The Coordinated Science double award provides the ideal preparation for IBDP Biology, Chemistry and Physics at either Higher or Standard Level as well as Environmental Systems and Societies. The double award course is taught in eight teaching periods each week.

Coordinated Sciences gives students the opportunity to study biology, chemistry and physics, each covered in separate syllabus sections. Students learn about the basic principles of each subject through a mix of theoretical and practical studies, while also developing an understanding of the scientific skills essential for further study. Students learn how science is studied and practised, and become aware that the results of scientific research can have both good and bad effects on individuals, communities and the environment. As well as focusing on the individual sciences, the syllabus enables students to better understand the technological world they live in and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments.

Taught by two teachers as a series of Biology, Chemistry and Physics units, there are many links between each subject area. Each teacher teaches one of the three subjects (Physics, Chemistry or Biology) and the third subject is split between them.

Biology

Living organisms, cellular organisation, photosynthesis, gaseous exchange in animals, transport systems, respiration, diet and health, digestion, responding to the environment, homeostasis, plant reproduction, human reproduction, inheritance and evolution, organisms and the environment.

Chemistry

Classifying elements, materials and structures, oxidation and reduction, ions and electrolysis, metals and alloys, energetics, petrochemicals and fuels, solvents and solutions, acids and alkalis, air and water, fertilisers, rates of reaction and organic chemistry.

Physics

Strength of solids, particles in motion, force and motion, energy transfer, energy resources and distribution, electricity, light and electromagnetic spectrum, sound and waves, kinetic energy, gravity, magnetism, atomic physics, radioactivity.

The course promotes:

•  interdisciplinary enquiry

• independent learning

• communication

• fine motor skills

• logic and problem solving 

• evaluation of different information and sources.

Successful completion of this course will lead to the Cambridge International Education qualification (I)GCSE, Co-ordinated Science (Double Award), (0654).

All students will enter for three papers:

Core syllabus (grades C to G) – 100%

• paper 1: multiple choice questions – 30%

• paper 3: short-answer and structured questions – 50%

• paper 6: questions to assess experimental skills – 20%

Extended syllabus (grades A* to C) – 100%

• paper 2: multiple choice questions – 30%

• paper 4: short-answer and structured questions – 50%

• paper 6: questions to assess experimental skills – 20%

For details of the Co-ordinated Science syllabus, click here.