Blog · 8 September 2026

Integrated science in first year: three sciences in one subject

Physics, chemistry and biology in one subject, two units in term one, and an exam that is 85% multiple choice.

What the subject is

Integrated science combines chemistry, physics and biology into one subject, taught by one teacher whose specialism is one of the three.

That is deliberate: the point is to see a phenomenon whole instead of split across three books.

Term-one units

Unit one: the aquatic ecosystem (about 10 lessons)

  • The hydrosphere
  • Chemical and physical properties of water
  • Aqueous solutions
  • The biological importance of water
  • Adaptations of organisms in aquatic environments
  • The effect of atmospheric gases, light, solar radiation and water pressure on aquatic life
  • Ecological balance and the human role in sustaining aquatic life

Unit two: the atmosphere

  • Components and layers of the atmosphere
  • Chemical reactions in the atmosphere
  • Physical factors and their effects
  • The role of science in sustaining the atmosphere

The exam

  • 85% multiple choice (20 marks, one per question)
  • 15% essay (two questions, two marks each)
  • Two hours
  • Levels: comprehension 50%, application 40%, higher levels 10%

How to study it

  1. Tie each lesson to its science. Ask yourself: is this physics, chemistry or biology? It aids understanding and prepares you for year two.
  2. Tables and diagrams beat prose. Water properties and atmospheric layers are memorised best as a table.
  3. Use examples from your own life. Solutions, pressure and ecological balance are all around you.
  4. Practise multiple choice now — 85% of the paper is that.

One rumour worth knowing

In September 2026 it was claimed integrated science had been dropped for first year. The ministry denied it through its spokesman. The subject stands.

And the languages version?

We carry Integrated science (English) and Integrated science (Arabic), and show you only your school's. Which language will you study in?

Sources

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