Students at Caerleon Comprehensive School can either study Double Award Science or Triple Award Science (separate sciences). Please note that it is not possible to study one or two of the three separate sciences.
Students studying Three Separate Sciences (Triple Award) will have fifteen lessons per fortnight and gain three GCSE Science qualifications. Students will complete a Biology, Chemistry and Physics unit in Year 10 and sit one exam for each unit in the summer of Year 10. In Year 11 a further Biology, Chemistry and Physics unit will be studied. These will be examined at the end of the year. In addition to this, in each science, students will complete a Practical Assessment in Year 11. This course can lead to A Level courses in any or all of the three Sciences. The course content for each science is summarised below.
BIOLOGY
Year 10 Biology Topics = (1) Cells and movement across membranes, (2) respiration and the respiratory system in humans, (3) digestion and the digestive system in humans, (4) circulatory system in humans, (5) plants and photosynthesis, and (6) Ecosystems, nutrient cycles and human impact on the environment. 105 minute examination at the end of Year 10. 45 % of Biology GCSE.
Year 11 Biology Topics = (1) Classification and biodiversity, (2) cell division and stem cells, (3) DNA and inheritance, (4) variation and evolution, (5) response and regulation, (6) kidneys and homeostasis, (7) micro-organisms and their applications, and (8) disease, defence and treatment. 105 minute examination at the end of Year 11. 45 % of Biology GCSE.
CHEMISTRY
Year 10 Chemistry Topics = (1) The nature of substances and chemical reactions, (2) atomic structure and the periodic table, (3) water, (4) the ever-changing Earth, (5) rate of chemical change, and (6) limestone. 105 minute examination at the end of Year 10. 45 % of Chemistry GCSE.
Year 11 Chemistry Topics = (1) Bonding, structure and properties, (2) acids, bases and salts, (3) metals and their extraction, (4) chemical reactions and energy, (5) crude oil, and (6) reversible reactions. 105 minute examination at the end of Year 11. 45 % of Chemistry GCSE.
PHYSICS
Year 10 Physics Topics = (1) Electric circuits, (2) generating electricity, (3) Making use of energy, (4) domestic electricity, (5) features of waves, (6) the total internal reflection of waves, (7) seismic waves, (8) kinetic theory and (9) electromagnetism. 105 minute examination at the end of Year 10. 45 % of Physics GCSE.
Year 11 Physics Topics = (1) Distance, speed and acceleration, (2) Newton's laws, (3) work and energy, (4) further motion concepts, (5) stars and planets, (6) the universe, (7) types of radiation, (8) half-life and (9) nuclear decay and nuclear energy. 105 minute examination at the end of Year 11. 45 % of Physics GCSE.
PRACTICAL ASSESSMENTS
In each of the three separate sciences, students will complete a practical exam towards during January/February of Year 11. This assessment gives learners the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to work scientifically. It assesses experimental skills and strategies, and skills in analysis and evaluation. Each practical assessment will take 2 x 1 hour sessions to complete. 10 % of each science course.
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