Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification (1SC0)

Biology

• Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology: Cell structure and function, specialised cells, microscopes, enzymes, transport mechanisms.
• Topic 2 – Cells and control: Mitosis, growth, stem cells, nervous system, reflexes.
• Topic 3 – Genetics: DNA, inheritance, monohybrid crosses, genetic variation, Human Genome Project.
• Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification: Evolution, fossil evidence, classification, selective breeding, genetic engineering.
• Topic 5 – Health, disease and the development of medicines: Communicable and non-communicable diseases, pathogens, immune system, antibiotics, non-communicable disease factors.
• Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions: Photosynthesis, limiting factors, transpiration, transport in plants.
• Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis: Hormonal control, menstrual cycle, diabetes, insulin, blood glucose regulation.
• Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals: Exchange surfaces, circulatory system, respiration, cardiac output.
• Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles: Interdependence, sampling techniques, human impact, biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles.

Chemistry

• Formulae, equations and hazards: Chemical formulae, equations, ionic equations, hazard symbols.
• Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry: Atomic structure, periodic table, bonding, types of substances, empirical formulae, conservation of mass, moles.
• Topic 2 – States of matter and mixtures: Particle model, changes of state, separation techniques, chromatography.
• Topic 3 – Chemical change: Acids and bases, neutralisation, salt preparation, electrolysis, redox.
• Topic 4 – Extracting metals and equilibria: Reactivity series, methods of extraction, life-cycle assessment, dynamic equilibrium.
• Topic 6 – Groups in the periodic table: Alkali metals, halogens, noble gases, displacement reactions.
• Topic 7 – Rates of reaction and energy changes: Factors affecting rates, catalysts, exothermic and endothermic reactions, energy profiles.
• Topic 8 – Fuels and Earth science: Hydrocarbons, combustion, cracking, Earth's atmosphere, greenhouse effect, climate change.

Physics

• Topic 1 – Key concepts of physics: SI units, conversions, significant figures.
• Topic 2 – Motion and forces: Scalars/vectors, speed, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s laws, momentum, stopping distances.
• Topic 3 – Conservation of energy: Energy stores, conservation, efficiency, renewable and non-renewable resources.
• Topic 4 – Waves: Wave properties, speed, frequency, wavelength, refraction.
• Topic 5 – Light and the electromagnetic spectrum: Reflection, refraction, lenses, electromagnetic waves.
• Topic 6 – Radioactivity: Atomic models, radiation, half-life, uses and dangers.
• Topic 8 – Energy – Forces doing work: Work, power, energy transfer.
• Topic 9 – Forces and their effects: Moments, levers, pressure, turning effects.
• Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits: Current, resistance, series and parallel circuits.
• Topic 12 – Magnetism and the motor effect: Magnetic fields, electromagnetism, motor effect.
• Topic 13 – Electromagnetic induction: Induced potential, transformers.
• Topic 14 – Particle model: Pressure, temperature, gas laws.
• Topic 15 – Forces and matter: Elasticity, Hooke’s Law, stress-strain:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.