GCSE Science Home Study Course

Specification
AQA Science (B) 4462 GCSE Specification
Course Overview
GCSE Science, following the AQA Science (B) 4462 specification, is a must if you wish to pursue a career in Nursing, Forensics and any health related profession.
The course covers the essential knowledge required in the key subjects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Course Content
Exams: From June 2010.
How Science Works
(An Introduction to the basic principles involved.) 
The learner will be able to understand and apply the following: 

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  The thinking behind the doing


• 
  Fundamental ideas


• 
  Observation as a stimulus to investigation


• 
  Designing an investigation


• 
  Making measurements


• 
  Presenting data


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  Using data to draw conclusions


• 
  Societal aspects of scientific evidence


• 
  Limitations of Scientific Evidence

Biology 1  
The learner will be able to understand and explain:

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  How do human bodies respond to changes inside them and to their environment?


• 
  What can we do to keep our bodies healthy?


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  How do we use/abuse medical and recreational drugs?


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  What causes infectious diseases and how can our bodies defend themselves against them?


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  What determines where particular species live and how many of them there are?


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  Why are individuals of the same species different from each other?


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  What new methods do we have for producing plants and animals with the characteristics we prefer?


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  Why have some species of plants and animals died out?


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  How do new species of plants and animals develop?


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  How do humans affect the environment?

Chemistry 1  
The learner will be able to understand and explain:

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  How do rocks provide building materials?


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  How do rocks provide metals and how are metals used?


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  How do we get fuels from crude oil?


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  How are polymers and ethanol made from oil?


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  How can plant oils be used?


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  What are the changes in the Earth and its atmosphere?

Physics 1  
The learner will be able to understand and explain:

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  How is heat (thermal energy) transferred and what factors affect the rate at which heat is transferred?


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  What is meant by the efficient use of energy?


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  Why are electrical devices so useful?


• 
  How should we generate the electricity we need?


• 
  What are the uses and hazards of the waves that form the electromagnetic spectrum?


• 
  What are the uses and dangers of emissions from radioactive substances?


• 
  What do we know about the origins of the Universe and howit continues to change?

Study Time
To complete this course it will take in the region of 100 study hours which can be spread over a 12 month period to suit the student.
Pre-requisites
No previous study is required to access any of our GCSE courses, but they do require basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Support and Benefits
Full tutor support is available via email by fully qualified professionals.
Exam Dates and Information


Exams are in June of each year and the latest dates for enrolment is December.
If you start your course after December then it is unlikely you can take your exam in June unless your tutor agrees and you can find a centre, they will require late registration fees.
Further Reading and Book List


AQA Science GCSE Science Students Book: Student Book – Ann Fullick, Patrick Fullick.
Publisher: Nelson Thornes; Student edition (24 April 2006) 
ISBN-10: 0748796347
ISBN-13: 978-0748796342
Qualifications
UK Open Learning offers a range of GCSEs and all the course materials map to the very latest criteria laid down by the awarding bodies.
When you have taken your exams you will be awarded a grade which ranges from A – G with G being the lowest.
You will need to take GCSEs to progress onto A Levels and employers look for Maths and English as a minimum requirement for most jobs.
Taking Exams
UK Open Learning in conjunction will give whatever help we can with examination information and finding an exam centre, but entering examinations is entirely the responsibility of the student, and the contract for sitting examinations is between the student and the exam centre. We are not an exam centre so you must read all the information in your course pack carefully and be prepared to travel to a centre which is willing to accept external candidates.
Please do not ask us to provide you with a list of your nearest centres when enquiring about your course as we do not have this information available; you need to contact the awarding body.
Visit AQA
http://web.aqa.org.uk/admin/p_private/
Funding
UK Open Learning does not have access to any funding so if you require a subsidised course please contact your Learn Direct Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do your courses meet the latest syllabus changes?
A. yes, all our course materials meet any changes and will be updated free of charge if further changes are made.
Q. Why do I have to find a centre myself?
A. We have students all over the UK and Europe and it is impossible for us to arrange dates and times for individual students.
Q. What if I cannot find an examination centre?
A. If you wish to gain the qualification then be prepared to travel it is worth it!
Q. How much are exam fee