Middle School Curriculum 2024-2026

Biology

Chemistry

Edexcel IGCSE Biology 4BI1

Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry 4CH1

How is the course assessed? The final grade is based on performance in two written examinations:

Why study Biology? This is a fascinating subject in which you will learn how your body works, how genes control your cells and how humans have affected the environment. You will improve your skills in comprehension, data analysis and evaluation. Biology IGCSE will allow you to pursue future studies in a wide range of areas, such as medicine, sports science, psychology, neuroscience, data science, and environmental and climate science. What does the course cover? Biology is an area of study based around life processes and living things. The course covers a range of unifying patterns and themes across the subject areas: The nature and variety of living organisms; Structures and functions in living organisms; Reproduction and inheritance; The use of biological resources; and Ecology and the environment. The course will support the development of experimental skills within the lab and outside of it, and considers areas which inform current affairs such as anthropogenic effects on the environment, food production, and genetic engineering.

Why study Chemistry? Chemistry is concerned with matter and so it is the study of everything. It affects every aspect of our lives; from the intricate biochemical reactions occurring in our cells to the industrial scale production of food. Chemistry is not only responsible for everything we have now but is also at the forefront of research to improve the future. Specifically, it is the study of particles and how they combine and react. You will acquire a knowledge and understanding of chemical patterns and apply them to both familiar and unfamiliar situations. This is a highly practical subject, and a substantial part of lesson time is spent carrying out investigations, where you are encouraged to make links to theoretical ideas. In this rapidly-changing technological world, you will also develop chemical understanding and skills that enable you to problem-solve in a wider context.

Paper 1: 61% of final mark 2 hours

A mixture of question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Paper 2: 39% of final mark 1 hour 15 minutes A mixture of question styles, with a greater emphasis on scientific literacy.

What does the course cover? The course covers a broad scope of the study of Chemistry, with plenty of opportunity for practical work, and provides a very solid foundation from which to graduate to further study.

Areas studied include:

• Principles of Chemistry – all about atoms • Inorganic Chemistry – all about the elements • Organic Chemistry – the stuff of life (carbon) • Physical Chemistry – how everything reacts How is the course assessed? The final grade is based on performance in two written examinations:

Paper 1: 61% of final mark 2 hours

A mixture of question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.

Paper 2: 39% of final mark 1 hour 15 minutes

A mixture of question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.