Science

Science (Double Award) 4SD0

Biology 4BI1

Chemistry 4CH1

Physics 4PH1

Science overview

Science Overview

All students in Years 10 and 11 study all three science subjects - Biology, Chemistry and Physics - at IGCSE. Each of the three subjects is taught by a separate teacher who is usually a subject specialist. Students have the choice of either:

Double Award Science IGCSE from Edexcel (4SD0)

Biology IGCSE from Edexcel (4BI1) and Chemistry IGCSE from Edexcel (4CH1) and Physics IGCSE from Edexcel (4PH1)

DA v TA GLA Dec24.mov

You can listen to Mr Lazaro explain the difference between Double & Triple Science by playing the screencast included here.

Double Award Science

The Edexcel IGCSE Double Award Science programme involves the study of Biology, Chemistry and Physics and leads to the award of two GCSE grades based on the total of the student’s performance in the three sciences. For students with a broad range of interests this is a good option as it will enable them to pursue other interests through the Electives whilst also developing the knowledge, skills and understanding to underpin success in science at IB Diploma level and beyond.

'Triple Award'

This includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics with each being studied as separate subjects. The specification for the separate sciences includes the same core material as the Double Award Science qualification with some additional material. For students with a particular interest in science this is a good option.

Both Double Award Science and the three separate sciences provide students with exposure to the different science subjects and both routes allow for students to study Standard or Higher Level science subjects at IB. Therefore ‘Triple Award’ science at IGCSE is not a prerequisite for studying any science at Higher Level in the IB Diploma nor is it a prerequisite for any course at a UK university.

Subject aims / objectives

The key aims of the Edexcel IGCSE Science courses are to enable students to:

acquire a systematic body of scientific knowledge and facts, and an understanding of scientific concepts, principles, themes and patterns;
appreciate the practical nature of science, acquiring experimental skills based on correct and safe laboratory techniques;
appreciate the importance of accurate experimental work to scientific method and reporting;
form hypotheses and design experiments to test them;
develop and sustain an enjoyment of, and interest in, the scientific world;
appreciate the significance of science in wider personal, social, environmental, economic and technological contexts, and consider ethical issues;
select, organise and present information clearly and logically, using appropriate scientific terms and conventions;
prepare for more advanced courses (such as the IB Diploma) in scientific disciplines.

Programme of study

The courses aim to develop the knowledge and understanding of the students as well as scientific and investigative skills. To prepare students for their IGCSE, they will complete several core practicals in lesson time, as set out by Edexcel. These will be assessed along with their knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts in their final IGCSE written papers.

The topics that will be studied in each subject are listed below.

Biology

Nature and variety of living organisms
Structures and functions in living organisms
Reproduction and inheritance
Ecology and the environment
Use of biological resources

Chemistry

Principles of chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Physical chemistry
Organic chemistry

Physics

Forces and motion
Electricity
Waves
Energy resources and energy transfer
Solids, liquids and gases
Magnetism and electromagnetism
Radioactivity and particles
Astrophysics

Assessment

Throughout the course students will be formatively assessed in lessons to check their understanding using a variety of techniques.

Students will have more formal summative assessments at regular intervals throughout the course to allow students and teachers to identify strengths and areas to develop. These are created in line with the IGCSE-style questions students can expect at the end of Year 11.

Double Award

At the end of Year 11 students taking Science (Double Award) will sit one examination paper for each of their science subjects (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) which will include questions on their core practicals. Students studying Double Award Science will obtain two IGCSE grades at the end of the course. These come from a total of the three exam papers taken at the end of Year 11 and will therefore be a reflection of all three science subjects. Students taking this course will see two attainment grades on their reports throughout Year 10 and 11.

‘Triple Award’

Students taking ‘triple award’ will take two examination papers per subject (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) which will also include questions on their core practicals. Students taking this course will see three separate attainment grades on their reports throughout Year 10 and 11.

Students studying the three science subjects as separate subjects with receive a grade in each subject, independent of one another. This will be reflected in their report grades throughout Year 10 and 11.

Career opportunities

The study of science opens up a vast number of avenues of future study and careers for students. In science lessons students will be expected to use and develop a wide range of skills which lend themselves well to future studies or career options.

Some science-based careers can include:

Healthcare
Environment
Engineering
Medicine
Manufacturing
Food science
Research
Education
Aerospace
Electronics
Computing
Architecture

Other areas to which the knowledge and skills from science lend themselves include:

Journalism

Finance

Design

Marketing

Management

Food technology

Business

Logistics