Biology A2
A Level
Online
Description
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Type
A Level
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Methodology
Online
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Duration
1 Year
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Start date
Different dates available
The course is designed to give you a well rounded knowledge of the subject and to give you the ability to carry on your studies at a higher level. At Level 3 you are not required to have any previous knowledge of the subject, as the materials will take you from no previous knowledge up to Level 3. For Level 5/HND subjects you will be required to have studied at Level 3 or above before enrolment. Suitable for: Suitable for: this course is suitable for all students over the age of 17. Students can study on this course no matter where you are in the world. The course is made up of various units and each build up your knowledge base of the subject. Courses are all delivered in english.
Important information
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This centre has featured on Emagister for 15 years
Subjects
- Immunology
- Access
- Works
- Approach
- Biology
- Recycling
- Materials
- Global
- Project
- Ms Word
Teachers and trainers (1)
Teaching Staff
Tutor
Course programme
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
Your tutor will give you various resource sites to visit and there is extra material on the student common room. 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 ofHow 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 2010
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 2010
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 2010
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.
Biology A2