Year 13

INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW OF SUBJECT IN THIS YEAR

The A2 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 AS Biology.

CURRICULUM ORGANISATION

There are six lesson per week for A2 Biology.  Students are taught in mixed ability sets, and classes are formed based on the blocking against the rest of their A2 subjects.  Students are issued with copies of the Edexcel endorsed course textbook, Edexcel Biology for A2: Student's Book (with Dynamic Learning Student Resources).  Students also have access to SNAB online, a subscription website providing animations, tutorials and extension work. 

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent Study plays a key role in A2 Biology in order for students to attain the highest grades.  The library stocks a number of scientific journals, and students are issued with a reading list for all their topics.  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. 

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, as well as 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 BIOLOGY A2

Students are offered the opportunity to attend a residential fieldtrip in the first term.  This is to enhance the delivery of the ecological aspects of the course and give students a wider range of opportunities to complete their individual investigation.   Exam support sessions will be available for students to attend prior to external exams, and details of these will be advertised internally.

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

AUTUMN TERM Area of Study:
Unit 4:The Natural Environment and Species Survival*Unit code 6BI04
Externally assessed
Availability: January and June
First assessment: January 2010

Content summary:
• photosynthesis; energy transfer within ecosystems
• evidence for global warming
• evolution through natural selection and speciation
• nutrient recycling
• DNA profiling and PCR
• structure of bacteria and viruses
• infectious diseases (eg AIDS and TB) and immunology.

Assessment:
This unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper, which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes.
SPRING AND SUMMER TERM Area of Study:
Unit 5: Energy, Exercise and Coordination *Unit code 6BI05
Externally assessed
Availability: January and June
First assessment: June 2010

Content summary:
• ATP, glycolysis, anaerobic/aerobic respiration
• control and functioning of heart; ventilation and cardiac output
• homeostasis
• the nervous system
• impact of exercise on body, and improving performance
• hormonal coordination
• brain structure and development
• imbalances in brain chemicals
• Human Genome Project.

Assessment:
This unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper, which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes.
A2
Unit 6: Practical Biology and Investigative Skills *Unit code 6BI06
Internally assessed
Availability: June
First assessment: June 2010

Summary:
Students will complete a written report of an experimental investigation, which they have devised and carried out.

Assessment:
Teachers have the option of marking the report or having it externally marked by
Edexcel. The work must reflect the standard expected at Advanced GCE level.

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.

PROVISIONAL EXAM DATES:
• January- 6BIO4 Unit 4
• 16th June- 6BIO4 Unit 4
• 25th June- 6BIO5 Unit 5

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