GCSE Additional Science

General information

This course is generally taken by students intending to progress to A levels in the Sciences and covers aspects of Biology, Physics and Chemistry with associated practical skills.

Students not intending to study Science A levels should consider carefully whether they require this qualification.

Full specification information is available online at http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/subjectindex-s.php. Please visit this page and choose Additional Science (new) 4408.

Course content

Please note this is a new specification as of September 2012 and is considerably more challenging than the outgoing specification.

There will be three Additional Science lessons per week (note that students following Core and Additional Science will therefore have six science lessons per week).

Additional Science consists of three units, namely Biology, Physics and Chemistry, and a practical component that is completed in class.

Biology will include the study of cell biology, plant and animal physiology, enzymes, cell division, and speciation.

Chemistry will include the study of atomic structure and bonding; rates of reaction; acids, bases and salts; and electrolysis.

Physics will include the study of forces, kinetic energy, electricity and radioactivity.

Teaching and assessment

There will be one written test of one hour duration for each unit, probably all taken in June.

Tests account for 75 per cent of the final grade. In addition there will be a practical component (ISA) set by the examination board and marked internally. This is worth 25 per cent of the final grade.

Entry requirements

Four GCSEs - three grades of D or higher and one grade of C or higher. This should include C/D for Core and Additional Science.

Additional Science can not be studied as the only GCSE Science, unless the student already has Core Science grade C or above.

Students with vocational qualifications or other non-standard entry qualifications should contact the guidance team at the college for advice. They will direct your enquiry to the subject team.

Students not intending to study Science A levels should consider carefully whether they require this qualification.

Progression

Students wishing to progress on to A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics must achieve a BB grade in the Core and Additional Science courses.

GCSE Science is a very useful qualification for progression to Post-16 studies.

Dates and times

This course begins in September. The duration of this course is one year.