Sciences

The Sciences at GCSE AQA Combined Science Double Award 8464

The specification for GCSE Combined Science is designed to: • build on KS3 Science and provide progression to A Level • offer a range of interesting and familiar topics • provide opportunities for practicals • help teachers to motivate and inspire pupils of all abilities • help to develop an interest in science – both in the surrounding world and as part of future lives.

At The British School of Paris, we offer pupils Double Award Combined GCSE Sciences which is equivalent to two GCSEs, and provides a good preparation for A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and hence the study of science at university, including related subjects such as Medicine, Veterinary Science, and Engineering.

GCSE Double Science (Trilogy) is a two-year

course, in which pupils are taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Year 10 and 11. Each pupil has six one-hour lessons per week, divided equally between Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The three sciences are taught by subject specialists; thus each pupil has three different teachers for Science.

How will I be assessed?

At the end of the course, pupils sit a total of six written papers, two in each of the three subjects. Each of these papers will also assess some practical content. During the course pupils must also have the opportunity to complete 16 required practicals.

Examinations

Each written paper lasts 75 minutes and carries 70 marks, and each paper will count 162⁄3% towards the final grade. Each paper consists of questions which may be closed (multiple choice, link boxes, sentence completion), or open (labelling or drawing diagrams, short answer, extended response (including multistep calculation)). There are also two tiers of examination papers – Higher and Foundation. Higher papers are designed for pupils capable of operating at grade 5 level and above. Foundation papers are designed for pupils operating at about a grade 4 or below, and are designed to be more accessible to the lower achievers in Science.

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Key Stage 4 Guide

What will I study?

The syllabus emphasises concepts that have direct relevance to everyday life and will enable you in later life to make informed judgements on important scientific issues. There is also an intentional emphasis on the development of good experimental practice, and the Scientific Method. The Scientific Method incorporates ideas about logical thought and critical evaluation of evidence. The new syllabuses have a slight increase in content compared with previous specifications so you are better prepared for A level. The following topics are studied over the two-year course:

Key: Red = Assessed in Paper 1: Biology, Chemistry and Physics Black = Assessed in Paper 2: Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Biology Chemistry

1.Cell biology 8.Atomic structure and the periodic table

2.Organisation

9.Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 3.Infection and response 10.Quantitative chemistry 4.Bioenergetics 11.Chemical changes 5.Homeostasis and response 12.Energy changes 6.Inheritance, variation and evolution 13.The rate and extent of chemical change

7.Ecology 14.Organic chemistry

15.Chemical analysis 16.Chemistry of the atmosphere 17.Using resources 18.Energy

Physics

19.Electricity

20.Particle model of matter 21.Atomic structure 22.Forces 23.Waves

24.Magnetism and electromagnetism

Practical Assessment

Throughout the course and especially through practical work, you will be taught a variety of skills connected with the design, carrying out, analysis and evaluation of experimental work. Practical work, as well as developing investigative and experimental skills, consolidate scientific knowledge. All pupils are expected to have carried out 16 required practical activities. Also, questions in the written examinations will draw on the knowledge and understanding you have gained by carrying out the practical activities. These questions will count for at least 15% of the overall marks for the qualification.