Science & Additional Science - GCSE
What will I study in Biology?
Unit 1: how bodies defend themselves from disease; diet and exercise; nerves and hormones; interdependence and adaptation; energy and biomass in food chains; genetic variation and its control and evolution.
Unit 2: cells and simple cell transport; photosynthesis; tissues, organs and organ systems; organisms and their environment; proteins; aerobic and anaerobic respiration; cell division and inheritance.
What will I study in Chemistry?
Unit 1: rocks as building materials and as a source of metals; fuels and plastics from oil; plant oils; earth structure and atmosphere.
Unit 2: atomic structure and chemical bonding; calculations; hot and cold reactions; electrolysis; acids and alkalis.
What will I study in Physics?
Unit 1: Energy and energy resources; radiation and the Universe.
Unit 2: Motion and Newton’s Laws; electricity; nuclear physics; lenses and refraction; electromagnetism.
How will I be assessed?
Unit 1 has two 30 minute multiple-choice style examinations, taken in November and March of the one-year course, or in March and June of the first year of the two-year course.
Unit 2 are assessed by 45 minutes written examinations, which are sat in June at the end of the course.
One practical assessment or ‘ISA’, involving a laboratory experiment, followed by a written examination, is required for each of these GCSEs.
Repeat Unit 1 exams may also be taken in March or June.
This assessment schedule is the same for all three Sciences.
Who will teach me?
Andrew Homer (BSc, Manchester University; PGCE) is Head of Science and ICT at Lansdowne College. He is a very experienced tutor having taught in a range of schools for nearly thirty years.
Stephen Owen (MSc Oxon) is a highly experienced tutor who has also worked in research.
Hannah Rosa (BSc, Leeds University; PGCE) is a young and very enthusiastic member of the team.
Jem Barton-Hanson read Law at Queens' College Cambridge, joining Lansdowne in 1993 while taking bar examinations. Since 1993 he has taught a combination of Law, Physics and ICT. Jem is also the College’s Director of eLearning.
What subjects complement Science?
Science subjects (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) forms a core suit of subjects, which are essential at GCSE level. Ideally students should take all three sciences as Science and Additional Science options. Occasionally a student may prefer to take two separate Sciences, for example, just Biology and Chemistry. We recommend that students follow a ‘balanced’ curriculum, giving them an advantage when applying for places in Higher Education.
What careers can Science lead to?
GCSE Science is an important subject to have as part of a balanced curriculum in secondary education. It provides a foundation for further scientific study at A level in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Any student wishing to study for a medical or related degree, a career in food technology, forensic work or any field of engineering will require GCSE Science.