Edexcel (GCSE Science Specification)
360Science is a suite of courses in Science from Edexcel. It encompasses the following qualifications:
GCSE Science
Key features
- There are two different approaches available to the Centres to choose from: content-orientated or context-orientated approach.
- To meet students' needs, a framework of co-teachable qualifications has been designed.
- Test of understanding and comprehension is made rather than that of rote learning.
- Flexibility in choosing weightings of internal and external assessment has also been instituted.
- Flexible approach is adopted for 'tier'-ing.
- Practical learning activities are taken up as a tool to impart Science education.
- Teachers assess practical skills and are non-moderated.
- Edexcel has designed Internal Assessment to support formative assessment.
- All components of assessment are worth 10% of GCSE or multiples thereof.
- Edexcel's Science provides teachers with an opportunity to discuss real Science issues in class.
- Teaching schemes have been constituted to encourage opportunities for ICT and key skills development.
- Prescribed textbooks and online resources.
Subject Content
The subject content of GCSE Science comprises a section on the understanding and application of 'How Science works' and modules in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
|
|
Unit Number
|
Topic Title
|
|
|
B1
|
a
|
1. Environment
2. Genes
|
|
b
|
3. Electrical and Chemical Signals
4. Use, misuse and abuse
|
|
C1
|
a
|
5. Patterns in Properties
6. Making changes
|
|
b
|
7. There's One Earth
8. Designer Products
|
|
P1
|
a
|
9. Producing and Measuring Electricity
10. You are in-charge
|
|
b
|
11. Now you see it, now you don't
12. Space and its mysteries
|
GCSE Science B1 a
1. Environment
- Measurement of impact of humans on the environment
- Improvement of cattle, animals and crops to make ends meet
- Complete analysis of food production
- Survival of the Fittest: evidence for natural selection
- Classification of organisms as a function of evidence of new forms of life
2. Genes
- Human Genome Project
- Cell proteins, DNA, genes etc.
- Interpretation of data produced through breeding experiments
- Benefits, drawbacks and risks involved in cloning, gene therapy, gene modification etc.
- Ethical concerns
GCSE Science B1 b
3. Electrical and Chemical Signals
- Measurement and interpretation of data on reaction times and reflexes
- Diabetes: ethical considerations and understanding
- Addressing problems of infertility
4. Use, Misuse and Abuse
- Pain-relieving drugs and difficulties associated
- Interpretation of data on effectiveness of different drugs.
- Ethical consideration of dug misuse or abuse
GCSE Science C1 a
5. Patterns in Properties
- Combination of elements to form compounds
- Patterns and trends in elements in the periodic table
- Use of primary and secondary data to make predictions about the properties of elements
- Elements in the group 1,7,0 and transition elements
6. Making Changes
- Application of chemical reactions to generate products in daily life
- Types of reactions
- How to handle, collect and purify chemical reagents
- Hazards associated with some chemicals
GCSE Science C1 b
7. There's one Earth
- Limited use of natural resources
- Check on pollution: recycling
- Limiting energy consumption
- Waste disposal as an environmental problem
- Sustainable energy sources
8. Designer Products
- Products designed for specific purposes
- Techniques to impart specific properties
- Nanotechnology & smart materials
- Social issues of excessive alcohol consumption
GCSE Science P1 a
9. Producing and Measuring Electricity
- Sources of electricity
- Current versus voltage relationship
- Role of electricity in our lives
- Response of devices due to changing intensity of light or due to change in temperature
10. You're in charge
- Protection from hazards of electric current
- Factors affecting the rating of a fuse
GCSE Science P1 b
11. Now you can see it, now you don't
- Waves: types
- Impact of waves on our lives
- Unanswered questions on electromagnetic waves
Scheme of Assessment
Internal assessment (40%)
- 10% weighting is attached to assessment of practical skills where a teacher assesses the ability of a student to follow instructions, collect data by making notes of readings and measurements, using ICT and to present results. It is non-moderated in nature.
- Edexcel has devised Assessment activities for a weighting of 30%. These assessment activities are graded by the teacher and external moderation is also performed.
External assessment (60%)
- 60% weighting is attached to external assessment which is carried out through six tiered multiple-choice tests available in the months of November, March and June.
GCSE Additional Science
Subject Content: Additional Science
|
B2
|
1. Inside living cells
2. Divide and develop
3. Energy flow
4. Interdependence
|
|
C2
|
5. Synthesis
6. In your element
7. Chemical Structures
8. How fast? How furious?
|
|
P2
|
9. As fast as you can
10. Roller Coasters and Relativity
11. Putting Radiation to use
12. Power of the Atom
|
GCSE Additional Science B2 provides knowledge on amino acid chains, DNA codes, respiration and oxygen debt, working of cell and cultivation of microorganisms. Cell replications by meiosis, mitosis and gene therapy are other topics of concern. Sustainability in food production and preservation of biodiversity are other addressed issues. C2 addresses issues of yields in chemical reactions, separation of product from impurities, preparation of polymers, isotopes and nomenclature, structure of compounds, properties of solids as a function of their structure, utility of periodic tables, bonding in chemical substances, factors affecting rate of reaction, reversible reactions, bond breaking and forming and efficiency of a chemical reaction. P2 involves studies on motion, resultant force, momentum, impulse, acceleration, work, power and energy, radioactivity and its applications, nuclear energy, static and moving charges etc.
GCSE Additional Science in addition to GCSE Science curriculum presents the ideal platform for further study in Science.
GCSE Biology
GCSE Science B3 (Biology extension unit) deals with application of Biotechnology in production of food and drinks, in reducing food shortages, disease control and development of new medicines. It also looks at the ethical concerns of Biotechnology. Behaviour pattern in humans and other animals is another area of prime focus.
GCSE Chemistry
GCSE Chemistry C3 principally deals with identification of substances through knowledge of chemical and ionic reactions. It also talks about Redox reactions, transition elements and several other important reagents.
GCSE Physics
GCSE Physics P3 provides knowledge on particle theories, quarks, nucleons etc. It also sheds light on non-invasive techniques used in Medical Science like Positron Emission Tomography etc.
For more details, refer to Edexcel official website .
TransWebTutors.com is known for its expertise in fields of Maths and Science disciplines. We are completely aware of all the essential ingredients for a successful result in GCSE Science and have the best faculty to look after it. We offer online tutoring packages for fast track preparation and exhaustive preparation.