AS Biology

AS Biology

AQA (The Assessment & Qualifications Alliance)

Level: This is an AS level course.

What is the Biology AS course?
This course combines units on biology and disease, the variety of living organisms, investigative and practical skills in biology. In addition, elements of mathematics and chemistry are introduced progressively. It is important that you have an ability to express yourself clearly in writing and have good mathematical skills. It would be beneficial to have obtained a grade C/C GCSE in Science before enrolling.

NB An interview is required before you can enrol on this course.

Course topics

• Biology and disease - how disease may be caused by infectious pathogens or may reflect the effects of lifestyle.
• The variety of living organisms- looks at how living organisms vary and how this variation is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
• Investigative and practical skills-assesses the practical aspects of the course.

Teaching and Learning
The scientific concepts of Biology as well as aspects of the anatomy and physiology of humans and other living organisms will be studied on this course.

Lessons will involve studying this topic using textbooks, handouts, videos and multimedia. Throughout the course you must be prepared to work independently, allowing 5 hours approximately per week for study. This will involve note taking, reading from textbooks and past examination questions. Students who are organised and are determined to work hard are the most successful in examinations.

Assessment details
The AS examination is sat in May/June. The two examinations are sat on the same day, one of

1 hour 15 minutes and one of 1 hour 30 minutes. There will also be practical assessments taken at stages within the course.

NB This is funded as an examination based course and students should expect to enter the examinations.

Progression
A2 Level Biology (this is not available at College at present).

Notes

NB The re will be no class on Wednesday evening 3 March 2010

This is a Learning & Skills Council (LSC) funded course and you may be exempt from the tuition fee, however you would be required to pay the examination fee at the time of application. Tuition fees for overseas students may vary from those quoted.

Extra costs : Paper, writing materials, textbooks £40 and other resources will be discussed on the first night.

Related items
Adult Education General Information.