Biology (AS) 8BI01
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.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
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Subjects
- Access
- Works
- Approach
- Biology
- Biodiversity
- Materials
- International
- Private
- Project
- IT risk
Teachers and trainers (1)
Teaching Staff
Tutor
Course programme
A Level in Biology (AS) 8BI01
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.
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 ASby 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 ofHow 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.
Biology (AS) 8BI01