CO-ORDINATED SCIENCE

What is the nature of Co-ordinated Science at IGCSE level?

Co-ordinated Science is a double award subject (equivalent to two IGCSEs only) that sets the content, ideas, skills, processes and applications of science in the broadest possible contexts. Students will be taught by specialist Biology, Chemistry and Physics teachers and will also have Science skills lessons that will cover all three of subjects. It will lead to examinations in the second year.

This subject sets out to make students continuously aware of the interrelationships between the main areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This co-ordination is the feature that distinguishes this syllabus from independent, self-supporting syllabuses in the separate sciences. Students are provided with a core base from which to launch their IBDP study of any science discipline if they choose to do so. Eligibility to take HL science courses in the IB Diploma is equivalent from either a coordinated or separate sciences background.

What is the approach to learning?

Like all IGCSE science courses the course aims to provide students with a range of skills that will enhance their ability to understand the world from a scientific viewpoint. These skills include: the knowledge and understanding of scientific principles, theory and phenomena; competence with experimental methods and apparatus; and an ability to interpret, analyse, make inferences from experimental results; effective communication and to recognise the place of science in today’s world. Activities in class are varied to cater to different learning styles but we aim to develop in students a desire to learn more about the world around them.

Competency in these skills will be achieved from a variety of approaches including: practical classes, student developed investigations, field trips, project work, use of computers and the Internet including data loggers, as well as other student-centred classroom activities.

What is the subject content?

The following table lists the topics studied in each of the major disciplines.

Biology Chemistry Physics

B1. Characteristics of living organisms

B2. Cells

B3. Biological molecules

B4. Enzymes

B5. Plant Nutrition

B6. Animal Nutrition

B7. Transport

B8. Gas Exchange and Respiration

B9. Co-ordination and response

B10. Reproduction

B11. Inheritance

B12. Organisms and their environments

B11. Human influences on the ecosystem

C1. The particulate nature of matter

C2. Experimental techniques

C3. Atoms, elements and compounds

C4. Stoichiometry

C5. Electricity and chemistry

C6. Energy changes in chemical reactions

C7. Chemical reactions

C8. Acids, bases and salts

C9. The Periodic Table

C10. Metals

C11. Air and water

C12. Sulphur

C13. Carbonates

C14. Organic chemistry

P1. Motion

P2. Energy, work and power

P3. Thermal physics

P4. Properties of Waves, including light and sound

P5. Electricity and Magnetism

P12. Electric circuits

P14. Electromagnetic effects

P15. Atomic Physics

What is the nature of assessment?

There are two aspects to the assessment of this subject The first is SJII’s own continuous assessment of student performance throughout the two year course which aligns itself with the aims of the course and the standard students are expected to meet These types of assessment are frequent and varied and may be based on: end of topic tests, answers to set questions, assessment of homework, prepared posters, class presentations and an end of G9 examination

The second aspect of assessment is the requirement of the CIE and forms the student’s final grade for the subject. This is based on three examinations in November of the second year.

Paper 2: Multiple choice question paper (Core and Supplement Material)

Paper 4: Extended response paper (Core and Supplement Material)

Paper 6: Alternative to practical

(30% of final grade)

(50% of final grade)

(20% of final grade)

Students who choose to follow the separate sciences pathway will study each of the three science disciplines leading to three IGCSEs (one each in Biology, Chemistry and Physics). The course is taught by specialist subject teachers and students cover each of the three sciences in greater breadth and depth than the co-ordinated double award science qualification

What is the nature of Biology at IGCSE level?

Biology is the study of living things. The IGCSE Biology course is a single award subject that leads to examinations in the second year. The course will allow students with a particular interest in Biology to study this subject to a greater degree. It aims to equip students with knowledge and understanding of the biological world. The course examines how common biological principles apply at various levels in the living world. For example, from the structure of DNA at the micro level, to the structure of ecosystems and biomes at the macro level. The course examines all the biological processes that occur in living things to ensure life is maintained on Earth and how humans impact these processes. Students are provided with a solid base from which to launch their IBDP study of Biology if they choose to do so.

What is the approach to learning?

Students will learn how to analyse experimental results and information in various ways, develop their problem solving abilities and improve their practical, experimental and investigative skills. In common with the other IGCSE science courses, it aims to further develop abilities such as evaluation, interpretation, and effective communication and to recognise the place of science in today’s world. Activities in class are varied to cater to different learning styles but we aim to develop in students a desire to learn more about the living world around them.

What is the subject content?

What is the nature of assessment?

There are two aspects to the assessment of this subject The first is SJII’s own continuous assessment of student performance throughout the two year course which aligns itself with the aims of the course and the standard students are expected to meet. These types of assessment are frequent and varied and may be based on: end of topic tests, answers to set questions, assessment of homework, prepared posters, class presentations and an end of Grade 9 examination

The second aspect of assessment is the requirement of the CIE and forms the student’s final grade for the subject. This is based on three examinations in November of the second year.

Chemistry

What is the nature of Chemistry at IGCSE level?

IGCSE Chemistry is a two year course that will allow students to acquire chemical knowledge, understand concepts, learn to process information in various ways, solve problems and develop their practical experimental and investigative skills. In common with the other IGCSE Sciences courses it aims to further develop abilities such as evaluation, interpretation and effective communication; enabling students to recognise the place of Science in today’s world.

What is the approach to learning?

The chemical concepts studied will be placed into a ‘real world’ context to allow students an understanding of the work undertaken by chemists and the impact of chemistry on people’s lives. The course aims to provide a broad range of teaching and learning activities to encourage student development in all areas of scientific study Students will be exposed to scientific procedure and learn how to analyse and evaluate data, including looking at the strengths and limitations of scientific claims. Activities in the lessons will be varied and students will learn Chemistry through set practicals, investigations and theory.

What is the subject content?

The specific topics studied are:

11. Organic chemistry

12. Experimental techniques and chemical analysis

What is the nature of assessment?

Throughout the two years the students will be assessed by a variety of methods. Each of the modules will have an End of Unit Examination which will be composed like their final examination. As well as this formative assessment the students will also be continuous assessed by completing assessed task. This will be varied and include activities such as posters, presentations, investigation reports and assessed past paper questions.

The final assessment and grade awarded by CIE will involve candidates completing three exam papers at the end of the two year course. These are summarised in the table below.

Paper 2 Multiple choice (Extended)

Paper 4 Theory (Extended) extended answer questions

30%

50%

Paper 6 Questions based on experimental processes and techniques 20%

Physics

What is the nature of Physics at IGCSE level?

Physics is the study of the properties and nature of matter, the different forms of energy and the ways in which matter and energy interact in the world around us. The aims of the IGCSE Physics course are to enable students to acquire sufficient understanding and knowledge to become confident citizens in a technological world; to develop an informed interest in matters of scientific importance; to recognise the usefulness, and limitations, of scientific method; to appreciate its applicability in other disciplines and in everyday life and to be suitably prepared for studies beyond IGCSE such as the IB Diploma.

The course also aims to develop abilities and skills that are relevant to the study and practice of Physics and to develop relevant attitudes, such as concern accuracy and precision, objectivity, integrity, enquiry, initiative and inventiveness.

What is the approach to learning?

Physics is taught in a way that incorporates practical and theoretical understanding of the subject. We focus a lot on the application of Physics and problem solving.

What is the subject content?

Grade 9 Topics

P1. Measurement and Units

P2. Forces and Motion

P3. Forces and Pressure

P4. Forces and Energy

P5. Thermal Effects

P6. Waves and Sound

P7. Rays and Waves

Grade 10 Topics

P8. Electricity

P9. Magnets and Currents

P10. Atoms and Radioactivity

P11. The Earth in Space.

What is the nature of assessment?

There are two aspects to the assessment of this subject. The first is SJII’s own continuous assessment of student performance throughout the two year course which aligns itself with the aims of the course and the standard students are expected to meet. These types of assessment are frequent and varied and may be based on: end of topic tests, answers to set questions, assessment of homework, prepared posters, class presentations and an end of Grade 9 examination.

The second aspect of assessment is the requirement of the CIE and forms the student’s final grade for the subject. This is based on three examinations in November of the second year.