Combined Science (Zimbabwe Form 1-4)

This course integrates Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, providing a broad scientific foundation. It emphasizes practical skills and scientific inquiry. Textbooks such as "Focus on Combined Science" and "A Practical Approach to Combined Science" are commonly used. Additional resources include the Zimsec Combined Science app and various online notes. The syllabus is available from ZIMSEC.

Biology

This section covers fundamental biological principles.

• Laboratory Rules and Safety: Emphasizes safe laboratory practices and the proper use of equipment.
• Cells and Levels of Organization: Introduces cell structure and function, and explores the hierarchical organization of life from cells to ecosystems.
• Nutrition: Covers nutrient types, dietary requirements, photosynthesis, and factors affecting plant growth.
• Transport Systems: Explores transport mechanisms in plants and animals.
• Respiration: Examines the process of respiration in living organisms.
• Excretion: Covers waste removal processes in plants and animals.
• Reproduction: Introduces asexual and sexual reproduction in plants and animals.
• Health and Wellbeing: Focuses on maintaining good health and preventing diseases.
• Ecosystems: Explores the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Chemistry

This section introduces basic chemical concepts.

• Matter and its Properties: Covers the states of matter, physical and chemical changes, and separation techniques.
• Acids, Bases, and Salts: Explores the properties of acids, bases, and salts, and their reactions.
• Periodic Table: Introduces the periodic table and the classification of elements.
• Chemical Reactions: Covers different types of chemical reactions, balancing equations, and stoichiometry.

Physics

This section covers fundamental physics principles.

• Measurement: Focuses on units of measurement, scientific notation, and significant figures.
• Motion: Explores concepts of speed, velocity, acceleration, and forces.
• Energy: Covers different forms of energy, energy transfer, and work.
• Electricity: Introduces basic electrical circuits, current, voltage, and resistance.
• Magnetism: Explores the properties of magnets and magnetic fields.
• Light: Covers the properties of light, reflection, and refraction.
• Sound: Explores the properties of sound waves.