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GCSE Separate Science (AQA)
GCSE Separate Science (AQA)
GCSE Separate Science - including GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics (AQA)
This course is designed for students who wish to pursue Science (Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics) at AS and A level and may be looking for a career as a professional scientist. Future careers can range from psychology to microbiology, forensic science to food science and sports science to acoustics. Scientists do not just wear white coats, they work in conservation, football clubs, recording studios, cosmetics, police, jewellery and even space!
Students must be fully competent in science in Year 9, as reflected in their teacher assessment grades, and demonstrate a high level of maturity and motivation.
The course content is similar to the Combined Science, however there is a more in-depth study of each of the science disciplines.
Subject Content
Biology
Cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics, homeostasis and response, inheritance, variation and evolution, ecology.
Chemistry
Atomic structure and the periodic table, bonding, structure, the properties of matter, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, energy changes, the rate and extent of chemical change, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, chemistry of the atmosphere, using resources.
Physics
Forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism, particle model of matter, atomic structure, space physics (physics only).
Assessments
There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. Each paper is a written exam including multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response questions of 1 hour 45 minutes, accounting for 50% of the GCSE. The course is 100% examination, there is no longer a controlled assessment unit. However, about 15% the marks from each paper will be based on practical investigation tasks that the students will do over the 2 year course and will be expected to keep a record of these.
An introduction to GCSE Separate Science from Mrs Taylor, Teaching Team Leader for Science.
An introduction to GCSE Separate Science from Mrs Taylor, Teaching Team Leader for Science.
ksa-qrnu-cak (2020-05-02 at 04:39 GMT-7)options eve handout.pdfClick to download the hand-out.
Click to download the hand-out.
Separate Science Frequently Asked Questions
Separate Science Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take separate science as an option to study it at A level?
No. It is not a requirement that you take separate science as an option to be able to study a science A-level. Combined science does include all 3 sciences, but there is more content covered in separate science so that you may know more about the material that will be studied at A-level.
I really like science so would I be able to do separate science?
Always a tricky one to answer as it does depend on the individual. Just liking a subject is not enough in this case, you also need to be able to cope with the amount of content covered and be doing well in Science at KS3. It is a challenging course.
How much more science is it?
All students are required to complete two science GCSEs, and receive two GCSE grades for this. Separate science covers three science GCSEs, and receives 3 separate grades. Combined science students study 10 hours of science a fortnight, separate science students this is 15 hours. The exams for separate science are also 1 hour 45 minutes, compared to 1 hour 15 minutes. It is important to think of it as studying 3 different GCSEs and the amount that goes into studying one GCSE multiplied by 3.
Can I just take Biology and not the others? (or Physics or Chemistry?)
No. At the moment it is not possible to just take one science GCSE, if you opt for separate science you will study for a GCSE in Biology, chemistry and Physics.
What exam board do you sit?
All of our science GCSEs are AQA and you can find out more here.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse
Do you still get to do practical work?
Yes there is still plenty of opportunity for practical work, wether you follow the Combined science or opt for separate science route. We cover the required practicals as set out by the exam specification but many others also. They are essential component for learning science.
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