Course Content: Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Modern biology is a vast and eclectic field, however, despite the broad scope of biology, there are certain general and unifying concepts within it that govern all study and research, consolidating it into single, coherent fields. Year 1 of the course gives students an understanding of Biological basics from cells to whole organisms. It then moves on to look at interactions between organisms and genetic information. It is split into the following four topics; Biological Molecules, Cell Biology, Exchange, Genetics. For AS-students this is the only content assessed. Year 2 of the course gives students the opportunity to learn at a deeper level and allows for more opportunity to apply their knowledge to a range of biological phenomena. It is designed to give students a complete understanding of the principles of biology to allow them to study a particular field further. It is split into the following four topics; Energy Transfers, Homeostasis, Genetics and finally Gene Control. Practical work forms an integral part of the course with students being required to show proficiency in a number of techniques such as handling hazardous microorganisms, microscopy and dissection. Students will be assessed on these skills throughout the course and an understanding of these skills is required for the external examinations. The study of Biology goes well beyond the human. It is vital that students of Biology have an intellectual curiosity about the huge range of living organisms and should be interested to learn about a wide variety of animals, plants and microorganisms.
Name: Biology Qualification title: GCE A Level in Biology Qualification type: GCE A/AS Level or equivalent Assessment Examinations: Topics Assessed: 1. Biological molecules 2. Cells 3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment 4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms 5. Energy transfers in and between organisms 6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments 7. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems 8. The control of gene expression. A- level Paper 1, topics 1 - 4, 35% of A- level 76 marks: mixture of short and long answer questions 15 marks: extended response questions Paper 2, Topics 5 8, 35% of A- level. 76 marks: mixture of short and long answer questions 15 marks: extended response questions Paper 3, Topics 1 8 including practical skills, 30% of A- level. 38 marks: structured questions, including practical techniques 15 marks: critical analysis of given experimental data 25 marks: one essay from a choice of two titles Coursework: 40 practical tasks are completed over the two years of the course with 20 in each year. 12 of these are the required exam board practical tasks which are examined within paper 3. The additional tasks are to build up the required practical skills in the subject. Awarding Assessment & Qualifications Alliance Created 20161007 09:11:04 Updated 20161216 11:43:53
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Queen Mary's Grammar School
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