GCSE / IGCSE Combined Science (Pearson Edexcel)

Gain a clear understanding of how the GCSE and IGCSE Combined Science courses are structured and what to expect throughout your studies. This unit explains the differences between the two qualification pathways, outlines the exam formats, and introduces the practical activities that form part of the specification. You will also receive guidance on how to study effectively in an online environment.

Build the study habits and independent learning strategies that will underpin your success across all three science disciplines. The unit covers exam preparation techniques, note-taking and revision methods tailored to science subjects, and how to navigate the online learning platform. Links to the official Pearson Edexcel qualification specifications are provided for reference throughout your studies.

Investigate the structure and function of cells, the fundamental units of all living organisms. You will examine prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell types, the role of organelles, and how cells are adapted to carry out specific functions. The unit also covers cell division including mitosis and meiosis, and how stem cells are used in research and medicine.

Explore how cells are organised into tissues, organs, and organ systems in plants and animals. The unit covers the structure and function of the digestive system, the circulatory system including the heart and blood vessels, and the respiratory system. You will also examine how plants transport water and nutrients, and how the organisation of cells in leaves enables efficient photosynthesis.

Study the causes and spread of communicable diseases, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. You will examine the body's defence mechanisms, both non-specific and specific immune responses, and how vaccines and antibiotics work. The unit also covers the development and testing of new medicines, with reference to the role of clinical trials in establishing drug safety and efficacy.

Examine the chemical processes by which living organisms obtain and use energy. You will study photosynthesis in detail, including the factors that affect its rate, and how plants use glucose. Aerobic and anaerobic respiration are both covered, along with the role of ATP as the energy currency of cells and the responses of organisms to exercise.

Investigate how the human body maintains stable internal conditions, including temperature regulation, blood glucose control, and water balance. The unit covers the nervous system, the endocrine system and the role of hormones, and how these two systems work together to coordinate responses to internal and external stimuli. Reproductive hormones and their role in the menstrual cycle are also examined.

Explore the mechanisms of inheritance and the basis of genetic variation between individuals. You will study DNA structure, the principles of Mendelian genetics, how characteristics are inherited through dominant and recessive alleles, and what happens when mutations occur. The unit also covers Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and the evidence that supports it, including fossil records and antibiotic resistance.

Study the relationships between organisms and their environments, from individual populations to entire ecosystems. The unit covers food webs, nutrient cycles including the carbon and nitrogen cycles, and how human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and farming practices affect biodiversity. You will also examine conservation strategies and the role of ecology in addressing climate change.

Examine the defining characteristics that distinguish living organisms from non-living matter, including the seven life processes: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition. This unit reinforces foundational biological concepts and provides a framework for understanding how biological classification systems are used to organise life on Earth.

Investigate the major biological molecules that make up living organisms and how their structure relates to their function. You will study the composition of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, the role of enzymes as biological catalysts, and the structure of DNA. The unit includes the basic concepts of genetics, including how DNA controls protein synthesis through transcription and translation.

Begin the chemistry section of the course by exploring the structure of atoms, the arrangement of electrons in shells, and how the periodic table organises elements by atomic number and electronic structure. You will examine the properties of metals, non-metals, and the groups and periods of the table, with a particular focus on Group 1 alkali metals, Group 7 halogens, and Group 0 noble gases.

Study the different types of chemical bonding, including ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds, and understand how the type of bonding in a substance determines its physical properties. The unit covers simple molecular structures, giant covalent structures such as diamond and graphite, and the properties of metals and alloys. You will also examine the structure and properties of polymers and nanoparticles.

Develop the mathematical skills needed to carry out calculations in chemistry, including calculating relative atomic mass, moles, and concentrations of solutions. The unit covers conservation of mass, empirical and molecular formulas, and how to use balanced equations to calculate the quantities of reactants and products. Percentage yield and atom economy are also introduced as measures of reaction efficiency.

Examine the main types of chemical reactions including acid–base reactions, oxidation, reduction, and electrolysis. You will study the reactivity series of metals and use it to predict displacement reactions. The unit covers the production of salts, the role of hydrogen and hydroxide ions in pH, and how electrolysis is used in industry to extract metals and plate surfaces.

Investigate the energy changes that occur during chemical reactions, distinguishing between exothermic reactions that release heat and endothermic reactions that absorb it. You will learn to draw and interpret reaction profile diagrams, calculate energy changes using bond energies, and understand the role of activation energy. Practical applications such as hand warmers and refrigerants are used to contextualise these concepts.

Study the factors that affect how quickly chemical reactions occur, including temperature, concentration, pressure, surface area, and the use of catalysts. You will apply collision theory to explain why these factors influence reaction rates, and interpret rate graphs from experimental data. The unit also covers reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium, including how changing conditions shifts the position of equilibrium.

Introduce the chemistry of carbon-based compounds, beginning with the alkane and alkene homologous series. You will study the naming and properties of hydrocarbons, the reactions of alkenes including addition reactions, and the production of addition polymers. The unit also covers crude oil and fractional distillation, and the societal and environmental implications of our dependence on hydrocarbon fuels.

Develop analytical techniques used to identify unknown substances in a laboratory context. The unit covers tests for common gases, flame tests for identifying metal ions, and chromatography for separating and identifying mixtures. You will also study precipitation reactions used to identify halide and sulfate ions, and learn how these analytical methods underpin quality control in industry and forensic science.

Examine the composition and history of the Earth's atmosphere, from its early volcanic origins to its current mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases. The unit covers the carbon cycle, the causes of climate change, and the chemistry of greenhouse gases. You will also study air pollution, including the formation of acid rain and its effects, and the measures being taken to reduce atmospheric pollution.

Begin the physics section by studying the forces that act on objects and the resulting motion. You will use Newton's three laws of motion to analyse everyday situations, examine speed–time and distance–time graphs, and calculate velocity, acceleration, and momentum. The unit also covers stopping distances, the effects of friction and air resistance, and the physics of falling objects.

Investigate electric circuits, current, voltage, and resistance, applying Ohm's law to both series and parallel circuits. You will calculate electrical power and energy, study the characteristics of different circuit components such as diodes and LDRs, and examine the principles of static electricity. The unit also covers mains electricity, domestic wiring, and electrical safety, including the role of fuses and circuit breakers.

Study the properties of waves, including amplitude, frequency, wavelength, and wave speed, and apply the wave equation to both transverse and longitudinal waves. You will examine the electromagnetic spectrum and the properties and uses of each wave type from radio waves to gamma rays. The unit also covers reflection, refraction, and the behaviour of sound waves, including ultrasound applications in medicine and industry.

Examine the different energy stores and transfers, and apply the principle of conservation of energy to practical scenarios. You will compare renewable and non-renewable energy resources, evaluate their advantages, limitations, and environmental impact, and calculate efficiency in energy transfers. The unit also considers the global energy challenge and the scientific, economic, and social factors that influence energy policy.

Explore the properties of the three states of matter at a particle level, explaining how changes of state and gas behaviour arise from the motion of particles. You will apply the kinetic theory to explain pressure, temperature, and volume relationships in gases, including Boyle's law. The unit also covers specific heat capacity and specific latent heat, providing the theoretical basis for understanding heating and cooling processes.

Study permanent magnets, magnetic fields, and the force on current-carrying conductors in a magnetic field. You will examine the motor effect and how it is applied in electric motors and loudspeakers, and study electromagnetic induction, explaining how generators and transformers work. The unit also covers the use of the national grid in distributing electricity efficiently across the country.

Examine the structure of the atom and the nature of radioactive decay, distinguishing between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation in terms of their properties, penetrating power, and ionising ability. You will study half-life and use it to calculate the remaining activity of a radioactive source over time. The unit also covers nuclear fission and fusion, including their applications in nuclear power stations and the challenges of managing nuclear waste.

Explore the scale of the universe, from our solar system to distant galaxies, and examine the evidence for the Big Bang theory. You will study the life cycle of stars, from nebula to main sequence star to eventual collapse, and understand the role of nuclear fusion in stellar energy production. The unit also covers the electromagnetic radiation emitted by stars and how scientists use spectral analysis to determine the composition, temperature, and motion of distant objects.