GCSEScience: Gateway Science Suite - Science B - J640

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Important information

Important information regarding entries for all Gateway Science specifications. For more information, please read the full notice (PDF, 50Kb) .

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Specification (third edition - updated 27 October 2008)

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Notice to centres - Entries information

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Specimen assessment material - All units

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Overview

This Science course forms part of the linked Gateway Science Suite of specifications: Science B, Additional Science B, Biology B, Chemistry B and Physics B. This linked suite allows Centres flexibility in the delivery of GCSE courses in Science and the separate Sciences.

Centres piloting GCSE Science have helped the development of this course. OCR is the only awarding body to have piloted any of the new GCSE Sciences. The primary objective of this course is to interest and engage students in science.

This is achieved by:

  • Identifying activities and experiences which will excite their interest, and linking these to scientific ideas and their implications for society.
  • Providing opportunities to develop science explanations and theories.
  • Providing a scheme of assessment which gives regular feedback.

This approach will appeal to students of all abilities.

Candidates taking GCSE Science with GCSE Additional Science (or Additional Applied Science A from the Twenty First Century Science Suite), or GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics, will have the experience necessary to progress to appropriate level 3 qualifications.

OCR offers a full range of support for this specification which includes training meetings, sample and past question papers and mark schemes, coursework guidance materials and a coursework consultancy scheme. In addition, two publishers, Collins Educational and Heinemann, have produced a range of resource materials which are designed to support teachers and students.

Specification aims

The aims of this specification are to encourage students to:

  • Develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, science.
  • Develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods.
  • Acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and its essential role in society.
  • Acquire scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for progression to further learning.