Why study GCSE Separate Sciences?

Science develops thinking skills.  The very basis of science is thought and experimentation and by learning to follow the process of scientific method we develop our capacity to think logically.  Science feeds a natural love for learning.  One of the greatest things we can teach our children is to love learning.  Science is a great medium to do so because much of science is hands-on, it appeals readily to most children and nothing makes a child sit up and take notice like a “WOW!” moment during a science lesson. This inherent curiosity and love of learning can spill over into other subjects. Science opens doors to many other subjects for example, you can’t pursue science for very long without becoming fluent in maths and English. We study historical developments such as the atomic model which links fluently with history and use information technology to help us collect and analyse data and make sense of the world around us. Science prepares us for the future.  It teaches us about the basics of life and how we live, for example, how our food is produced, how to stay healthy and how we evolved. It forces us to critically evaluate popular beliefs much of which are inaccurate, it also causes us to consider our values for example, the use of stem cells and helps us to come to terms with global warming and how we as individuals, have a role to play in reducing our carbon footprint. Science helps us to get a good well paid job.  Science is a highly valued subject that nurtures the development of transferable skills essential for the work place.

This course is suitable for those students wishing to take science beyond GCSE or for students that enjoy science or are good at it. It is available only at Higher level and is therefore suitable for students who achieve a secure grade 4 in English, maths and science. It is taught as three separate science courses: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. At the end of these courses you will receive three separate science GCSEs one in each of the three disciplines.

Where can GCSE Separate Sciences take you?

Taking three separate sciences puts you at a distinct advantage when wanting to study science beyond GCSE and provides a solid foundation for many science-related and unrelated careers such as: doctor, vet, physiotherapist, chemist, architect, surveyor, engineer, farmer, sports trainer, lawyer, journalist, computer games developer, marine biologist and electrician, to name but a few, a strong knowledge of at least one of the sciences will be highly desirable if not essential.

For more information about careers in science follow the link to Futuremorph

Science Options Information Video

 

Exam Board

AQA GCSE Separate Sciences: Biology 8461, Chemistry 8462 and Physics 8463.

GCSE Specification: These courses are available for higher tier only.