEMISTRY - PAPER 2 50% of Chemistry Qualification
Topic 1 – Key concepts in Chemistry, Topic 6 – Groups in the periodic table, Topic 7 – Rates of reaction and energy changes, Topic 8 – Fuels and Earth science, Topic 9 – Qualitative analysis: test for ions
PHYSICS - PAPER 1 50% of Physics Qualification
Topic 1 – Key concepts in Physics, Topic 2 – Motions and forces, Topic 3 – Conservation of energy, Topic 4 – Waves, Topic 5 – Light and the electromagnetic spectrum, Topic 6 – Radioactivity, Topic 7 – Astronomy
PHYSICS - PAPER 2 50% of Physics Qualification
Topic 8 – Energy – Forces doing work, Topic 9 – Forces and their effects, Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits, Topic 11 – Static electricity, Topic 12 – Magnetisms and the motor effect, Topic 13 – Electromagnetic induction, Topic 14 – Particle model, Topic 15 – Forces and matter.