Combined Science

This course is designed to give students the tools and concepts they need to be able to construct a scientific approach to solving problems.

Students learn the fundamental aspects of all three Sciences, ultimately being awarded two GCSE grades in the subject, but will not go into as much detail as a separate GCSE in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The following topics are covered in Year 11.

COURSE CONTENT

Biology ● Homeostasis and response ● Inheritance, variation and evolution ● Ecology

Chemistry

● Rates of reaction ● Energy changes ● Equilibrium ● Electrolysis ● Chemical analysis

SKILLS DEVELOPED

● Problem-solving ● Abstract-thinking ● Ability to complete multi step calculations ● Application of knowledge ● Data analysis ● Evaluation ● Extended writing skills

FURTHER STUDY

The content of this course gives students a secure grounding in the fundamentals of Biology, Chemistry and Physics and prepares students for progression in Science related disciplines beyond GCSE. If students are intending to study any of the Sciences at A Level it should be notes that Combined Science GCSE does not automatically preclude study at A Level and bridging work will be given to support suitable candidates from Combined Science going on to A Level.

Physics

● Forces in balance ● Motion ● Force and motion ● Wave properties ● Electromagnetic waves ● Electromagnetism

SPECIFICATION LINK

ASSESSMENTS

There are six externally assessed papers: two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. Each paper is 1 hour 15 minutes in length and constitutes 16.7% of the total GCSE.