AQA Combined Science Overview

Combined Science Overview

• AQA Combined Science is a two-year course providing a broad understanding of scientific principles across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
• The course covers fundamental concepts, practical skills, and problem-solving.
• Exam assessment is typical for the course.
• Course content may vary depending on the specific AQA Combined Science specification.

Biology

• Cells: Structure and function of different cell types (animal and plant). Key organelles and their roles.
• Biological Molecules: Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids; structures, properties, and functions.
• Enzymes: Factors influencing enzyme activity; lock and key/induced fit model.
• Biological Systems: Digestion, respiration, transport systems in plants and animals, hormone/nerve coordination, homeostasis.
• Inheritance: Genetic information, DNA structure, gene expression, genetic variations, Mendelian inheritance (limitations).
• Evolution: Natural selection, speciation, and evidence for evolution (fossils, comparative anatomy).
• Ecology: Ecosystem interactions, food chains, food webs, energy flow, nutrient cycles.
• Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis.

Chemistry

• Atomic Structure: Atom structure (protons, neutrons, electrons), electron configuration, periodic table.
• Chemical Bonding: Ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding; substance properties related to bonding.
• Reactions: Acids, bases, neutralization, redox reactions, electrochemistry.
• Quantitative Chemistry: Moles, reacting masses, concentration, titrations.
• Organic Chemistry: Alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, properties, reactions, and uses.
• Energy Changes: Exothermic and endothermic reactions.
• Materials: Properties of metals and polymers and their uses.
• Experimental Techniques: Appropriate apparatus use and calculations.

Physics

• Motion: Displacement, velocity, acceleration, and forces.
• Energy: Kinetic and potential energy, work, power, energy transfer.
• Waves: Wave properties, including light and sound waves.
• Electricity: Current, voltage, resistance, and circuits.
• Magnetism: Magnetic fields, electromagnets, and electromagnetic induction.
• Forces: Types and effects of forces, Newton's laws of motion.
• Heat: Thermal energy, specific heat capacity, and thermal transfer.
• Radioactivity: Types of radiation, half-life, and applications.

General Skills

• Practical Techniques: Developing practical skills through structured experiments, analysis, and safe technique.
• Data Analysis: Interpreting experimental data and graphical representations; drawing conclusions.
• Scientific Method: Hypothesis formation, experimental design, and evaluating results.
• Problem Solving: Applying scientific concepts to solve problems and real-world situations.
• Communication: Using scientific language precisely and effectively, including technical terms and reasoned argument.