IGCSE Double Science

Study biology, chemistry and physics through our new IGCSE Double Science online course.

If you want a good grounding in all the sciences, then our Double Science IGCSE may suit you well.

The course is equivalent to two GCSEs, with 21 sections – seven each in biology, chemistry and physics. By studying three sciences in this way you will gain a broad perspective.

Double Science opens up a fascinating world of discovery. As Professor Brian Cox says: “One of the great joys of science is to understand something for the first time–to really understand, which is very different from, and far more satisfying than, knowing the facts.”

By studying science you’ll also develop skills of enquiry, accuracy, initiative and inventiveness – qualities that are highly valued by universities and employers. Our Double Science specification enables the learner to develop essential skills in enquiry, problem-solving and analysis in a flexible way which suits their lifestyle. Covering three sciences helps students make an informed choice about pursuing science in the future, such as at A level. It also provides a strong foundation for students wanting to go on to health-related professions like nursing or physiotherapy. Apprenticeship providers, universities and employers value candidates who can demonstrate science-based skills.

Why study Double Science?

If you’re keen to gain a broad introduction to scientific thinking, our IGCSE Double Science online course is perfect. From studying the human circulatory system to explaining how a rainbow is made, through Double Science you’ll open up a fascinating world of discovery.

By choosing online distance learning, you’ll have the flexibility to fit study around your lifestyle, learning at your own pace as you work through a series of engaging topics.

Course content

Biology

Section 1: The nature and variety of living things

• Characteristics of living things
• Animals and plants
• Fungi and protoctists
• Bacteria and viruses

Section 2: Structure in living organisms

• From cells to systems
• Cell structure
• Biological molecules
• Biology Core Practical 1 Food tests
• Enzymes
• Biology Core Practical 2 Temperature and enzyme activity
• Movement of substances
• Biology Core Practical 3 Diffusion and osmosis

Section 3: Nutrition, respiration and gas exchange

• Plant nutrition and growth
• Biology Core Practical 4 Photosynthesis
• Human nutrition
• The human digestive system
• Respiration
• Biology Core Practical 5 Respiration
• Gas exchangein humans
• Core Practical 6 Human breathing

Section 4: Transport and excretion

• Transport systems
• Blood and immunity
• The heart and circulation
• Excretion

Section 5 Coordination and response

• Responding to the environment
• Responses to stimuli in plants
• The human nervous system
• Homeostasis
• Hormones

Section 6: Reproduction and inheritance

• Reproduction in plants
• Biology Core Practical 7 Seed germination
• Reproduction in humans
• DNA and inheritance
• Mitosis and meiosis
• Variation and natural selection

Section 7: Ecology and biological resources

• Organisms in the environment
• Biology Core Practical 8 Investigate population size
• Feeding relationships
• The carbon cycle
• Humans and the environment
• Increasing crop yields
• Microorganisms in food production
• Biology Core Practical 9 Anaerobic respiration in yeast
• Selective breeding and genetic modification

Chemistry

Section 1: Principles of chemistry 1

• States of matter
• Elements, compounds and mixtures
• Chromatography
• Chemistry Core Practical 1 Chromatography
• Atomic structure

Section 2: Principles of chemistry 2

• The Periodic Table
• Ions
• Ionically bonded substances
• Covalent bonding
• Covalently bonded substances

Section 3: Inorganic chemistry 1

• Chemical equations
• Alkali metals
• Gases in the atmosphere
• Chemistry Core Practical 2 Oxygen in air
• Carbon dioxide
• Halogens
• The reactivity series
• Chemistry Core Practical 3 Reacting acids and metals

Section 4: Inorganic chemistry 2

• Rusting
• Oxidation and reduction
• Acids and alkalis
• Solubility
• Acids and bases
• Chemistry Core Practical 4 Prepare copper (II) sulfate
• Chemical tests 1
• Chemical tests 2

Section 5: Quantitative chemistry

• Formula masses and moles
• Reacting masses
• Calculating chemical formulae
• Chemistry Core Practical 5 Formula of a metal oxide
• Empirical and molecular formulae

Section 6: Physical chemistry

• Energy in reactions
• Measuring energy changes
• Chemistry Core Practical 6 Temperature change in reactions
• Rates of reaction
• Chemistry Core Practical 7 Rates of reaction
• Chemistry Core Practical 8 Catalysis
• Reversible reactions

Section 7 Organic chemistry

• Hydrocarbons
• Naming organic compounds
• Classifying organic reactions
• Crude oil
• Fuels and cracking
• Alkanes 1
• Alkenes 2
• Synthetic polymers

Physics

Section 1: Forces and motion

• Distance and speed
• Speed and acceleration
• Forces
• Weight and force
• Physics Core Practical 1 Motion
• Hooke’s law
• Physics Core Practical 2 Hooke’s law
• Maths help 1

Section 2: Electricity and magnetism

• Mains electricity
• Circuits
• Resistance and Ohm’s law
• Charge and current
• Energy and voltage
• Magnetism
• Physics Core Practical 3 Magnetic field patterns
• Electromagnetism
• Electromagnetic induction

Section 3: Waves

• Waves and energy transfer
• Properties of waves
• The electromagnetic spectrum
• Reflection of light 1
• Refraction of light 2
• Total internal reflection
• Physics Core Practical 4 Refraction of light
• Physics Core Practical 5 Refractive index
• Sound waves

Section 4: Energy resources and energy transfers

• Energy transfer
• Thermal energy
• Physics Core Practical 6 Thermal energy transfer
• Work and energy
• Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
• Power

Section 5: Solids, liquids and gases

• Density
• Physics Core Practical 7 Density
• Pressure
• Ideal gases
• Gas laws

Section 6: Radioactivity and particles

• Atomic structure and radiation
• Nuclear equations
• Physics Core Practical 8 Radiation penetration
• Radioactive substances
• Uses and dangers
• Nuclear fission

Section 7: Astrophysics

• Nuclear fusion
• Our universe and solar system
• Gravity
• Stellar evolution

Your tutor

You’ll have access to support from a personal tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience of supporting online learners.

Meet Julie who is just one of our first-class double science tutors:

“I love learning and I love inspiring other people to learn. I’ve worked with students from primary to undergraduate level as I have taught in schools and universities. Now, I specialise in home education and distance learning, teaching people in the UK and overseas. I have a degree in physics with astrophysics and a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) in physics, science and maths, both from the University of Birmingham, and an LLM in Law from the University of Leeds. A senior examiner for several exam boards, I am also a Member of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors.”

What you need to know

Exam board

• Pearson Edexcel

Format

• Online learning with support from a personal tutor

Hours

• Complete at your own pace
• Approx. 240-280* hours plus time for completing assignments

*The specification suggests that 240 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments and prepare yourself for exams. Everyone is different so it’s impossible to say with certainty how long a course will take you, but you should expect it to take you approximately 300 hours. Taken across the length of time we recommend, this equates to approximately 4 hours per week. This will increase if you choose to take it over a shorter time frame.

Assignments

• 21 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade

Resources

• No additional set texts required

Requirements

• Internet access
• Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec

What's included?

Our course fees are open and honest to help you plan for any additional costs.

Your course fee includes:

• Access to learn@nec
• All the course materials you need to complete the course
• Support from a personal tutor for up to 18 months from your date of enrolment
• Assignment marking
• Guaranteed exam place
• NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar guide
• Time planner to help you plan your study timetable
• Information on how to apply for exams

Your course fee does not cover:

• Exam entry fees

Optional extras:

• Additional past paper marking
• Revision tutorial
• Optional tutorial
• Additional review

Exams and assessment

Assessment is by examination only: there is no coursework

Exams (three):

• Biology Paper 1 – (2 hours)
• Chemistry Paper 1 – (2 hours)
• Physics Paper 1 – (2 hour)

There is no non-exam assessment (NEA) for this course.

Our Double Science IGCSE course is ideal if you:

• Are keen to gain a broad foundation in the key ideas and applications of biology, chemistry and physics.
• Want to learn more about how science is studied and applied.
• Would like to discover how scientific research impacts everyday life.
• Are interested in building your observational, analytical and problem-solving skills, to improve your employability.

• No formal qualifications are required for this course
• An ability to read and write in English
• Basic mathematical skills

Future opportunities

• Employers value candidates who can demonstrate science-based skills – such as enquiry, accuracy, initiative and inventiveness.
• Gaining a firm foundation in each subject will help you make an informed choice about pursuing science at A level.