COMBINED SCIENCE SYLLABUS

1 MINISTRY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATIONCOMBINED SCIENCESYLLABUSFORMS 1 42015 - 2022 Curriculum Development UnitP. O. Box MP 133 MOUNT PLEASANTHARARE All Rights Reserved2015 ZIMBABWECOMBINED 126/10/2016 10:28:50 AMiACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would like to acknowledge contributions made by the following towards the development and production of this SYLLABUS : The National SCIENCE SYLLABUS Panel Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Government Departments Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, SCIENCE and Technology Development UNICEF UNESCO COMBINED SCIENCE (Form 1 - 4) SyllabusCOMBINED 226/10/2016 10:28:50 AMiiTABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SUMMARY OF CROSS- CUTTING PRESENTATION OF THE SYLLABUS METHODOLOGY AND TIME SCOPE AND SEQUENCE.

2 COMPETENCY 86 COMBINED SCIENCE (Form 1 - 4) SyllabusCOMBINED 326/10/2016 10:28:50 INTRODUCTION This SYLLABUS covers four years of Secondary Edu-cation, Forms 1 4. The SYLLABUS provides an un-derstanding in COMBINED SCIENCE and a suitable preparation for the study of SCIENCE related fields. It aims to equip learners in their diverse needs with scientific skills of long term value in an increasing-ly technological world. A learner- centred practical approach to the subject is adopted to develop sci-entific thinking and application of acquired knowl-edge and skills. RATIONALE This SYLLABUS develops learners basic scientific skills in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

3 It devel-ops knowledge, understanding and practical appli-cation of basic scientific concepts and principles as well the ability to handle information and critical thinking. Learners will gain practical experience and leadership skills through individual and group experimental SUMMARY OF CONTENT The COMBINED SCIENCE learning area covers basic concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The SYLLABUS covers SCIENCE concepts such as observ-ing, recording, measuring, presentation, interpre-tation of data and analysis. It also imparts practical skills such as handling of apparatus, chemicals, plant and animal specimens safely and ASSUMPTIONS It is assumed that learners have: knowledge of the content of the SCIENCE and Technology SYLLABUS offered in Junior School engaged in SCIENCE experiments engaged in project and cooperative work used measuring instruments such as rulers, thermometers, clocks and CROSS- CUTTING THEMES In order to foster competency development for fur-ther studies, life and work, the following cross-cut-ting priorities have to be taken into consideration in the teaching and learning of COMBINED SCIENCE .

4 Gender Children s rights and responsibilities Disaster risk management Financial literacy play store Health issues Heritage studies Collaboration Environmental issues Socio-cultural PRESENTATION OF THE SYLLABUS This Form 1 to 4 COMBINED SCIENCE SYLLABUS is presented as a single document which consists of the preamble, rationale, summary of content, as-sumptions, cross cutting themes, aims, objectives, topics, methodology, time allocation, scope and sequence, competency matrix and assessment. The content is divided into Biology, Chemistry and Physics AIMS The aims of the SYLLABUS are to enable learners to: provide an opportunity to develop desirable scientific literacy promote critical thinking, creativity and prob-lem solving skills that apply to real life situa-tions develop scientific practical skills, accuracy, objectivity, integrity, enquiry and team work develop attitudes relevant to SCIENCE such as self-initiative, self-managing and enter-prising relate scientific practices to sustainable use and extraction of value from our natural re-sources participate in the technological development of Zimbabwe and the global SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES Learners will be able to.

5 Apply scientific principles in solving prob-lems and in understanding new situations describe observations, record results, inter-pret and draw conclusions from experiments demonstrate knowledge of scientific terms, laws, facts, concepts, theories and phenom-ena demonstrate knowledge and understand-ing in relation to scientific and technological applications with their social, economic and environmental implications demonstrate relevant attitudes to SCIENCE such as accuracy and precision, objectivity, integrity, enquiry initiative, team work and in-ventiveness demonstrate knowledge and understand-ing of scientific instruments and apparatus including techniques of operations and as-pects of safety use different forms of data presentation to give rational explanations of scientific phe-nomenaCombined SCIENCE (Form 1 - 4) SyllabusCOMBINED 126/10/2016 10:28.

6 51 AM2 plan, organize and carry out experimental investigations draw scientific diagrams in two dimensions apply scientific principles, formulae and methods to solve qualitative and quantitative problems apply scientific principles, methods and tech-niques in value addition and beneficiation of our natural resources use appropriate methods of recycling and/or disposing wastes communicate scientific information logically and METHODOLOGY AND TIME Methodology Emphasis should be placed on providing learners with practical experience so that they appreciate SCIENCE as an active and exciting study. Princi-ples of individualisation, concreteness, totality and wholeness, self-activity and stimulation should under pin the implementation of teaching/learning methods in this learning area.

7 The following meth-ods are suggested: Experiments Demonstration Problem solving Field trips Games Cooperative learning/Group work Simulations Case studies/Research Question and Answer Discussions Surveys, Interviews and Report writing Concept mapping Visual tactile Time allocation For adequate coverage of the SYLLABUS , a time allocation of 8 periods of 35 minutes per week is recommended. Double periods are recommend-ed to accommodate practical work. The class size should not exceed 35 learners. At least 2 educa-tional tours per year are BIOLOGY: Laboratory rules and safety Cells and levels of organization Nutrition Respiratory system Transport systems Reproduction in plants and animals Health and CHEMISTRY: Matter Acids, Bases and Salts Oxidation and Reduction Industrial Processes Organic Chemistry PHYSICS: Measurements Force Energy Magnetism ElectricityCombined SCIENCE (Form 1 - 4) SyllabusCOMBINED 226/10/2016 10:28.

8 51 AM3 COMBINED SCIENCE (Form 1 - 4) SYLLABUS 1 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form Laboratory Safety andapparatus Laboratory rulesand safety Introduction tolaboratory Cellsand levels of organization Plant and animalcell structure Similaritiesand differences of plant and animal cells Types of variation: continuous and discontinuous Structures and functions of specialized cells Use of a microscope Nutrition Diet Photosynthesis Digestive systemin humans Factors affecting rate of photosynthesis Conditions necessary for photosynthesis Teeth and digestion Human diet: balanced diet Deficiency diseases Food testsCOMBINED 326/10/2016 10:28:52 AM4 COMBINED SCIENCE (Form 1 - 4) SYLLABUS 2 Respiratory systems Respiratory gases Respiratory organs Breathing mechanism Gaseous exchange in alveoli Respiration: aerobic and anaerobic respirationTOPICFORM 1 FORM 2 FORM 3 FORM Transport systems Osmosis and diffusion Components of blood Root and stem structure Water and ion uptake Heart structureand associated blood vessels Transpiration: factors affecting rate of transpiration Measurement of transpiration Plasmolysis Turgidity Blood circulation Adaptations of plants to reduce transpiration Structure of blood REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS Reproduction in plants.

9 Flower structure, pollination, fertilization, seed dispersal Human reproductive organs Puberty Detailed structure of a wind and an insect-pollinated flower Functions of Human reproductive organs Structure of the seed Germination Male and female reproductive systems Sex cells Fertilisation,pregnancy,placenta and child care Menstrual cycle Asexual and sexual reproduction in plants Inheritance Methods of contraception ContraceptivesCOMBINED 426/10/2016 10:28:52 AM5 3 1 FORM 2 FORM 3 FORM SEPARATION Filtration Magnetism, Winnowing, Decanting, Evaporation Applications of filtration, magnetism, winnowing, decanting, evaporation Distillation, Fractional distillation Paper chromatographyCombined SCIENCE (Form 1 - 4) SyllabusCOMBINED 526/10/2016 10:28:53 AM6 4 MATTER States of matter Kinetic theory Period table.

10 Identification of elements Metals and non-metals Elements mixtures and compounds Concentrations of solutions Groups and periods Structure of atoms Electronic configurations Periodic table Nuclide notation Names and groups of elements Moleconcept,empiricaland molecular formulae concentration Reactivity series Factors affecting rate of reactionCombined SCIENCE (Form 1 - 4) SyllabusCOMBINED 626/10/2016 10:28:53 AM7 5 TOPICFORM 1 FORM 2 FORM 3 FORM ACIDS,BASES AND SALTS Identification of acids and bases: litmus paper test Acid-base reactions pH scale preparation of salts reactions of metal + acid, acid + base , acid + carbonate Titration of bases with INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES Production of peanut butter Production of soap Fractional distillation of liquid Electrolysis Electroplating Haber process Contact OXIDATION AND REDUCTION Rusting: factors Chemical reactions: combustion Extraction of iron Alloy formationiCombined SCIENCE (Form 1 - 4) SyllabusCOMBINED 726/10/2016 10:28.