GCSE Separate Sciences
Course overview
The AQA Separate Sciences is an optional course that will be available to some of you at KS4. It is a challenging option which requires not only a high level of understanding but also a great deal of commitment in order to succeed. Unlike the Combined Science Trilogy course, the Separate Sciences are 3 separate GCSE subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The examination structure of longer examination papers. 1 hour 45 minutes, reflects the greater depth that each of the three sciences are studied in.
Course content
The course structure is similar to that of the Combined Science Trilogy Course, however, the topics are explored in greater depth, there are additional required practical investigations and the course stretches you to explore concepts and overlap with A Level science courses. You may learn about aspects of chemical analysis as a part of the Combined Science Trilogy course but he Separate Science course enables you to apply your learning to test unknown substances to check for the presence of particular ions. You will have the opportunity to culture microorganisms in Biology or test the effectiveness of different thermal insulators in Physics.
The Separate Sciences give you the opportunity to explore additional concepts, eg. Space Physics; and extensive Organic Chemistry topic including polymers, acids, alcohols and their reactions and the brain and the eye in Biology. Owing to the depth of content in the Separate Science courses, taking this course as an option would be ideal to those of you considering studying Science at degree level.
Exam board and Exam structure
|
Paper |
Content |
Marks available |
Exam board |
|
Biology Paper 1 |
Cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics |
100 marks 50% |
AQA |
|
Biology Paper 2 |
Homeostasis and response, inheritance and variation, Evolution, Ecology |
100 marks 50% |
|
|
Chemistry Paper 1 |
Atomic structure and the periodic table, bonding, structure and the properties of matter, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, energy changes |
100 marks 50% |
|
|
Chemistry Paper 2 |
Rate and extent of chemical change, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, chemistry of the atmosphere, using resources |
100 marks 50% |
|
|
Physics Paper 1 |
Energy, electricity, particle model of matter, atomic structure |
100 marks 50% |
|
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Physics Paper 2 |
Forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism |
100 marks 50% |
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