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Biology

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Biology Course Outline

As Biology aims to encourage learners to develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they link together, develop and demonstrate deep appreciation of skills, scientific knowledge and methods.

There are a minimum of 12 practical’s that have to been completed over the 2 years - the skills that need to be demonstrated are the same across all three sciences. It is essentially Pass/Fail as judged by the teachers. Students should keep dated records of what they have done in a ‘Lab Book’. The practical component will be a separate comment on the final certificate.

The Content is split into four teaching modules:

  • Module 1 – Development of practical skills in biology.
  • Module 2 – Foundations in Biology
  • Module 3 – Exchange and transport
  • Module 4 – Biodiversity, evolution and disease

Both components assess content from all four modules.

Breadth in Biology (70 marks): 1 hour 30 minutes written paper 50%

Depth in biology   (70 Marks): 1 hour 30 minutes written paper 50%

A summary of the content for the AS level course is as follows:

Module 1 - Development of practical skills in biology.          

1.1.1 Planning                                  

1.1.2 Implementing                                           

1.1.3 Analysis                                                     

1.1.4 Evaluation.

Module 2 – Foundations in biology               

2.1.1 Cell structure.                                     

2.1.2 Biological molecules                              

2.1.3 Nucleotides and nucleic acids.             

2.1.4 Enzymes

2.1.5 Biological membranes

2.1.6 Cell division, cell division and cellular. 

Module 3- Exchange and Transport

3.1.1 Exchange Surfaces

3.1.2 Transport in Animals

3.2.2 Transport in Plants

Module 4 – Biodiversity, evolution and disease

4.1.1 Communicable diseases organisation

4.2.1 Disease prevention and the immune system

4.2.2 Biodiversity Classification and evolution

The course is divided into four teaching modules, practical activities are embedded in the learning outcomes to encourage as much practical activity as possible.

The specification has been designed to be co-teachable with the A Level in Biology A qualification. Learners studying the A level study modules 1 to 4 and then continue with the A level only modules 5 and 6 in year 13. The internally assessed Practical Endorsement Skills also form part of the full A Level. It aims to develop competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem solving issues. Students should understand how society makes choices and decisions on scientific issues and how science contributes to society and the wider economy.

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