Biology (Level 3)

Biology course (level 3 diploma)

The Level 3 Diploma course is divided into ten comprehensive modules:

Module One - Lifestyle, Health and Risk Part 1

The course starts with the basic building blocks of life from the basic atoms to the complex molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. What is needed to sustain life, where did oxygen come from, and what properties of water help sustain life? How simple molecules react, combine into structures and complex substances such as amino acids which then build the very many different proteins, each having their particular characteristic and use, e.g. enzymes and the muscle that helps animals move.

Module Two - Lifestyle, Health and Risk Part 2

The usefulness of the more complex molecules, e.g. to our diet is looked at following on from module 1. We start by looking at what constitutes a healthy diet and what tests there are for the different food groups. How is food processed, broken up used and controlled within the body. A range of systems and processes maintain sufficient energy, water, oxygen and manage the waste within our body. We study transport e.g. of food and oxygen, and how the heart regulates the flow throughout the body. What happens if our diet and life-style is unhealthy, the illness, disorders and diseases that occur as a result are examined. The module ends with to collect and analyse data, statistics and demonstrating their application and purpose to Biology.

Module Three - Genes and Health

Once cells are formed what processes do they use to take in food and oxygen, and rid waste? How did cells differentiate and form complex organelles, and how do these then functions within the body to provide humans with life processes such as breathing, transport and homeostasis. Are the processes within simple celled organisms and the organs within our body or that of other animals like fish which have gills rather than lungs similar or vastly different? How cells differentiate, the role of enzymes, cell division and reproduction is addressed by looking at DNA and genetic codes, and advances in recognising gene abnormalities.

Module Four - The Voice of the Genome

The fourth module continues with the themes of genes and how they differ in various living organisms. How cells divide asexually through mitosis and sexually through meiosis is covered in detail. The structure of the cell (which is not widely different to single-celled organisms) and the organelles within each are studied to see how they function, their role in replication, and how they work together to form multi-celled structures like tissues. The study of plant and human reproductive organs continues this theme as they position the different forms of cellular reproduction in the formation of egg (ovum) and sperm/ male cells. Evolution of genetics is also covered to show various related discoveries and theories.

Module Five - Biodiversity and Natural Resources

The transport system of plants, although different to animals, is complex and efficient. Water, nutrient solutes and energy from the sun are harnessed, taken in and transported to where they are needed. Plants and other organisms developed and were selected over others is theorised by Darwin’s natural selection, and this is discussed leading to how we use plants both as food and in medicinal treatment. The final topic that ends this module teaches about how to group and classify.

Module Six - The Wild

The structure and functions within and of plants is reviewed in order to cover topics such as transport and the production of energy using chlorophyll within chloroplasts. Various cycles such as the Carbon, Nitrogen and Calvin cycle, food chains and food webs are addressed to show the wider application of nutrients, energy, food and water in the environment and diverse Ecosystems, and the role of plants. Problems of pollutants, harmful gases and the impact of humans to climate change and global warming, the future of these with regard to sustainability and their impact on Earth completes this topic.

Module Seven - Infection, Immunity and Forensics

Several pathogens affecting and causing illness, disease or having use in the production of useful products such as antibiotics, bread, yoghurt and beer, for example, are Microbes, Bacteria and Virus. Their structure, how they function, reproduce, attack or have effect, how they are bred, and how we use them or protect against their bad/ good effects helps us to understand precisely how and in what way they work. In order to study Microbes, Bacteria and Virus, they needed to be investigated and researched, so how to do this both in the laboratory or at home is shown.

Module Eight - Infectious Disease

Diseases are caused by infectious (e.g. the common cold, TB and HIV/AIDs), genetic (e.g. muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and haemophilia), dietary-deficiency (e.g. scurvy and rickets), environmental (e.g. those caused by non-living factors in the environment such as Asbestosis, CJD, Skin cancer) and ageing diseases (e.g. Dementia, eye cataracts and arthritis) diseases. The focus here will be on infectious diseases, and we look at what causes them, symptoms, their spread and how the diseases can be controlled. The array of diseases investigated includes e.g. Influenza, Malaria and HIV/ Aids. The module would be incomplete unless methods by which humans try and should try to prevent infection, and how - using the Immune system, immunity and antibodies, immunisation and genetic modification to carry out this function in the body is also covered. How DNA and genes research is conducted and the importance of the findings in understanding disease prevention, finding cures and even manipulating genetic material to produce medicines, disease-resistant crops and treatments is studied. The topic concludes by looking at the changes in mammalian death and decomposition, often involving various microbes, and how the signs of each stage involved in death is useful in studies such as forensic science and entomology.

Module Nine - Energy and Exercise

Anatomy of bones and the skeleton, and all the systems involved in movement such as muscles, ligaments and tendons starts this topic. Each system is complex having specialised elements such as the heart moves using cardiac muscle, yet the movement of the abdomen involves a totally different set and form of muscles. In order to exercise, the organisation of the transport, respiration, hormonal, skeletal and musculature systems, and how they are coordinated is covered in depth. Issues such as how to get maximum energy to enhance performance, the use of drugs and chemicals is addressed. The final section covers the various systems and how they are controlled by the brain and endocrine system. This occurs through and the investigation of homeostasis, the regulation of the internal conditions in the body through an equilibrium involving feedback controls using senses, hormones and body systems reacting to external stimuli/ conditions.

Module Ten - Grey Matter

The final module reinforces and summarises how humans can respond to their external environment and take control by using the nervous (brain and nerve cord) and endocrine (hormonal) systems. The nervous system is made up of a network of neurones controlled by the brain and the spinal cord. How single nerves work and how messages are passed from one point to the central coordinating centres like the brain is discussed. Different drugs work and affect the functioning of the nervous system, so each drug, how it works and its impact is studied. The organs involved in our senses and how they respond to the external environment, and how they connect to the nervous and endocrine system is studied. The history and theory of evolution, natural selection leads to the way the wider external environment containing virus, plant and animal kingdom are grouped and classified. Where do humans fit into this environment, is the way they are nurtured stronger than where they are positioned, and how can this be studied and assessed? The course ends with a brief discussion of the impact of nature versus nurture on human development.

Course assessment

final online multiple choice examination - 100% of the final mark.

When you have completed the programme, your tutor needs to verify that you have worked through all parts of any workbooks, activities and exercises successfully.

Upon verification of the activities, exercises and assignments, you will be awarded your diploma by ABC Awards as confirmation that your written work has met all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the programme.

Course fees

Our aim is to provide you with the best deal available, therefore any registration fee, certification fee and full tutor support is included in the course price for you. The enrolment fee for the Level 3 Diploma in Biology home study course is £518.75, though for a limited time we are offering you the opportunity to pay only £415 which is a 20% discount if you enrol online and pay in full.