Triple Science
During the two week timetable rotation Triple Science students have a total of twelve hours of science lessons. Wherever possible subject specialist teachers will deliver the course content.
The full specifications for these subjects can be found at:
Biology: http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/biology/specifications/AQA-8461-SP-2016.PDF
Chemistry:http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/chemistry/specifications/AQA-8462-SP-2016.PDF
Physics: http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/physics/specifications/AQA-8463-SP-2016.PDF
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- 1. Cell biology
- 2. Organisation
- 3. Infection and response
- 4. Bioenergetics
- 5. Homeostasis and response
- 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
- 7. Ecology
- 8. Key ideas
- 1. Atomic structure and the periodic table
- 2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
- 3. Quantitative chemistry
- 4. Chemical changes
- 5. Energy changes
- 6. The rate and extent of chemical change
- 7. Organic chemistry
- 8. Chemical analysis
- 9. Chemistry of the atmosphere
- 10. Using resources
- 1. Energy
- 2. Electricity
- 3. Particle model of matter
- 4. Atomic structure
- 5. Forces
- 6. Waves
- 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism
- 8. Space physics (physics only)
All three science specialisms – Biology, Chemistry and Physics – are taught in units throughout years 10 and 11. At the end of the course pupils will be awarded with three separate qualifications, each equivalent to one GCSE certificate graded 1-9.
What are the components of this course?
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Biology:
Subject content
Assessments
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Paper 1 |
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What's assessed Topics 1–4: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions
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Paper 2 |
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What's assessed Topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions
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Chemistry
Subject content
Assessments
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Paper 1: |
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What's assessed Topics 1–5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions
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Paper 2: |
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What's assessed Topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions
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Physics
Specification at a glance
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Subject content
Assessments
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Paper 1: |
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What's assessed Topics 1-4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions
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Paper 2: |
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What's assessed Topics 5-8: Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; and Space physics. Questions in paper 2 may draw on an understanding of energy changes and transfers due to heating, mechanical and electrical work and the concept of energy conservation from Energy and Electricity. |
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How it's assessed
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Questions
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What are the success rates in this course?
In the Science Department we have a very high success rate. In previous years typically 100% of the cohort gain A –C grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We are expecting 100% of the cohort to achieve the new benchmark of grade 5 or above.
Where can I find extra support online to help improve my grade in this course?
There are multiple websites available for our courses. Parents should be aware that we study AQA Separate Sciences Grade 1-9. The following websites are particularly recommended by our teachers:
BBC Bitesize Website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/
Revision Videos:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/videos/
Arden GSuite: https://sites.google.com/arden.solihull.sch.uk/arden-science-gcse-resources/home
There are many free and pay revision apps that can be downloaded onto smart phones. Gojimo is highly recommended.
Do you recommend any books for this course?
As this is a new specification please ensure that any revision guides you may purchase covers the AQA sciences for grades 1-9.
CGP produce a comprehensive range of revision guides, workbooks and past paper resources: www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_gcse_science
The science department has purchased the CGP text books for use in lesson. Each pupil is there for entitled to an account which enables them to access a FREE online version of the full text book. Please ask your child to check with their science teacher how to access this brilliant FREE resource.
When should I revise and can I get any past papers online?
Revision of topics should be a consistent part of student life and students who do well in GCSE science will be the ones who work hard and regularly revise and review topics.
Specimen and past papers can be found at:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461/assessment-resources
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462/assessment-resources
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463/assessment-resources
Many of the previous (legacy) specification questions are still applicable and are still a useful and valid revision tool.
All Past papers for all AQA specifications can be found at
http://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/exams-guidance/find-past-papers-and-mark-schemes
What can I do next with this course?
Science opens the doors to many, many careers.
We would recommend choosing the triple science pathway if you are particularly interested in careers in medicine, science, engineering.
