A-Level Biology (AM 05) MATSEC | London | Oxford etc.  Applications for the A-Level Biology Private Tuition are now open. To apply please click here, returning the form to St. Thomas Institute with your details. or call 21227799 or email us for more information. A-Level Biology Syllabus 2010The syllabus content is divided into 11 sections, which constitute the syllabus core. (No options are required).
Aims
To develop an understanding of biological facts, principles and concepts.
To promote an appreciation of the importance of observation and experimental work in the study of biology.
To train students to understand. select, organize and analyze relevant information and to communicate ideas
coherently.
To help generate conceptual and practical skills as a result of involvement in scientific activity and
experimentation.
To inculcate in students a respect for all forms of life and a respect for the uniqueness of individual organisms.
To promote an interest in, and enjoyment of the study of life processes and living organisms.
To develop an understanding of the technological applications and of the social, economic and environmental
aspects of biology.
Scheme of Assessment
The examination will consist of four papers. In these papers the learning objectives will be as follows:
Knowledge of facts and theories;
Comprehension of this knowledge;
Application of knowledge to new and concrete situations;
Ability to analyze the subject matter and to deduce relationships between its component parts:
Synthesis of the above components into new and meaningful relationships:
Evaluation of material using coherent and explicit criteria.
Mathematical skills: to include the ability to display and interpret data in the form of bar graphs, histograms,
pie charts and graphs, and scatter diagrams; a knowledge and application of the following concepts:
correlation, normal distribution, mean and standard deviation, probability levels. Use of Chi Square and
Student’s t-test as specified in the respective sections 7.3.2 and 10.1.
Mathematical formulae will be included in the examination scripts. Candidates may make use of scientific
calculators during all their examinations.
Paper 1- 3 hours
This will consist of a number of compulsory structured questions covering any section of the syllabus.
Paper 2 - 3 hours
This will consist of three sections.
Candidates will be required to answer two compulsory questions from Section A, one of which will be a
comprehension.
They will be required to choose two out of four questions in Section B which will be of the essay type.
Section C will cover any section of the syllabus where candidates will be required to answer one out of two
questions. These will be structured essay questions.
Paper 3 - 1.5 hours
Paper 3 will be based on practical work related to the theory sections of the syllabus. It will consist of a number
of compulsory questions designed to test the candidates’ experience of practical skills, techniques and
investigations, data analysis as well as their ability to use particular items of laboratory equipment. Questions
will test the ability to observe accurately, make drawings of biological material from photographs or diagrams
and to demonstrate an understanding of practical techniques relevant to the syllabus. Candidates will be tested
on their ability to plan and to carry out laboratory experiments, to design an investigation and to record and
interpret the results obtained. They should show an ability to evaluate their work critically and to suggest
improvements to the techniques used. Candidates may also be required to use or construct dichotomous keys
and to classify organisms in accordance to Section 1 of the syllabus.
Paper 4 -1.5 hours
Candidates will be allowed to proceed with this paper only if they submit to the examiners their original
laboratory and practical reports which have been properly certified by their tutors (See section on Practical
Work below). These practical reports will be marked by MATSEC examiners so that a 10 mark allocation is
given according to the quality of the practical workbook(s) as described below.
This practical Hands-on part of this paper will involve experimental work and observations to be carried out in
a laboratory. It will consist of one question – involving an experiment to test the ability to follow laboratory
instructions, to design experiments, to make accurate observations, to record their observations in an
appropriate manner and to interpret and analyze, experimental data. Questions may require candidates to
perform a simple experiment, to make observations from whole specimens or from microscopic preparations, to
prepare temporary microscope mounts, to dissect parts of a flowering plant, fruit or a mammalian organ.
Candidates are expected to know how to make good and effective use of both low and high power microscope.
Candidates are expected to bring their dissection kit to the examination.
Practical Work and Practical Workbook(s)
Both laboratory and field work should form the basis of the course. Candidates are required to submit their
original practical reports (workbook(s)), properly certified by their tutors, to be examined by the MATSEC
examiners, to the MATSEC Office or as instructed by a given date. They will not be allowed to proceed with
Paper 4 if they fail to do so, or if they fail to satisfy the examiners that these practical reports are their own
original work. 10/50marks will be allotted to the quality of the practical workbooks (consisting of a minimum
of 25 practicals) in the following manner:
10 marks: Good Practical book(s), a record completely covering all sections of the syllabus but with a
considerable amount of additional material, i.e. critical appreciation of physiological exercises is expected and
fieldwork, if carried out, must be more than just an account of a field course.
8 marks: Above average practical book(s), a record completely covering all sections of the syllabus but
showing evidence of additional effort extra notes, drawings, experiments or fieldwork.
6 marks: Average Practical book(s), a virtually complete record covering all sections of the syllabus. Labels
complete and physiological exercises written up.
4 marks: Below average Practical book(s), a virtually complete record covering all sections of the syllabus but
lacking in quality, care, labels or corrections.
2 marks: Poor Practical book(s), incomplete (i.e. does not cover all sections of the syllabus)
Private candidates should make arrangements with a school to gain the practical experience required. Download the A-Level Biology full SyllabusPlease download the full Biology A Level Syllabus from here. Apply for A-Level BiologyTo Apply for Biology A Level Private Tuition please click here or call 21227799 or email us for more information.
|
