Critics attack new science GCSE

The new GCSE is aimed at attracting more students to science

The new GCSE science curriculum has been branded "sound bite science" which takes a back-to-front approach.

Sir Richard Sykes, rector of Imperial College London, is among the scientists to attack the core qualification, in which pupils discuss topical issues.

He warned a "dumbed down syllabus" may stop those who did not study chemistry, physics and biology individually from getting into good universities.

The Department for Education said the new GCSEs did involve academic rigour.

In recent years most pupils have studied a "combined science" double GCSE, rather than separate science subjects which are largely confined to grammar and independent schools.

Q&A: Science GCSE controversy

Scientific literacy

But from this September, most are taking a GCSE in "scientific literacy for the 21st Century" - covering issues including global warming and mobile phone technology.

The expectation is they will also do an Additional Science GCSE - either "general", with a more factual basis, or "applied", with a more practical focus.

Science is going to be relegated to the position of Latin and Greek and will only be taught in the independent schools Baroness Mary Warnock Send us your comments

However, Sir Richard told BBC News: "If you wish to have a dumbed-down syllabus for the general population that's fine.

"But for those who really want to go on and study a subject in depth, and particularly go to a good university like Imperial, then they'll never get there unless they study the individual subjects and take A-levels in these individual subjects."

He believes the new GCSEs will make it harder for pupils from state schools to study science at top universities as science departments prefer more traditional courses.

Educationalist Baroness Mary Warnock shared his concern.

"Science is going to be relegated to the position of Latin and Greek and will only be taught in the independent schools," she said.

CORE: SCIENTIFIC LITERACY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Built around key concepts and "the nature of science and how it works": You and your genes The Earth in the Universe Food matters Radiation and life Material choices Keeping healthy Radioactive materials Life on Earth Assessed through minimum 25% external exams and 25% coursework

But the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) said it proposes to establish co-operation between schools, colleges and universities by 2008 so every child who wishes to can study the three separate sciences.

Professor Andrew Hunt from the Nuffield Curriculum Centre, a pioneer of the new course, said it was time to ask what everybody needed from their science education.

"The problem we have always had is that we have designed each stage of education thinking about the people who will go on to the next stage, regarding everyone else as expendable.

"The education that we offer everybody should be something that adds meaning and is worthwhile for their future adult lives."

The debate was sparked by a report from the Institute of Ideas think tank, in which Sir Richard wrote: "A science curriculum based on encouraging pupils to debate science in the news is taking a back-to-front approach."

He added: "Science should inform the news agenda, not the other way round."

'Suitable only for the pub'

In a critical essay published by the institute, David Perks, head of physics at Graveney School, London, also describes the changes as a "dumbing down" of the subject.

He argues the new qualification will produce citizens without "a thorough grounding in the sciences" and suggests instead everyone should study separate chemistry, physics and biology.

Ethicist Baroness Mary Warnock, who has also joined the debate, added: "What counts as an issue to be debated in class is largely, as David Perks points out, dictated by the press.

"Far too much teaching at school has already degenerated into this kind of debate, more suitable for the pub than the school room."

But the Department for Education and Skills said the qualification would be academically rigorous while encouraging more young people to consider studying science post-16.

A spokesman said under the new programme, pupils would study more than one science subject.