Switching to AQA from OCR Gateway Science B and Additional Science B If you re thinking of switching to AQA from OCR Science B (Gateway) and Additional Science B (J261 and J262) for teaching from September 2016, this resource will provide a helpful comparison of the subject content and assessment for each awarding body. It directly compares current OCR Science B (Gateway) and Additional Science B with the new AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy specification (8465). Comparison overview OCR The OCR specification is modular to fit the two exam papers for each GCSE with the additional controlled assessment units. AQA The content is divided into two main sections, Life and environmental sciences and Physical sciences, with no overlapping content. Both sections include topics that draw together and apply key concepts. Assessment Four externally assessed written papers (1 hour 45 minutes). Paper 1 4 and p 8. Papers 1 and 3 focus on A01 and A02; papers 2 and 4 focus on A02 and A03. Fundamental principles run through both papers. Two externally assessed written papers: Module 1 (B711) 1 hour 15 mins Module 2 (B712) I hour 30 mins). B712 has a 10 mark data response question assessing AO3. Controlled assessment (25%). Additional Science B: two externally assessed written papers: Module 3 (B721) 1 hour 15 min Module 4 (B722) 1 hour 30 mins.
B722 has a 10 mark data response question assessing AO3. Controlled assessment (25%) Content Overview The content is organised into two sections, each of four topics: 1. Life and environmental sciences: 4.1 Building blocks: from atoms to cells 4.2 Transport over larger distances: systems in animals and plants and how these systems interact 4.3 Interactions with the environment: the effects of factors in the environment on organisms and how our choices affect our health 4.4 Explaining change: how organisms, species, living and non-living systems change over time. 2. Physical sciences: 4.5 Building blocks for understanding: organising, patterns, properties and analysis 4.6 Interactions over small and large distances: strong and weak forces between atoms, molecules and larger structures and how they In each specification, the content is organised into two units, each covering three modules. Science B Unit B711: B1: Understanding Organisms C1: Carbon Chemistry P1: Energy for the Home. Science B Unit B712: B2: Understanding our environment C2: Chemical resources P2: Living for the future. Additional Science B Unit B721: B3: Living and Growing C3: Chemical Economics P3: Forces for Transport. Additional Science B Unit B722: B4: It s a Green World C4: The Periodic Table P4: Radiation for Life.
interact 4.7 Movement and interactions: rates of change of motion and direction of large and small objects, chemical changes 4.8 Guiding Spaceship Earth towards a sustainable future: resources of materials and energy. Practicals The 16 required practicals are clearly listed, and may be examined in the written papers to assess practical skills. Opportunities for development of skills are identified in the right-hand column of the specification. These should encourage more practical work which will motivate students and encourage the transfer of skills across the subject. The controlled assessment for each specification has three parts: Research and collecting secondary data Planning and collecting primary data Analysis and evaluation. Working scientifically WS 1.1 to WS 4.6 Specification references: 3.3 Fundamental Scientific Processes 5.1 Controlled assessment tasks (internal assessment)
'Working scientifically' is the sum of all the activities that scientists do and is woven throughout the specification and written papers. There are crossreferences to relevant activities in the content. The compulsory practicals are listed in 8.2, together with the relevant techniques. They are integrated into the content specification. Overall, questions based on the compulsory activities will count for at least 15% of the overall marks. The use of apparatus and techniques specific to physics are listed in 8.1 AT 7. Unit content identifies opportunities for skill development throughout with references to WS, MS (Mathematical requirements) (7) and Use of apparatus and techniques (8.1). 10 Appendix B lists Physics equations. There are some variations between the specifications in the way equations are expressed. OCR specification has interpreted the principles of Fundamental Scientific Processes as providing candidates with an understanding of: how scientific explanations have been developed their limitations how they may impact on society. The table in 3.3 identifies how items of the specification relate to specific learning outcomes. In addition, Fundamental Chemical Concepts (formulae, equations, bonds and the names of simple compounds) are identified at the start of each chemistry module C1 C6). Suggestions for practical work and research are listed throughout the specifications. For each specification: Appendix B lists mathematical skills. Appendix C lists physical quantities and units, but not equations. Appendix E lists electrical symbols. Life and environmental sciences 4.1 Building blocks 4.1.1 States of matter P1 Energy for the Home
4.1.2 Atomic structure P2 Living for the future 4.1.3 Cells in plants and animals 4.1.4 Waves. B3 Living and Growing C3: Chemical Economics B4 It s a Green World C4 The Periodic Table P4 Radiation for life. 4.1.1.1 4.1.1.5 states of matter, the particle model, density gas pressure heating and changes of state, including specific heat capacity, specific latent heat meanings of purity. P1a Heating houses: changes of state, specific heat capacity, specific latent heat C3b Rate of reaction (2): particle model C3g Batch or continuous: Purity of a compound. 4.1.2.1 4.1.2.5 models of the atom, size of atoms sub-atomic particles isotopes electrons in atoms. 4.1.3.1 4.1.3.6 electron microscopy cell structures transport in and out of cells mitosis and the cell cycle meiosis cell differentiation. 4.1.4.1 4.1.4.5 C4a: Atomic structure: subatomic particles, electronic structures, isotopes P2e Nuclear radiation: ionisation and atomic structure P4e What is radioactivity?: Ionisation and isotopes. B3 Molecules of life: cell structure B3d Cell division; mitosis and meiosis B4d Diffusion and osmosis B3f Growth and development: differentiation. transverse and longitudinal waves P1c A spectrum of waves: types of waves, electromagnetic waves,
wave equation electromagnetic waves radio waves and reflection and refraction (HT). wave equation, reflection and refraction. Required practicals: Investigate, using appropriate apparatus, the densities of regular and irregular solid objects and liquids. Investigate the specific heat capacity of one or more materials. Investigate the effect of salt or sugar solutions on plant tissue. N/A 4.2 Transport over larger distances 4.2.1 Systems in the human body 4.2.2 Plants and photosynthesis. B1 Understanding Organisms B3 Living and Growing B4 It s a Green World. 4.2.1.1 4.2.1.7 aerobic and anaerobic respiration B3c Respiration: aerobic and anaerobic circulatory system, blood cells B3e The circulatory system digestive system B1d The nervous system nervous system B1f Staying in balance: hormones. endocrine system. 4.2.2.1 4.2.2.8 meristems plant structures transpiration B1g Controlling plant growth: tropisms and growth B4d Photosynthesis B4d leaves and photosynthesis
chlorophyll and other pigments photosynthesis B4e Transport in plants: plants structures, translocation, transpiration translocation plant diseases. B4: Farming: control of plant diseases. Required practicals: Investigate the effect of a factor on human reaction time. Investigate paper chromatography of pure coloured substances and mixtures. Investigate the effect of a factor on the rate of photosynthesis. N/A 4.3 Interactions with the environment 4.3.1 Lifestyle and health 4.3.2 Radiation and risk 4.3.3 Preventing, treating and curing diseases. B1 Understanding Organisms P2 Living for the Future B3 Living and Growing P4 Radiation for Life. 4.3.1.1 4.3.1.8 health and disease, risks and communicable diseases treatments for cardiovascular disease B1a Fitness and health: blood pressure; heart disease; smoking B1e Drugs and you: alcohol homeostasis B1b Human health and diet insulin and diabetes human reproductive hormones, contraception and infertility. B1c Staying healthy: communicable diseases: risks B1f Staying in balance:
homeostasis, diabetes, 4.3.2.1 4.3.2.7 absorption and emission of radiation radioactive decay, half-life penetration of radiation contamination and irradiation ionising radiation cancer. 4.3.3.1 4.3.3.9 spread of communicable diseases human communicable diseases defences against pathogens human immune system, vaccination, medicines, new drugs genetic modification, stem cells. 4.4 Explaining change P2e Nuclear radiations: types of radiation, penetrating power, dealing with radioactive waste, ionisation and the effects on human cells P4e What is radioactivity?: types of radiation; half-life P4f Uses of radioisotopes P4: Treatment: medical uses, risks and contamination. B1c Staying healthy: communicable diseases: causes and treatments; the immune system B3g New genes for old: genetic modification. 4.4.1 The Earth's atmosphere 4.4.2 Ecosystems and biodiversity 4.4.3 Inheritance 4.4.4 Variation and evolution. B1 Understanding Organisms C1 Carbon Chemistry P1 Energy for the Home B2 Understanding our Environment C2 Chemical Resources P2 Living for the Future B3 Living and Growing
B4 It s a Green World. 4.4.1.1 4.4.1.8 development of the atmosphere carbon cycle the greenhouse effect human impacts on the climate climate change pollutants and air quality water cycle and sources of potable water. C: Clean air: composition of the atmosphere; development of the atmosphere B2c Recycling: carbon cycle B2g Population and pollution: global warming, acid rain, ozone depletion P1h Stable Earth: CFCs and the ozone layer P2c Global warming. 4.4.2.1 4.4.2.7 organisation of ecosystems interdependence and competition abiotic and biotic effects on communities field work biodiversity human effects on ecosystems. B2b Energy flow: food chains, webs, energy transfer B2d Interdependence: competition; predators and prey B2e Adaptations: related to abiotic and biotic factors B4a Ecology in the local environment: field work, biodiversity B2g Population and pollution: human effects on the world B2h Sustainability: need for conservation C1c Clean air: pollutants C2b Construction materials: effects of mining or quarrying C2g Fertilisers and crop yields: pollution and eutrophication. 4.4.3.1 4.4.3.4 chromosomes and genes B3a Molecules of life: genes and DNA
sex determination in humans single gene inheritance genotype and phenotype. B1h Variation and Inheritance: chromosomes, genes, sex determination, monohybrid cross. 4.4.4.1 4.4.4.6 mutations B3b Proteins and mutations evolution through natural selection B2f Natural selection: mutations and evidence for evolution evidence for evolution identification and classification of living things selective breeding B2a Classification B3g New genes for old: genetic engineering. genetic engineering. Required practicals: Distillation of salt solution to obtain water. Investigate the effect of an abiotic factor on the distribution of a species. N/A
Physical sciences 4.5 Building blocks for understanding 4.5.1 The periodic table 4.5.2 Chemical quantities. C3 Chemical Economics C4 The Periodic Table. 4.5.1.1 4.5.1.5 atomic number and the periodic table metals and non-metals Group 0 Group 1 Group 7. 4.5.2.1 4.5.2.6 chemical equations conservation of mass, relative formula mass moles, calculations from equations and concentrations (HT). C4a Atomic structure: atomic number and the periodic table C4f Transition elements: metals and their properties C4c The Periodic table and covalent bonding: similarities in periods and groups C4d The Group 1 elements C4e The Group 7 elements. Fundamental Chemical Concepts (formulae, equations, bonds and the names of simple compounds) are identified at the start of each chemistry module C1 C6). C3d Reacting masses: relative formula mass and symbol equation calculations C3e Percentage yield and atom economy: calculations form equations. 4.6 Interactions over small and large distances Current EOCR specification
Current EOCR specification 4.6.1 Forces and energy changes 4.6.2 Structure and bonding 4.6.3 Magnetism and electromagnetism. C1 Carbon Chemistry P3: Forces for Transport C4 The Periodic Table. 4.6.1.1 4.6.1.7 forces as vectors resolving vectors (HT) work mass and weight Gravitational Potential Energy, elastic deformation, energy stored in a stretched spring. 4.6.2.1 4.6.2.7 P3d Work and power: work, weight P3e Energy on the move: kinetic energy P3f Crumple zones: deformation P3h The energy of games and theme park rides: Gravitational Potential Energy, kinetic energy. types of chemical bonding, ionic bonding and properties C1a Making crude oil useful: covalent bonding covalent bonding and properties metallic bonding and properties. C1d Making polymers: covalent bonding and polymerisation C4b Ionic bonding: properties C4c The Periodic table and covalent bonding: types of bonding C4g Metal structures and properties: metallic bonding. 4.6.3.1 4.6.3.6 magnets and magnetic fields, the Earth's magnetism the magnetic effect of current motor effect and electric motors This section is not covered in these OCR specifications.
Current EOCR specification (HT). Required practicals: Investigate the relationship between force and extension for a spring. N/A 4.7 Movement and interactions 4.7.1 Forces and motion 4.7.2 Electricity 4.7.3 Acids and alkalis 4.7.4 The rate and extent of chemical change 4.7.5 Atoms into ions and ions into atoms. C2 Chemical Resources P2 Living for the Future P3 Forces for Transport C4 The Periodic Table P4 Radiation for Life. 4.7.1.1 to 4.7.1.10 speed and velocity, distance, speed and time, circular motion (HT) free fall Newton's laws kinetic energy stopping distances. 4.7.2.1 4.7.2.9 P3a Speed: speed and velocity; speed and time P3b Changing speed: speed and time P3c Forces and motion: stopping distances P3f Crumple zones: Newton s laws P3g Falling safely: free fall and terminal velocity. electric current, resistance and potential difference series and parallel circuits circuit symbols direct current (dc) and alternating current (ac) P2b Generating electricity: direct current (dc) and alternating current (ac), the National Grid P2d Fuels for power: power ratings and domestic appliances
main cables power and domestic appliances the National Grid. P4c Safe electricals: mains cables and plugs, current, resistance, power and voltage. 4.7.3. 1 4.7.3.5 reactions of acids making salts energy changes and reactions ph scale strong and weak acids (HT). C2f Acids and bases: ph scale, neutralisation, making salts C3f Energy: exothermic and endothermic reactions. 4.7.4.1 4.7.4.10 factors affecting reaction rate surface area, temperature, concentration and pressure activation energy bond breaking and bond forming (HT) catalysts, enzymes reversible reactions dynamic equilibrium factors affecting equilibrium (HT). C3a Rate of reaction (1): limiting factors. C3b Rate of reaction (2): factors affecting the rate of reaction: temperature, concentration, pressure C3c Rate of reaction (3): catalysis, surface area C3f Energy: Bond making and breaking C2e Manufacturing chemicals: reversible reactions, factors affecting equilibrium. 4.7.5.1 4.7.5.5 metals reactivity series electrolysis tests for gases electron transfer reactions (HT). Required practicals: N/A C4d The Group 1 elements: reactivity in Group 1 C2h Chemicals from the sea: electrolysis of salt.
Investigate the effect of varying the force and/or mass on the acceleration of an object. Investigate, using circuit diagrams to set up a circuit, the factors that affect the resistance of an electrical component. Investigate, using circuit diagrams to construct circuits, the V-I characteristics of a filament lamp, a diode and a resistor at constant temperature. Preparation of a pure, dry sample of a soluble salt from an insoluble oxide or carbonate. Investigate how changes in concentration affect the rates of reactions by methods involving the production of a gas or a colour change. Investigate the effect of a factor on the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction. Investigate what happens when aqueous solutions are electrolysed using inert electrodes. 4.8 Guiding Spaceship Earth towards a sustainable future 4.8.1 Carbon chemistry 4.8.2 Resources of materials and energy. C1 Carbon chemistry P1 Energy for the Home C2 Chemical resources P2 Living for the Future C3 Chemical Economics. 4.8.1.1 4.8.1.4 bonding and structure in forms of C3h Allotropes of carbon: diamond, graphite,
carbon Buckminsterfullerene hydrocarbons in crude oil fractional distillation, cracking hydrocarbons. C1a Making crude oil useful: fractional distillation, alkanes and alkenes, cracking. C1d Making polymers: hydrocarbon bonding. 4.8.2.1 4.8.2.9 metal extraction by reduction and electrolysis biological methods of metal extraction (HT) C2c Metals and alloys: extraction by reduction and electrolysis energy resources energy conservation and dissipation preventing unwanted energy transfers efficiency life cycle assessment of materials or products recycling. P2a Collecting energy from the Sun: photocells, wind turbines P1b Keeping homes warm: and P2b: Generating electricity: efficiency C2d Making cars: recycling C2e Manufacturing chemicals: consideration of manufacturing costs.