Triple Sciences:

GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry, GCSE Physics

These Separate Sciences courses include modules from GCSE Science, Additional Science, and more.  Students must take all three GCSEs (it is not possible to opt out of Biology for example!)

The courses are appropriate for students with a strong interest in science, who are likely to progress to one or more science A-levels.  We recommend that students who choose Triple Sciences should be working at KS3 Level 6 or 7 during Year 9.

Modules B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3 and P1, P2, P3, in the first part of the course feature major theories of science in a way that encourages students to appreciate their importance. We explore how scientific information is obtained, how reliable it is, what its limitations are, and how this information helps society to make important decisions.

All of us, as citizens, need to be able to cope with the science that shapes our lives. The first part of the Triple Sciences course prepares to deal with science issues they may meet in everyday life, such as mobile phone safety, childhood vaccinations or the sustainable use of resources.  Modules in the first part of the course are identical to those in GCSE Science

Modules B4, B5, B6, C4, C5, C6 and P4, P5, P6 in the second part of the course explore scientific concepts in more depth. Students use science to find out more about why things happen. Students also learn more about how scientists work. Modules in the second part of the course are identical to those in GCSE Additional Science.

Modules B7, C7 and P7 in the third and final part of the course are longer modules, which explore Biology, Chemistry and Physics in more depth (see below):

B7 Further biology: Biology across the ecosystem

• Living organisms are interdependent - energy flow through ecosystems. Soil.
• Photosynthesis - importance of photosynthesis in the food chain.
• Heterotrophic nutrition - symbiosis and commensalisms. Parasites.
• New technologies - DNA technologies; social, ethical and economic implications.
• Respiration - respiration and exercise.
• Circulation - components of blood; blood types; the circulation system.
• Skeletal systems - skeletal system; health and fitness.

C7 Further chemistry: Chemistry for a sustainable world

• Alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters. organic molecules and functional groups; alcohols; carboxylic acids; esters.
• Energy changes in Chemistry. Why are there energy changes during chemical reactions?
• Reversible reactions and equilibria - introducing dynamic equilibrium
• Analysis - analytical procedures; chromatography; quantitative analysis
• Green Chemistry - the chemical industry; the characteristics of green Chemistry; making ethanol.

P7 Further physics: Observing the Universe

• Observing the sky with the naked eye - stars, planets and satellites.
• How does a telescope work? making a real image with a converging lens and the use of a second lens to create a telescope.
• What are the objects we see in the night sky and how far are they? spectra and brightness of stars; parsec; Cepheid variables; Hubble constant.
• What are stars? birth and death of stars; nuclear processes.
• How do astronomers work together?

For further details about the GCSE Triple Sciences, follow this link:

http://www.21stcenturyscience.org/the-courses/triple-science,1423,NA.html

For GCSE Biology past papers, mark schemes and other useful documents follow this link:

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/science_twentyfirst_century_science_biology_a/documents.html

For GCSE Chemistry past papers, mark schemes and other useful documents follow this link:

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/science_twentyfirst_century_science_chemistry_a/index.html

For GCSE Physics past papers, mark schemes and other useful documents follow this link:

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/science_twentyfirst_century_science_physics_a/index.html