GCSE Science

Other Courses

Distance Learning GCSE Science Course

Each lesson of the GCSE Science course begins with a set of clearly stated objectives and an explanation of its place in the overall programme of study. Effective learning is encouraged through frequent activities and self-assessment questions. A number of straightforward and varied practical tasks, together with simply drawn, easy-to-copy illustrations, also help to prepare for the coursework element. No previous knowledge of science is assumed or required. The Science GCSE course may be studied alongside the Additional Science GCSE course.

Key Topics

The GCSE Science course consists of three modules (Biology 1, Chemistry 1 and Physics 1). These modules are also part of Oxford Open Learning’s single award Sciences.

Science GCSE module 1 – Biology

How do human bodies respond to changes inside them and to their environment?
What can we do to keep our bodies healthy?
How do we use/abuse medical and recreational drugs?
What causes infectious disease and how can our bodies defend themselves against them?
What determines where particular species live and how many of them there are?
Why are individuals of the same species different from each other?
What new methods do we have for producing plants and animals with the characteristics we prefer?

Science GCSE module 2 Chemistry

How do rocks provide building materials?
How do rocks provide metals and how are metals used?
How do we get fuels from crude oil?
How are polymers and ethanol made from oil?
How can plant oils be used?
What are the changes in the Earth and its atmosphere?
Why have some species of plants and animals died out?
How do new species of plants and animals develop?
How do humans affect the environment?

Science GCSE module 3 – Physics

How is heat (thermal energy) transferred and what factors affect the rate at which heat is transferred?
What is meant by the efficient use of energy?
Why are electrical devices so useful?
How should we generate the electricity we need?
What are the uses and hazards of the waves that form the electromagnetic spectrum?
What are the uses and dangers of emissions from radioactive substances?
What do we know about the universe and how it continues to change?

The Syllabus

Our GCSE Science course prepares students for AQA GCSE Combined Science syllabus 4462, for examination in 2011-12.

This is a single award GCSE. Assessment is by three written papers (which constitute 75% of the final mark and an exam based upon a data collection practical which the student will carry out at home worth a further 25%). We have chosen this syllabus as the most suitable for distance learning.

Practical Skills/Coursework

The Science GCSE coursework assessment has two elements:

The practical skills assessment (PSA) assesses the student’s ability to work in an organised and safe manner whilst working practically. It can be carried out at any time during the course.
The investigative skills assignment (ISA) assesses the student’s ability to undertake a task and collect, process and evaluate data. The ISA can be carried out at any time during the course. Students carry out the ISA set by AQA; they then take a written test under controlled conditions. The test asks questions concerning the data collected during the practical task as well as that provided as part of the test.

Within this qualification there are the following courses

The GCSE Science course is supported by the following essential text.

Click here to view the Science GCSE Course introduction.

Click here to view the Science GCSE Syllabus.

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