Science - Combined

Curriculum Leader Science: Mr Jonathan Brown

Examination board: IGCSE Oxford AQA 9204

Course Content

The IGCSE Combined Science course comprises the equivalent of 2 IGCSE subjects. This International GCSE qualification provides students with a good grounding in the principles of all three science disciplines. It offers students the opportunity to be scientifically literate and able to use science in their everyday lives and further studies. Students develop a range of practical skills along with data analysis and critical thinking skills.

Through the teaching of this combined science syllabus, students will develop knowledge and understanding  of the subject content of combined science, the practices of science and how science as a discipline develops.  Students will develop their ability to work as a scientist. 

Working as a scientist involves being able to observe, question, hypothesise and carry out various types of  scientific enquiry to further scientific knowledge, and to be able to use models and arguments to support  explanations and decision-making. It also involves following established procedures to ensure that new  scientific knowledge can be validated. 

Working this way requires knowledge and understanding of the practices of science and how science as a discipline develops. 

Knowledge of the subject content in isolation does not provide the knowledge, understanding and skills required for progression to higher qualifications or develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required for students to be future scientists or scientifically literate citizens. 

There are three dimensions to working as a scientist: 

• Subject content 

• The practices of science 

• How science as a discipline develops. 

How will you be assessed? 

Paper 1 Biology

Structured, closed short answer, and open response

1 hour 45 minutes

Paper 2 Chemistry

Structured, closed short answer, and open response

1 hour 45 minutes

Paper 3 Physics

Structured, closed short answer, and open response

1 hour 45 minutes

Key Skills

The students learn:

• Critically analyse data

• Conduct risk assessments and work safely

• Analysis data

• Identify limitations with theories, processes and data

• Apply mathematical knowledge and understanding

• Communicate using scientific vocabulary

Careers

This qualification is gateway to careers related to science including: Medicine, Pharmacology, Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Marine Biology, Botany, Physics, Archaeology, Forensics and many more!