We are concerned about the content of the GCSE Science material. How can three topics in each of the three sciences be sufficient preparation for further study?
My son is in year 10 and doing GCSE Science. He hopes to study biology and chemistry at A-level and to take a degree in chemistry, ultimately becoming a chemist.
It appears that your son is at a school doing GCSE Science in Year 10 and then GCSE Additional Science in Year 11, rather than doing the two courses concurrently. There are three topics in each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Year 10, and then another three - concepts-led topics - of each science in year 11. Overall this will be a more challenging programme than the double-award science that it has replaced.
GCSE Science plus GCSE Additional Science does prepare people well to study A-levels. This has been amply demonstrated since the pilot course started in 75 schools in 2003.
An independent review of the Additional Science book in the education journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry says: "Science explanations are developed to the point where students have sufficient grounding to take up advanced courses beyond GCSE. ... The authors ... have tackled awkward conceptual material head on, e.g bonding in chemistry, fields in physics and protein synthesis in biology."
Note too that the GCSE Science course that your son is following this year features not only some very important science explanations, but also includes a strand about 'How Science Works' (ideas about science). In other words the course is not only about 'what we know' but also about 'how we know' and 'why knowing these things is important'.
The government Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA) has new criteria for A-level science courses from September 2008. All A-level science courses now include 'How science works'. Your son will be well-prepared for his A-level studies.
