Year 12

INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW OF SUBJECT IN THIS YEAR

The AS Biology course offered at Jumeirah College will follow the GCE 2008 Edexcel specification which has been developed in collaboration with the Salters-Nuffiled Advanced Biology project to meet the needs of today’s students.  It includes the studying of contemporary social and ethical context of the biological sciences, building on the How Science Works strand developed in GCSE Science.

CURRICULUM ORGANISATION

There are six lesson per week for AS Biology.  Students are taught in mixed ability sets, and classes are formed based on the blocking against the rest of the AS subjects.  Students are issued with a copy of the course textbook, Edexcel A Level Science: AS Biology Students’ Book, which includes an electric copy of the textbook and supporting resources.  Students have also got access to SNAB online; this is a supporting course website with animations, tutorials and extension work.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent Study plays a key role in AS Biology in order for students to attain the highest grades.  Students are expected to carry out an hour of independent study for each lesson delivered at school; this is in addition to their homework.  Students are not issued with a homework timetable but should expect a minimum of three structured homeworks per week.  In addition to the above, students will need to complete their coursework independently, parallel to the delivery of the curriculum.

ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING

Parents will be informed of student progress in line with Jumeirah Colleges’ Reporting Policy, and in parent consultation evenings.  Students will be informed of their progress through the regular marking of homework by the teacher, peer and self assessment.  Students will sit graded assessments at the end of each distinct unit of work, as well as through mocks for each completed unit of work. 

EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES IN AS BIOLOGY

To support the delivery of the curriculum and coursework, a day visit has been arranged to the Blood Cord Bank Research Centre.  There will be a residential field trip in Year 13 to deliver the Ecological aspects of the A2 course.  Exam support sessions will be run prior to external exams.  These will be advertised internally to students.

AUTUMN TERM Areas of Study:

Unit 1: Lifestyle, Transport, Genes and Health *Unit code 6BI01
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.

Unit 3: Practical Biology and Research Skills *Unit code 6BI03

Students will be introduced to the coursework aspect of the course in the Autumn term and will need to work on it independently.  The final piece will be a report of between 1500 and 2000 words on research into a biological topic.  This will account for 20% of the total AS mark.

SPRING AND SUMMER TERM Areas of Study:

1. Completion of Unit 1: Lifestyle, Transport, Genes and Health

2. Unit 2: Development, Plants and the Environment *Unit code 6BI02
Content summary:
• cell structure and ultrastructure 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.

KEY ASSESSMENTS

Student progress will be assessed by end of topic tests for each of the key content areas mentioned above.  These will be created from past paper questions.  Students will also sit a mock paper for each of the completed units.  Teachers will advice students in lessons of when these will be taking place.

EXTENSION OPPORTUNITIES/ SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

The following textbooks are recommended for additional reading/reference:

• AS and A Level Biology through Diagrams Second Edition, W.R. Pickering

• Oxford Dictionary of biology

• Biology: Principles and Processes, Michael Roberts, Michael Reiss, Grace Monger

• Advanced Biology, Michael Roberts, Michael Reiss, Grace Monger

PROVISIONAL EXAM DATES:
12th January  6BIO1 AS Biology Unit 1
25th May  6BIO1 AS Biology Unit 1
8th June  6BIO2 AS Biology Unit 2   

USEFUL WEBSITES
• www.s-cool.co.uk
• http://www.biologyguide.net/
• http://www.sciencezone.org.uk/work.htm
• http://www.mrothery.co.uk/
• http://www.edexcelbiology.co.uk/home/
• http://www.newsnab.com