Fast Track A Level in Biology (Full AS+A2)

AS Biology
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.

The web site is: www.edexcel.org.uk

Your tutor will give you various resource sites to visit and there is extra material on the student common room (ODL). 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 AS by 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 of How 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.

Hopefully you will enjoy the course and achieve a successful outcome!

Entry Requirements
Basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given.

Study Hours
Approximately 300 hours.

Qualification
AS/A2 - A level in Biology. Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.

Specification: Edexcel (AS) 8BI01 and Edexcel (A2) 9BI01

What's Included
Learning documentation, plus priority Tutor support for 1 year. Students are required to arrange and pay for their examinations themselves. Students must check the relevant examination board website for final examination sitting dates for this syllabus. You will receive priority tutor assistance for fast track students on this course. Students will be able to sit a full A Level examination in one year or less. Examinations take place in January and Summer (May/June) yearly.

Further Information

Your course is delivered online via the Oxford Learning On Campus website.

Please note that included in your course fee is your registration to the On Campus student community, and a licence to print your study materials. Please note that the licence is for one print only, so please ensure that you have enough paper and ink to print the full course materials if required.

You will require having one of the following packages to access your On Campus area:

Windows: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above
Macintosh: Mac OS X, Mac OS 9.2 - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above
In the student 'On Campus' you are also able to take part in the student chat room and forums as part of our online student community.

After enrolling online you will receive your username and password to access the On Campus area within 5 working days. You will also receive your personal Oxford Learning student number via email.

Students are required to arrange and pay for their examinations and manage the course work element if the subject requires this. Students must check the relevant examination board website for further information and final examination sitting dates for the specification.

www.edexcel.org.uk