GCSE Science
Distance Learning course

Specification

AQA Science (B) 4462 GCSE Specification
Course Overview
GCSE Science is a must if you wish to pursue a career in Nursing, Forensics and any health related profession.

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:
The thinking behind the doing
Fundamental ideas
Observation as a stimulus to investigation
Designing an investigation
Making measurements
Presenting data
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:
How do human bodies respond to changes inside them and to their environment?
What can we do to keep our bodies healthy?
How do we use/abuse medical and recreational drugs?
What causes infectious diseases and how can our bodies defend themselves against them?
What determines where particular species live and how many of them there are?
Why are individuals of the same species different from each
other? What new methods do we have for producing plants and animals with the characteristics we prefer?
Why have some species of plants and animals died out? How
do new species of plants and animals develop?
How do humans affect the environment?

Chemistry 1 
The learner will be able to understand and explain:
How do rocks provide building materials?
How do rocks provide metals and how are metals used?
How do we get fuels from crude oil?
How are polymers and ethanol made from oil?
How can plant oils be used?
What are the changes in the Earth and its atmosphere?

Physics 1 
The learner will be able to understand and explain:
How is heat (thermal energy) transferred and what factors affect the rate at which heat is transferred?
What is meant by the efficient use of energy?
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
Learning at Home 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
Learning at Home in conjunction with the awarding bodywill 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.

Funding
Learning at Home 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 fees?
A. These vary from centre to centre so you should check with them directly as we do not have access to the information.

Q. Are the courses paper based or on-line?
A. All our courses are paper based and come in attractive sturdy folders.

Q. How do I contact my tutor?
A. Tutors are all working Teachers or Lecturers so contact is by email only.

Q. Why can I not take my exams at when I have completed the course and have to wait?
A. Exams are taken at the same times as schools and colleges and are not flexible.

Q. I want to take my exams but there are only a few months to study, is this possible?
A. Depending on the time of year, it is sometimes impossible to complete your studies in a short space of time as your work has to be marked and checked. More importantly the examination boards have cut off times which are not flexible.