Contact: Head of Department: Mr A Davies

Email: adavies@boteler.org.uk

Qualification Details

AQA GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy Specification)

What you will study:

Students studying GCSE Combined Science will receive two GCSE awards at the end of Year 11. All specifications contain elements of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There is an emphasis on the study of scientific skills and understanding. Students will receive two grades on a 17-point scale 1,1-9,9 (grades can be at a split level for instance a 4,5 grade)

Biology topics:

Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics; Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology

Chemistry topics:

Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes; the rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.

Physics topics:

Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure;

Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism

There will also be a significant emphasis on practical work in the investigation of associated theories.

Students will be taught, as much as possible, by subject specialists – so may have two or three teachers

How you will be assessed:

All exams will be sat at the end of Year 11.  Six exam papers of 1 hour and 15 minutes duration (2 for Biology, 2 for Chemistry and 2 for Physics topics) each worth 16.7%. There are two tiers of entry, Higher and Foundation, which are dependent on your ability and progress.  Students are required to complete at least 16 practical tasks. 15% of the exam questions will be based upon these tasks.

Potential Post-16 progression:

The course is one possible route to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A Level but many people use the qualification to assist in securing places on courses such as Psychology, P.E. and a variety of A Level courses.

Potential Careers/Higher Education progression:

GCSE Science is essential for many Science based professions. Many people are surprised to learn that other professions look very favourably on it too with some courses having minimum entry requirements to gain access such as teaching.