17 / 34
SCIENCE (TRIPLE AWARD)
EXAMINATION BOARD
:
Oxford International AQA Examinations
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
The GCSE qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics encourage students to be inspired, motivated and
challenged by following a broad, coherent, practical, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. They provide
insight into, and experience of how Science works, stimulating students' curiosity and encouraging them to
engage with Science in their everyday lives and to make informed choices about further study and career
choices.
International GCSE in Biology
This qualification prepares students for further study in biological sciences and provides a thorough
grounding in the practical skills needed to be a working scientist.
Topics include:
Organisation, bioenergetics, ecology, organisms’ interaction with the environment, inheritance, variation and
evolution.
International GCSE in Chemistry
This qualification contains a broad range of topics designed to engage students in chemistry while providing
the knowledge and understanding required for progression to A-level.
Topics include:
Atomic structure and periodic table structure, bonding and the properties of matter, chemical changes,
chemical analysis, acids, bases and salts, quantitative chemistry, periodicity, the rate and extent of chemical
change, organic chemistry and energy changes.
International GCSE in Physics
This qualification is designed to engage students in physics. It encourages a questioning approach to
scientific ideas and prepares students for working scientifically.
Topics include:
Forces and their effects, energy, waves, particle model of electricity, magnetism, generating and distributing
electricity, nuclear physics and space physics.
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT
For the International GCSE exam, exam questions will be asked on the practical activities undertaken in
lessons, but there is no coursework or practical examination. There will be two 90 minute papers for each of
Biology, Chemistry and Physics comprising of structured and open questions. the quality of written work will
be assessed. In line with eth UK GCSEs the qualification will be graded 9 to 1, where 9 is the best grade. The
examination is single tier of entry.
CAREERS
Science is an important subject for students wishing to pursue careers in: Biological Sciences, Chemistry,
Physics, Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, Teaching, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Horticulture, Chemical
Engineering and a very wide range of other career areas.
15