There is a choice between two routes, both covering the same material. In route 1, the three sciences are examined in separate papers; in route two they are mixed up.
Course content
B4: The processes of life Module
• How do chemical reactions take place in living things?
• How do plants make food?
• How do living organisms obtain energy?
B5: Growth and development Module
• How do organisms develop?
• How does an organism produce new cells?
• How do genes control growth and development within the cell?
B6: Brain and mind
• How do animals respond to changes in their environment?
• How is information passed through the nervous system?
• Can re ex responses be learned?
• How do humans develop more complex behaviour?
C4: Chemical patterns Module
• What are the patterns in the properties of elements?
• How do chemists explain the patterns in the properties of elements?
• How do chemists explain the properties of compoundsatmosphere?
C5: Chemicals of the natural environment
• What types of chemicals make up the atmosphere?
. What reactions happen in the hydrosphere?
• What types of chemicals make up the Earth’s lithosphere?
• How can we extract useful metals from minerals?
C6: Chemical synthesis
• Chemicals and why we need them
• Planning, carrying out and controlling a chemical synthesis
P4: Explaining motion Module
• How can we describe motion?
• What are forces?
• What is the connection between forces and motion?
• How can we describe motion in terms of energy changes?
P5: Electric circuits Module
• Electric current – a flow of what?
• What determines the size of the current in an electric circuit and the energy it transfers?
• How do parallel and series circuits work?
• How is mains electricity produced? How are voltages and currents induced?
• How do electric motors work?
P6: Radioactive materials
• Why are some materials radioactive?
• How can radioactive materials be used and handled safely, including wastes?
Next Exam dates: Exams are held in the summer of 2012
Route 1
Unit A162: Biology 4, 5, 6 – Wednesday, 20th June
Unit A172: Chemistry 4, 5, 6 – Monday, 25th June
Unit A182: Physics 4, 5, 6 – Monday, 21st May
Route 2
Unit A151: B4, C4, P4 – Monday, 21st May
Unit A152: B5, C5, P5 – Monday 25th June
Unit A153: B6, C6, P6 – not examined this year.
