Science IGCSE - A Home Study, Distance Learning Course

COURSE OVERVIEW

A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain a IGCSE in Science. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning IGCSE Science is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for an exam or career through home study. What's more, because the distance learningIGCSE Science course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

This IGCSE course is designed to help meet the needs of those who want an introduction to this challenging subject either with a view to further study at A Level or simply to supplement a portfolio of IGCSE/GCSE subjects.

This qualification will provide you with a broad introduction to the key components of this exciting and challenging field.

The International GCSE in Science (Double Award) aims to impart a systematic body of scientific knowledge and facts, and an understanding of scientific concepts, principles, themes and patterns. Experimental skills based on correct and safe laboratory techniques are developed, as well as students’ ability to form hypotheses and design experiments to test them. This single-tier qualification is suitable for delivery in schools and colleges, and is assessed via three papers – one each from chemistry, biology and physics. Students are awarded two International GCSE grades from A* to G.

Key subject aims

• To impart a systematic body of scientific knowledge and facts, and an understanding of scientific concepts, principles, themes and patterns
• To further students’ appreciation of the practical nature of science, developing experimental skills based on correct and safe laboratory techniques
• To develop an appreciation of the importance of accurate experimental work to scientific method and reporting
• To develop students’ ability to form hypotheses and design experiments to test them
• To sustain and develop an enjoyment of, and interest in, the scientific world
• To foster an appreciation of the significance of science in wider personal, social, environmental, economic and technological contexts, with a consideration of ethical issues
• To enable students to select, organise and present information clearly and logically, using appropriate scientific terms and conventions
• To prepare students for more advanced courses in each of the three scientific disciplines that comprise this specification

Course Key Topics The IGCSE Science course is designed to follow the structure of Edexcel specification 4SC0 and is divided in to three exams

Biology
This section is in 5 modules containing 23 lessons, with 7 Tutor-marked Assignments (TMAs), including a substantial mock Exam (TMA G).

Module 1: Cells and Organisms
Module 2: Plant and Animal Physiology A
Module 3: Plant and Animal Physiology B
Module 4: Inheritance
Module 5: Ecology and Food Production

Chemistry
This section is in 6 modules containing 26 lessons, with 7 TMAs including a substantial mock Exam (TMA G).

Module 1: Principles of Chemistry
Module 2: Chemistry of the Elements
Module 3: Organic Chemistry
Module 4: Physical Chemistry
Module 5: Chemistry in Society
Module 6: Investigative Skills

Physics
This section is in 7 modules containing 29 lessons, with 11 TMAs, including a substantial mock Exam (TMA K).

Module 1: Forces and Motion
Module 2: Electricity
Module 3: Waves
Module 4: Energy Resources and Energy Transfer
Module 5: Solids, Liquids and Gases
Module 6: Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Module 7: Radioactivity and Particles

Home Study Tutor Support

Effective learning is encouraged through frequent activities and self-assessment questions, and there is guidance for the preparation of coursework.

You will be provided with comprehensive materials designed to provide you with everything required to complete your course of study. You will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have. Plus you can contact a Student Advisors by email or phone for all the practical advice you may need – so we really are with you 100%.

You have a lot of resources to help you in your studies; your course blue file, your textbook, internet resources and your tutor. You should make good use of your tutor to help you with any difficulties that you may have during the course especially at the start and there is extra material in the student support portal.

Course Assessments

Self-Assessment Tests
Every lesson is concluded with either a Self-Assessment Test or a Tutor Marked Assignment. Only tackle these when you feel that you have fully mastered the material in the lesson. If it is a Self-Assessment Test, first try to check your answers by referring back to the lesson, and then compare your answers with those given right at the end of the lesson.

Tutor-Marked Assignments
After every two lessons there is a Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA). These are in IGCSE examination style and will thoroughly check your understanding of the previous two lessons. You should send your answers to your tutor, who will return your marked script, together with a set of suggested answers.

Revision
Do not leave all your revision until the end of the course! You will need to revise thoroughly for your examination, but frequent revision throughout the course is essential. Plan your revision sensibly, and re-read as you feel necessary, if your knowledge is beginning to fade.

The last TMA in the course is a mock exam of two papers, following closely the format of the exam itself. You are recommended to study the online practice exam and mark scheme before attempting this TMA and sending it to your tutor. It is also a good idea to restrict yourself to the time specified for the exam, so you have practice writing under time pressure.

Examinations

The examination you will sit consists of two papers. There is no separate practical exam and no practical coursework component; testing of practical skills is built into both of the theory papers. You will be asked practical-based questions as part of your written exam.

Biology Paper 1 Paper code: 4SC0/1B
This is a two-hour examination paper. The total number of marks is 120, one third of the overall total. The paper examines all of the Specification content and all of the assessment objectives.

Chemistry Paper 1 Paper code: 4CH0/1C
This is a two-hour examination paper. The total number of marks is 120, one third of the overall total. The paper examines all of the Specification content and all of the assessment objectives.

Physics Paper 1 Paper code: 4PH0/1P
This is a two-hour examination paper. The total number of marks is 120, one third of the overall total. The paper examines all of the Specification content and all of the assessment objectives.

In both papers there will be a range of compulsory shortanswer, structured questions, which gradually increase in difficulty to ensure accessibility for less-able students, as well as to stretch more-able students. In both papers, students may be required to perform calculations, draw graphs and describe, explain and interpret Sceintific phenomena. Some of the question content may be unfamiliar to students; these questions are designed to assess data-handling skills. Questions targeted at grades A* – B will include questions designed to test knowledge, understanding and skills at a higher level, including some questions requiring longer prose answers.

The IGCSE qualification will be graded and certificated on an eight-grade scale from A* to G. Students whose level of achievement is below the minimum standard for Grade G will receive an unclassified U. Where a candidate is unclassified, this will not be recorded on the IGCSE certificate.