IP Combined Science Notes (Lower Sec, Year 1-2): 00) Overview
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)05 Dec 2025, 00:00 Z
Integrated Programme Combined Science fuses foundational chemistry, biology, and physics ideas into a single storyline. This hub keeps the sequence tight so you can build measurement habits, master microscopic structures, and connect your calculations to real lab data.
How to use these notes
- Skim the Learning Targets section at the start of every post. Tick off objectives after you redo the worked calculations or labelled diagrams without reference.
- Walk through the Worked Examples in detail. Write down the reasoning steps, units, and safety checks before you peek at the final expression.
- Attempt each Try It Yourself drill immediately after reviewing the worked example. Record your corrections, especially when unit conversions or diagram annotations slip.
- Finish every study session by summarising the topic in your own words and sending yourself a WhatsApp voice note — auditory recall locks in conceptual language.
Topic sequence
| Post number | Focus area | Year | Key skills |
| 01 | Scientific Inquiry & Measurement | Y1 | Set up experiments, track significant figures, and perform precise unit conversions. |
| 02 | Particle Model of Matter & States | Y1 | Explain particle spacing/energy, draw kinetic theory diagrams, and apply density calculations. |
| 03 | Elements, Compounds, Mixtures & Separation | Y1 | Distinguish pure substances from mixtures, and justify separation workflows with apparatus diagrams. |
| 04 | Cells, Diffusion & Organisation | Y1-Y2 | Label cell ultrastructure, compare plant/animal tissues, and analyse diffusion/osmosis setups. |
| 05 | Photosynthesis, Nutrition & Cellular Respiration | Y2 | Balance chemical equations, map energy flow in living systems, and link experiments to limiting factors. |
| 06 | Transport Systems in Humans & Plants | Y2 | Interpret circulatory diagrams, calculate blood flow rates, and explain xylem/phloem adaptations. |
| 07 | Forces, Motion & Simple Machines | Y2 | Resolve force diagrams, compute speed/acceleration, and evaluate mechanical advantage. |
| 08 | Work, Energy, Power & Pressure | Y2 | Apply work-energy principles, efficiency calculations, and pressure relationships in solids and fluids. |
| 09 | Waves, Light & Sound | Y2 | Use wave equations, draw ray diagrams, and evaluate sound investigations with frequency analysis. |
| 10 | Electricity & Magnetism Essentials | Y2 | Build circuit explanations, compute current/voltage/resistance values, and track magnetic field interactions. |
Bookmark the hub at https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/ip-combined-sciences-lower-sec-notes. When you reach Year 3, bridge into the upper-secondary subject-specific hubs to keep momentum across physics, chemistry, and biology.
Study cadence planner
| Week | Focus | Outcome |
| 1 | Posts 01-02 | Experimental setup accuracy and density/particle reasoning withstand oral questioning. |
| 2 | Posts 03-04 | Separation technique flowcharts and cell diagrams annotated without prompts. |
| 3 | Posts 05-06 | Bioenergetics explanations and transport calculations aligned with mark scheme language. |
| 4 | Posts 07-08 | Force resolution, energy-work chains, and pressure justifications written line by line. |
| 5 | Posts 09-10 | Wave equations, ray diagrams, and circuit calculations complete with correct units. |
As you work through the posts, log persistent misconceptions so your tutor can target them during consults — especially around proportional reasoning, equation rearrangement, and diagram labelling.
