A Level in Biology (Full AS+A2)

Introduction

Welcome to the Biology AS course.

This course is based on two approaches:

• The concept-led approach which includes study of the laws, theories and models of biology, exploring the practical application of these in both knowledge and with reference to everyday life.
• The context-led approach considers applications of biological knowledge and looks at the underpinning concepts.

This particular course will offer both these approaches in combination, so students will benefit from a mixed approach; this is more appropriate for distance learning students as there is a need for flexibility. The assessment criteria and structure is the same for both approaches. After each topic there will be a tutor marked assignment, this can be emailed to your tutor as an attachment in Word, Works or RTF format. You will be sent a welcome letter by your tutor, as soon as you make contact, which will outline assignment submission in more detail.

There is a project element to the AS award which expects distance learning students to reflect on practical biological knowledge as well as theoretical. This project will be based upon a field visit but does not require students to have laboratory access.

Your project will be marked and moderated by an independent coursework marker at the centre where you sit your examinations. There may be a fee for the marking. All distance learning students should download the Private Candidates Handbook form Edexcel's website which gives you guidance on finding an examination centre and registering. Likewise, International students need to download the specific handbook for them, which will give alternative examination arrangements etc.

The web site is: www.edexcel.org.uk

Your tutor will give you various resource sites to visit and there is extra material on the On Campus area on our website. In addition there are several supporting texts books for this course but again this depends on which approach you are following and which book best suits your individual needs:

Biology for AS by C.J. Cleg; ISBN 978-0-340-96623-5

This book is for the context-led approach and comes with a CD-ROM for which there is a single user licence and this gives you extensive animated diagrams, material and an electronic glossary.

Edexcel AS Biology (Student?s Book) ISBN 978-1-4058-9632-0

This is for the concept-based approach and again has an accompanying CD-ROM which allows you to access additional material.

The whole course is assessment objectives based and combines a number of learning outcome expectations. The assessment objective weightings for the AS award are as follows:

AO1	Knowledge and understanding of science and of How Science Works	30-34%
AO2	Application of knowledge and understanding of AO3 science and of How Science Works	34-40%
AO3	How Science Works	28%
	Total	100%

The Units

Unit 1: Lifestyle, Transport, Genes and Health -Unit code 6B101

This unit carries 40% of the total AS marks and 20% of the total GCE marks

The unit is externally assessed.
Availability: January and June

Content summary

• Structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins; enzyme action
• Structure and properties of cell membranes; passive and active transport
• Structure and role of DNA and RNA
• Replication; protein synthesis
• Monohybrid inheritance
• Gene mutations
• Principles of gene therapy; social and ethical issues

Assessment

This unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper which lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes:

• Objective questions
• Structured questions
• Short answer questions
• How Science Works
• Practical-related questions

Unit 2: Development, Plants and the Environment - Unit code 6B1202

This unit carries 40% of the total AS marks and 20% of the total GCE marks

The unit is externally assessed Availability: January and June

Content summary

• Cell structure and ultra structure of eukaryote and prokaryote cells: cell specialisation
• The role of meiosis
• Genotype and environmental influence
• Stem cell research and its implications
• Biodiversity, adaptations and natural selection
• Principles of taxonomy
• Plant cell structure
• Transport of water in plants
• Uses of plant products

Assessment

This unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper which lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes:

• Objective questions
• Structured questions
• Short answer questions
• How Science Works
• Practical-related questions

Unit 3: Practical Biology and Research Skills - Unit code 6B103

This unit is worth up to 20% of the total AS marks and 10% of the total GCE marks

The unit is externally assessed
Availability: June

Summary

You will write a report of between 1500 and 2000 words which will be either a record of a visit to a site of biological interest, or a report of research into a biological topic. Your practical skills knowledge will be assessed within this unit but for distance learning students this will not be hands-on.

Assessment

The report will be marked and moderated by Edexcel and the ?practical knowledge element will be authenticated by your tutor.

The full specification can be viewed and downloaded from the Edexcel website.

How Science Works

You may have noticed that this phrase comes up in assessment and objective criteria. This builds on from Key Stage 4 science and is related to the following:

• The use of theories and models, ideas and clarifications
• The ability to use knowledge and understanding to address scientific problems
• The ability to use appropriate methodology and ICT to answer scientific questions
• Practical knowledge and risk assessment
• Analysis and interpretive skills
• Evaluation skills
• Be able to communicate information and ideas using appropriate approach and terminology

Summary

The introduction has covered the basic course content and assessment criteria. Further information can be obtained through Edexcel.

The final assessment criteria and structure is the same regardless of which approach you choose.

Your tutor will support you with your project formulation and give you guidance with appropriate topics and ideas.

Predicted grades can only be given upon sufficient assignment submissions, and students are encouraged to complete all assignments as they provide valuable revision resources for written examinations and ensure that all topics have been covered.

A Level in Biology (A2) 9BI01

A2 Biology

This course is based on two approaches and builds on the knowledge gained from both AS and GCSE level:

• The concept-led approach which includes study of the laws, theories and models of biology, exploring the practical application of these in both knowledge and with reference to everyday life.
• The context-led approach considers applications of biological knowledge and looks at the underpinning concepts

This particular course will offer both these approaches in combination, so students will benefit from a mixed approach; this is more appropriate for distance learning students as there is a need for flexibility. The assessment criteria and structure is the same for both approaches. After each topic there will be a tutor marked assignment, this can be emailed to your tutor as an attachment in Word, Works or RTF format.

There is a project element to the A2 award which expects distance learning students to reflect on practical biological knowledge as well as theoretical. This project will be based upon an individual experiment but does not require students to have laboratory access.

Your project will be marked externally and moderated by Edexcel

www.edexcel.org.uk

Your tutor will give you various resource sites to visit and there is extra material on the student common room (ODL). In addition there are several supporting texts books for this course but again this depends on which approach you are following and which book best suits your individual needs:

Biology for A2 by C.J.Cleg TBC expected date of publishing May 09

This book is for the context-led approach and comes with a CD-ROM for which there is a single user licence and this gives you extensive animated diagrams, material and an electronic glossary.

Edexcel A2 Biology (Student's Book) TBC expected date of publishing early 09

This is for the concept-based approach and again has an accompanying CD-ROM which allows you to access additional material.

The whole course is assessment objectives based and combines a number of learning outcome expectations. The assessment objective weightings for the A2 award are as follows:

AO1	Knowledge and understanding of science and of How Science Works	26-30%
AO2	Application of knowledge and understanding of AO3 science and of How Science Works	42-48%
AO3	How Science Works	26%
	Total	100%

The units

A2 Unit 4: The Natural Environment and Species Survival - Unit code 6B104

This unit carries 40% of the total A2 marks and 20% of the total GCE marks

The unit is externally assessed

Availability: January and June

First assessment January 2011

Content summary:

• Photosynthesis; energy transfer within ecosystems
• Evidence for global warming
• Evolution through natural selection and speciation
• Nutrient recycling
• DNA profiling and PCR
• Structure of bacteria and viruses
• Infectious diseases and immunology

Assessment:

This unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper which lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes:

• Objective questions
• Structured questions
• Short answer questions
• How Science Works
• Practical-related questions

Unit 5: Energy, exercise and coordination - Unit code 6B105

This unit carries 40% of the total A2 marks and 20% of the total GCE marks

The unit is externally assessed

Availability: January and June

First assessment June 2011

Content summary:

• ATP, glycolysis, anaerobic/aerobic respiration
• Control and functioning of heart, ventilation and cardiac output
• Homeostasis
• The nervous system
• Impact of exercise on body, and improving performance
• Hormonal coordination
• Brain structure and development
• Imbalances in brain chemicals
• Human Genome Project

Assessment:

This unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper which lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes:

• Objective questions
• Structured questions
• Short answer questions
• How Science Works
• Practical-related questions

Unit 6: Practical Biology and Investigative Skills - Unit code 6B106

This unit is worth up to 20% of the total A2 marks and 10% of the total GCE marks

The unit is externally assessed

Availability: June

First assessment June 2011

Summary:

You will write a report of between 2700 and 3300 words which will be about an experiment or investigation that you have designed and carried out. Your practical skills knowledge will be assessed within this unit but for distance learning students this will not be hands-on.

Assessment:

The report will be marked externally and moderated by Edexcel and the practical knowledge element will be authenticated by your tutor.

The full specification can be viewed and downloaded from the Edexcel website.

How Science Works

You may have noticed that this phrase comes up in assessment and objective criteria. This builds on from Key Stage 4 science and is related to the following:

• The use of theories and models, ideas and clarifications
• The ability to use knowledge and understanding to address scientific problems
• The ability to use appropriate methodology and ICT to answer scientific questions
• Practical knowledge and risk assessment
• Analysis and interpretive skills
• Evaluation skills
• Be able to communicate information and ideas using appropriate approach and terminology

Summary

The introduction has covered the basic course content and assessment criteria. Further information can be obtained through Edexcel. The final assessment criteria and structure is the same regardless of which approach you choose.

Your tutor will support you with your project formulation and give you guidance with appropriate topics and ideas.

Entry Requirements

Basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given.

Study Hours

Approximately 300 hours.

Qualification

AS/A2 - A level in Biology. Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.

Specification: Edexcel (AS) 8BI01 and Edexcel (A2) 9BI01

www.edexcel.org.uk

Online Enrolment

Available Options:

Course Material Format: OnlineKindle/Tablet (+£25.00)Paper (+£65.00)Paper & Kindle/Tablet (+£90.00)

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