ZIMBABWE
MINISTRY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
COMBINED SCIENCE
SYLLABUS
FORMS 1 – 4
2015 - 2022
Curriculum Development Unit
P. O. Box MP 133
MOUNT PLEASANT
HARARE
©All Rights Reserved
2015
,Combined Science (Form 1 - 4) Syllabus
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The 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
i
,Combined Science (Form 1 - 4) Syllabus
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i
1.0 0 PREAMBLE............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 0 RATIONALE.............................................................................................................................................1
1.3 0 SUMMARY OF CONTENT...................................................................................................................... 1
1.4 0 ASSUMPTIONS...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.5 0 CROSS- CUTTING THEMES.................................................................................................................. 1
2.0 0 PRESENTATION OF THE SYLLABUS....................................................................................................1
3.0 0 AIMS........................................................................................................................................................ 1
4.0 0 SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES...................................................................................................................... 1
5.0 0 METHODOLOGY AND TIME ALLOCATIONS........................................................................................ 2
6.0 0 TOPICS.................................................................................................................................................. 2
7.0 0 SCOPE AND SEQUENCE ................................................................................................................... 3
8.0 0 COMPETENCY MATRIX....................................................................................................................... 10
9.0 0 ASSESSMENT........................................................................................................... 86
ii
, Combined Science (Form 1 - 4) Syllabus
1.0 PREAMBLE • Environmental issues
• Socio-cultural beliefs
1.1 INTRODUCTION 2.0 PRESENTATION OF THE SYLLABUS
This syllabus covers four years of Secondary Edu- This Form 1 to 4 Combined Science syllabus is
cation, Forms 1 – 4. The syllabus provides an un- presented as a single document which consists of
derstanding in Combined Science and a suitable the preamble, rationale, summary of content, as-
preparation for the study of science related fields. sumptions, cross cutting themes, aims, objectives,
It aims to equip learners in their diverse needs with topics, methodology, time allocation, scope and
scientific skills of long term value in an increasing- sequence, competency matrix and assessment.
ly technological world. A learner- centred practical The content is divided into Biology, Chemistry and
approach to the subject is adopted to develop sci- Physics sections.
entific thinking and application of acquired knowl-
edge and skills. 3.0 AIMS
The aims of the syllabus are to enable learners to:
1.2 RATIONALE 3.1 provide an opportunity to develop desirable
This syllabus develops learners’ basic scientific scientific literacy
skills in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. It devel- 3.2 promote critical thinking, creativity and prob-
ops knowledge, understanding and practical appli- lem solving skills that apply to real life situa-
cation of basic scientific concepts and principles tions
as well the ability to handle information and critical 3.3 develop scientific practical skills, accuracy,
thinking. Learners will gain practical experience objectivity, integrity, enquiry and team work
and leadership skills through individual and group 3.4 develop attitudes relevant to science such
experimental work as self-initiative, self-managing and enter-
prising
1.3 SUMMARY OF CONTENT 3.5 relate scientific practices to sustainable use
The Combined Science learning area covers basic and extraction of value from our natural re-
concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The sources
syllabus covers science concepts such as observ- 3.6 participate in the technological development
ing, recording, measuring, presentation, interpre- of Zimbabwe and the global world.
tation of data and analysis. It also imparts practical
skills such as handling of apparatus, chemicals, 4.0 SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES
plant and animal specimens safely and confidently. Learners will be able to:
4.1 apply scientific principles in solving prob-
1.4 ASSUMPTIONS lems and in understanding new situations
It is assumed that learners have: 4.2 describe observations, record results, inter-
• knowledge of the content of the Science and pret and draw conclusions from experiments
Technology syllabus offered in Junior School 4.3 demonstrate knowledge of scientific terms,
• engaged in science experiments laws, facts, concepts, theories and phenom-
• engaged in project and cooperative work ena
• used measuring instruments such as rulers, 4.4 demonstrate knowledge and understand-
thermometers, clocks and balances ing in relation to scientific and technological
applications with their social, economic and
1.5 CROSS- CUTTING THEMES environmental implications
In order to foster competency development for fur- 4.5 demonstrate relevant attitudes to science
ther studies, life and work, the following cross-cut- such as accuracy and precision, objectivity,
ting priorities have to be taken into consideration in integrity, enquiry initiative, team work and in-
the teaching and learning of Combined Science: ventiveness
• Gender 4.6 demonstrate knowledge and understand-
• Children’s rights and responsibilities ing of scientific instruments and apparatus
• Disaster risk management including techniques of operations and as-
• Financial literacy play store pects of safety
• Health issues 4.7 use different forms of data presentation to
• Heritage studies give rational explanations of scientific phe-
• Collaboration nomena
1
MINISTRY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
COMBINED SCIENCE
SYLLABUS
FORMS 1 – 4
2015 - 2022
Curriculum Development Unit
P. O. Box MP 133
MOUNT PLEASANT
HARARE
©All Rights Reserved
2015
,Combined Science (Form 1 - 4) Syllabus
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The 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
i
,Combined Science (Form 1 - 4) Syllabus
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i
1.0 0 PREAMBLE............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 0 RATIONALE.............................................................................................................................................1
1.3 0 SUMMARY OF CONTENT...................................................................................................................... 1
1.4 0 ASSUMPTIONS...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.5 0 CROSS- CUTTING THEMES.................................................................................................................. 1
2.0 0 PRESENTATION OF THE SYLLABUS....................................................................................................1
3.0 0 AIMS........................................................................................................................................................ 1
4.0 0 SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES...................................................................................................................... 1
5.0 0 METHODOLOGY AND TIME ALLOCATIONS........................................................................................ 2
6.0 0 TOPICS.................................................................................................................................................. 2
7.0 0 SCOPE AND SEQUENCE ................................................................................................................... 3
8.0 0 COMPETENCY MATRIX....................................................................................................................... 10
9.0 0 ASSESSMENT........................................................................................................... 86
ii
, Combined Science (Form 1 - 4) Syllabus
1.0 PREAMBLE • Environmental issues
• Socio-cultural beliefs
1.1 INTRODUCTION 2.0 PRESENTATION OF THE SYLLABUS
This syllabus covers four years of Secondary Edu- This Form 1 to 4 Combined Science syllabus is
cation, Forms 1 – 4. The syllabus provides an un- presented as a single document which consists of
derstanding in Combined Science and a suitable the preamble, rationale, summary of content, as-
preparation for the study of science related fields. sumptions, cross cutting themes, aims, objectives,
It aims to equip learners in their diverse needs with topics, methodology, time allocation, scope and
scientific skills of long term value in an increasing- sequence, competency matrix and assessment.
ly technological world. A learner- centred practical The content is divided into Biology, Chemistry and
approach to the subject is adopted to develop sci- Physics sections.
entific thinking and application of acquired knowl-
edge and skills. 3.0 AIMS
The aims of the syllabus are to enable learners to:
1.2 RATIONALE 3.1 provide an opportunity to develop desirable
This syllabus develops learners’ basic scientific scientific literacy
skills in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. It devel- 3.2 promote critical thinking, creativity and prob-
ops knowledge, understanding and practical appli- lem solving skills that apply to real life situa-
cation of basic scientific concepts and principles tions
as well the ability to handle information and critical 3.3 develop scientific practical skills, accuracy,
thinking. Learners will gain practical experience objectivity, integrity, enquiry and team work
and leadership skills through individual and group 3.4 develop attitudes relevant to science such
experimental work as self-initiative, self-managing and enter-
prising
1.3 SUMMARY OF CONTENT 3.5 relate scientific practices to sustainable use
The Combined Science learning area covers basic and extraction of value from our natural re-
concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The sources
syllabus covers science concepts such as observ- 3.6 participate in the technological development
ing, recording, measuring, presentation, interpre- of Zimbabwe and the global world.
tation of data and analysis. It also imparts practical
skills such as handling of apparatus, chemicals, 4.0 SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES
plant and animal specimens safely and confidently. Learners will be able to:
4.1 apply scientific principles in solving prob-
1.4 ASSUMPTIONS lems and in understanding new situations
It is assumed that learners have: 4.2 describe observations, record results, inter-
• knowledge of the content of the Science and pret and draw conclusions from experiments
Technology syllabus offered in Junior School 4.3 demonstrate knowledge of scientific terms,
• engaged in science experiments laws, facts, concepts, theories and phenom-
• engaged in project and cooperative work ena
• used measuring instruments such as rulers, 4.4 demonstrate knowledge and understand-
thermometers, clocks and balances ing in relation to scientific and technological
applications with their social, economic and
1.5 CROSS- CUTTING THEMES environmental implications
In order to foster competency development for fur- 4.5 demonstrate relevant attitudes to science
ther studies, life and work, the following cross-cut- such as accuracy and precision, objectivity,
ting priorities have to be taken into consideration in integrity, enquiry initiative, team work and in-
the teaching and learning of Combined Science: ventiveness
• Gender 4.6 demonstrate knowledge and understand-
• Children’s rights and responsibilities ing of scientific instruments and apparatus
• Disaster risk management including techniques of operations and as-
• Financial literacy play store pects of safety
• Health issues 4.7 use different forms of data presentation to
• Heritage studies give rational explanations of scientific phe-
• Collaboration nomena
1
