Year 11 Science
GCSE Combined Science
SUMMARY OF SUBJECT CONTENT:
Combined Science students will study for 6 exams: two each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They will be awarded 2 Combined Science GCSEs.
Biology will cover Cell biology, Organisation, Infection and response, Bioenergetics, Homeostasis and response, Inheritance, variation and evolution and Ecology
Chemistry Atomic structure and the periodic table, Bonding, structure, and the properties of
Matter, Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes, Energy changes, The rate and extent of chemical change, Organic chemistry, Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere, Using resources
Physics Forces, Energy, Waves, Electricity, Magnetism and electromagnetism, Particle model of matter, Atomic structure
Specification at a glance
Exam Board: AQA
Combined Science: Trilogy Specification Code:8464
Examinations |
Weighting |
Time |
When |
Notes |
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External Examination - 6 Written Papers |
16.7% each paper | 6 X 1 hour 15 minutes | Summer of Year 11 |
6 Structured Papers – two each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Questions can be multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response. Students are awarded a double grade, reflecting 2 GCSEs, from the range 99,98,88,87 etc to 11 |
What did my child study during Year 10?
The Sciences are topic-based course, the topics that were covered during Year 10 are:
Key Ideas Covered
Next to each section you will find the relevant book reference.
1st Term |
2nd Term |
3rd Term |
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Energy · Energy changes in a system · Power, work done and kinetic energy calculations · Conservation of energy · Efficiency · Energy resources AQA PHYSICS BOOKS Chapters P1, P2, P3 Pages 4-44 |
Quantitive Chemistry · Calculating formula mass · Reacting mass calculations · Concept of the Mole · Using moles to balance equations · Limiting reactants · Atom economy · Percentage Yield in reactions · Concentrations of solutions. · Calculating volumes of gases in equations. Aqa Chemistry books Chapter C4 pages 62-81
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Bioenergetics · Types of respiration Anaerobic or aerobic. · Photosynthesis · And rate of Photosynthesis. · Use of glucose from Photosynthesis · Response to exercise AQA BIOLOGY Chapter B8 and B9 pages 124-143 |
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Electricity · Circuit diagrams and symbols · Parallel and series circuits · Resistance · Charge and flow of electrons. · Mains electricity · National Grid · Energy transfer and Power · Static electricity. AQA Physics Chapter P4 and P5 pages 50-75 |
Infection and Response · Communicable Disease · Viral disease · Bacterial disease · Fungal disease · Protist disease · Human defence mechanisms and vaccinations. · Antibiotics and treating disease · Drug trials · Plant disease AQA BIOLOGY Chapters B5 and B6 pages 74-110 |
Homeostasis · The role of and types of neurone · The role of the nervous system · Reflex arcs · Role of the synapse · Factors affecting reaction times. · Menstrual cycle and its hormones · IVF · Thermoregualtion · Glucose regulation · Diabetes AQA Biology book chapters B10-12 |
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Organisation · Organ and organ systems · Digestive system · Structure of the heart and blood vessels · Heart disease · Plant organ systems AQA BIOLOGY PAGES Chapters B3 and B4 pages 36-66 |
Chemical changes · The reactivity Series and reactivity of metals. · Extraction of metals and reduction. · Oxidation and reduction in terms of electrons. · Reaction of acids and neutralisation. · Ph Scale and common reactions · Titrations- method and calculations. · The principles of electrolysis. AQA Chemistry Chapter C5 and C6 pages 84-111 |
Rate of chemical change · Calculating rates of reactions · Factors which affect the rates of reaction. · Collision theory and activation energy · Dynamic equilibrium · Reversible reactions AQA Chemistry book Chapter C8 PAGES 128-148 |
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Bonding and Structure · Types of bonding – ionic, covalent and metallic. · The states of matter · Giant Covalent Molecules · Structure and properties of metals · Bonding of diamond and graphite · Nano-chemistry AQA CHEMISTRY Chapter C3 PAGES 36-61 |
Particle model of matter (Physics aspects) · Changes of state and Particle Model · Density Calculations · Internal energy · Specific latent heat calculations. AQA Physics book Chapter P6 Pages 76-91 |
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Energy changes · Exothermic and Endothermic reactions · Drawing and interpreting reaction profile diagrams. AQA CHEMISTRY Chapter C7 pages 112-125 |
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What will my child study during Year 11?
1st Term |
2nd Term |
3rd Term |
|
Homeostasis
AQA BIOLOGY Chapter B10 – B11 pages 146—181 |
Organic Chemistry
AQA Chemistry Chapter C9 Pages 148-157 |
Chemistry of the atmosphere
AQA Chemistry chapter C13 PAGES 194-205 |
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Rates of Reaction
AQA Chemistry Book Chapter C8 pages 128-147 |
Waves
AQA Physics Chapters P12 & P13 Pages 174-201 |
Using resources
AQA Chemistry book Chapter C14 Pages 206-219 |
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Forces
AQA Physics Chapters P8,P9,P10 PAGES 112-161 |
Ecology
AQA Biology book chapter B16 –B18 pages 258-299 |
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Inheritance, variation and evolution
AQA Biology Chapters B13-B15 Pages 196-255 |
Chemical analysis
AQA Chemistry Chapter C12 Pages 180-185 |
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Magnetism and electromagnetism
AQA Physics book Chapter P15 Pages 214-221 |
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How will my child be assessed and how will I know how well they are doing in Biology/Chemistry and Physics in Year 11?
The science course during Year 10 and 11 is a topic based course (see above for list of topics). At the end of each topic students will complete an informal test in class lasting 30 minutes and worth 30 marks made up of previous GCSE questions. The test will be notified via Satchel with some revision materials published to support preparation. Students will be given a rough GCSE grade to show the standard of their work (e.g 5/6; 7/8). Students will sit three formal exams during the Mock exam period during the first term November/December of year 11. Students will likely complete 3 x 1hr 15min exams one each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics covering the paper 1 content.
A second round of mock exams will likely follow later in the year once all paper 2 content has been taught.
What homework will my child be expected to do in Year 11 in Biology/Chemistry/Physics?
Students will be set weekly homework that they will be expected to spend around 1 hour completing. The homework will be a variety of tasks that will primarily be:
- Completion of classwork with further research and note-making
- Completion of past GCSE questions
- Revision for tests
- Online revision/quizzes using sites such as SAMLearning & Seneca Learning
Students will be expected to regularly access the online textbook via kerboodle (www.kerboodle.com). Their username and password is the same as their username in school and the institution code is SL4.
How can I support my child to do well in Biology/Chemistry/Physics during Year 11?
- Ensure they complete their homework properly
- Support them by ensuring they have somewhere suitable to work, away from distractions but with online access to the textbook etc.
- Buy a revision guide (order forms available to download via this website)
- Support them to revise and prepare properly for each test
My child is struggling during the course, what additional help is available to help them keep up?
- Students can access the digital textbooks to help with revision.
- After school revision sessions will be available.
- Revision books can be purchased to assist with understanding.
- Students should be encouraged to seek assistance from their teacher when they are struggling with any concept.
- Students have access to Sam Learning and the kerboodle learning platform which has a range of resources to help boost understanding.
Last Updated September 2023
