Separate Sciences

GCSE Biology

GCSE Biology Biology is a popular choice at GCSE and can be studied alongside Chemistry and/or Physics. It will build upon some of the work covered in Key Stage 3 lessons and will also offer new areas of study. The course covers many of the main organ systems and the effect humans have on their environment. There will be opportunities for small group and individual practical work during the course.

Unit 1: CELLS, ORGAN SYSTEMS and ECOSYSTEMS

This unit includes the following topics:

  • Cells and movement across membranes

  • Respiration and the respiratory system in humans

  • Digestion and the digestive system in humans

  • Circulatory system in humans

  • Plants and photosynthesis

  • Ecosystems, nutrient cycles and human impact on the environment

This unit will be assessed by an examination: 1 hour 45 minutes which counts as 45% of qualification in the summer term of year 10.


Unit 2: VARIATION, HOMEOSTASIS and MICRO-ORGANISMS

This unit includes the following topics:

  • Classification and biodiversity

  • Cell division and stem cells

  • DNA and inheritance

  • Variation and evolution

  • Response and regulation

  • Kidneys and homeostasis

  • Micro-organisms and their applications

  • Disease, defence and treatment

This unit will be assessed by an examination: 1 hour 45 minutes which counts as 45% of qualification in the summer term of year 11.

Unit 3: PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT

Practical assessment will be carried out in centres, but will be externally marked by WJEC. It will take place in the first half of the spring term of year 11 (January – February) and be worth 10% of qualification.

PLEASE NOTE if students choose to take GCSE Biology and GCSE Physics (with no Chemistry at all) they will NOT be able to study A Level Biology in the sixth form.

Pupils extracting DNA from kiwi fruit


GCSE Chemistry

What is chemistry?

Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, how and why substances combine or separate to form other substances, and how substances interact with energy. Every material in existence is made up of matter — even our own bodies. Chemistry is involved in everything we do, from growing and cooking food to cleaning our homes and bodies to launching a space shuttle. Chemistry is one of the physical sciences that help us to describe and explain our world.

What are the types of topics that I will study?

By studying chemistry at Key Stage 4 you will learn about the structure of the atom and how this effects chemical reactivity. You will study different types of bonding that exist within simple structures like water and carbon dioxide, along with giant structures such as diamond and carbon nanotubes. You will explore the effects that different variables have on reaction rates which will involve investigative experimental work. The course is varied and challenging, with many students continuing on to study chemistry at AS Level.

What is the structure of the course and how is it assessed?

The chemistry GCSE is made up of 3 units -

What opportunities will chemistry give me?

A chemistry qualification opens the door to a wide range of careers options, both in and out of the lab. There are endless interesting and rewarding science-based jobs available – these can be in research, outdoors or in other industries you might not have thought of. As a chemist you could:

  • Fight disease by discovering new medicines.

  • Protect the environment.

  • Invent new products and materials, including cosmetics, paints, food and drink, plastics and much more.

  • Solve crime using forensic analysis.




Here students are detecting which metal ions are in the solution by the colour they produce in a Bunsen flame – atomic spectroscopy.



Year 11 students using phenolphthalein indicator to titrate an acid with an alkali in order to determine the concentration of the acid.



GCSE Physics

GCSE Physics includes:

Astrophysics – How stars are formed and why we can all be called “starchildren”; how light from the stars gives us evidence that the Big Bang occurred.

51 Forces – Newton’s laws of motion are used to study the fall of parachutes, what happens in car crashes and how safety features are built into vehicles.

Waves – How the behaviour of seismic waves in an earthquake gives us information about the internal structure of the planet.

Energy – The development of an energy policy for Wales; considering the roles of conventional, nuclear and renewable energy power stations, global warming, home insulation and generating your own electricity.

Nuclear Physics – How nuclear reactors work and the uses of radiation in medicine and industry. Electricity – Simple electric circuits and how electric motors and generators work.

Examination

Unit 1 examination worth 45% at end of Year 10.

Unit 2 examination worth 45% at end of Year 11.

Practical assessment worth 10% in Spring term of Year 11.


Please Note:

  • It is not possible to study GCSE Chemistry, Physics or Biology on its own.

  • For all courses the work is divided into different units. External examinations will occur in June of Years 10 and 11.

  • For some courses e.g. medicine, many universities will require students to have studied physics to the end of Key Stage 4. This can be studied as part of GCSE Science (Double Award) OR as separate GCSE physics.

  • Students who wish to study A Level Biology, must have studied chemistry at GCSE whether as a separate GCSE or as part of the GCSE Science Double Award.