Biology A Level

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The Biology A-Level has been developed to AQA specification and contains all the information you will need to pass the A-Level Biology exams.

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Level 3 / AQA A Level / OSC54

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Online study

Paper study

Online study

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over 12 months and £ deposit

Course summary

Course support

24 months expert tutor support

24 hour access

Unlimited Submissions

Accreditation

Fully accredited course

Awarding body

AQA

Course introduction

Do you need an A Level to get into University?

We offer a range of A Levels where we guarantee to prioritise the marking of your coursework so you are fully ready to take your exams in June of each year.

An Advanced Level in Biology is a perfect qualification for those wishing to acquire knowledge and understanding of the subject to enable them to study at a higher level at university. It also provides a progression route for further training whilst in employment.

This specification is designed to encourage candidates to develop: an enthusiasm for biology practical skills alongside understanding of concepts and principles: an appropriate and relevant foundation of knowledge and skills for the study of biology in Higher Education AS Level.

How Science Works

An understanding of How Science Works is a requirement. How Science Works is an underpinning set of concepts and is the means whereby students come to understand how scientists investigate scientific phenomena in their attempts to explain the world about us. Moreover, How Science Works recognises the contribution scientists have made to their own disciplines and to the wider world.

This course allows learners to earn UCAS points depending on the grade gained:

A* – 56
A – 48
B – 40
C – 32
D – 24
E – 16

Specification code: 7402

Required knowledge

Minimum of GCSE grade C or above. Candidates will be required to have an understanding of the following terms: molecule, ion, compound element, isomer, isotope, oxidation, bond, reduction, hydrolysis, condensation, and wavelength.

Assessment

Paper 1
35% of A-Level
91 marks
Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:
Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills

Questions:
76 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
15 marks = Extended response questions

Paper 2
35% of A-Level
91 marks
Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:
Any content from topics 5-8, including relevant practical skills

Questions:
76 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
15 marks = Extended response questions

Paper 3

30% of A-Level
78 marks
Written exam: 2 hours

What is assessed?:
Any content from topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills

Questions:
38 marks = Structured questions, including practical techniques
15 marks = Critical analysis of given experimental data
25 marks = One essay from a choice of two titles

Practical Assessment

Your A Level grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to receive your A Level you must also undergo a separate endorsement of 12 practical skills. These are listed below:

- Use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements (to include mass, time, volume, temperature, length and pH)
- Use appropriate instrumentation to record quantitative measurements, such as colorimeter or polotemeter
- Use laboratory glassware apparatus for a variety of experimental techniques to include serial dilutions
- Use of a light microscope at high power and low power, including use of graticule
- Produce scientific drawing from observation with annotations
- Use qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules
- Separate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography or electrophoresis
- Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses/ physiological functions
- Use microbial aseptic techniques, including the use of agar plates and broth
- Safely use instruments for dissection of an animal organ, or plant organ
- Use sampling techniques in fieldwork
- Use ICT such as computer modelling, or data logger to collect data, or use software to process data

Please note: Students are fully responsible for the arrangement and funding of any examinations required.

Next Examination Period: May/June 2021

Awarding organisation

AQA (The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) has a leading reputation for promoting education for the public benefit and draws on long experience of setting and marking public exams such as GCSEs, A-levels and other qualifications. AQA is the largest of the three English exam boards, awarding 49% of full course GCSEs and 42% of A-levels nationally. In total, students take over 3.5 million exams with them each year.

Course units

The AQA A Level Biology specification is structured into eight topics, assessed across three examinations. This course has been designed to reflect this, and will take students through each topic, as listed below:

Topic 1: Biological molecules
Topic 2: Cells
Topic 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment
Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
Topic 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms
Topic 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
Topic 7: Genetic populations, evolution and ecosystems
Topic 8: The control of gene expressions

Learner support

The course comes to you as a proper paper-based pack, not as an electronic password
The course materials and support will be provided by OSC
You will get full tutor support via email
You will receive feedback on your assignments from our experienced tutors
You will be given guidance through the Study Guide on the nuts and bolts of studying and submitting assignments
Postal assignments cannot be accepted without prior permission from the tutor
You must have access to email in order to contact your tutor
Our A Levels come with tutor support for 24 months

You will have access to a tutor via our student portal who will mark your work and guide you through the course to help you be ready for your examinations. In addition you will be supplied with a comprehensive Study Guide which will help you through the study and assessment process.

FAQs

What is distance learning?

Distance learning is the most flexible and convenient approach to studying. There is no need for you to attend college and, therefore, you can study anytime, any place, anywhere that fits in with your lifestyle. Distance learning programmes are ideal for people who may have a full-time job, or other commitments, that won’t allow them time off to study.

What do I need to do to get started on a course?

You'll need to be able to commit the required time to your studies. We recommend that you choose a course you think will interest you, and help you to achieve your ambitions. If you would like some advice, or further information, please call our helpline free on 0333 3445 690.

To purchase a course, simply click on the ‘Buy now’ button against your chosen course and follow the on screen instructions. Alternatively if you would prefer to purchase the course over the phone, call 0333 3445 690 and speak to one of our expert course advisors.

How does the distance learning/home study method work?

The course operates through a study pack and access to your own personal tutor. Once you have chosen your course we will send you your study pack, which you will be required to work through before completing the course.

Depending on the course you have chosen, you will either be required to complete assignments and submit these for marking as the course progresses and/or be required to sit an end exam. The end exam could be in the form of multiple choice questions, or be an invigilated exam at a registered test centre.

Your completed assignments will need to be sent to your tutor for marking/assessment, you will then receive written feedback and guidance. It may be possible to submit your assignments by email, however you will need to check this with your tutor. Please be aware that your assignments will be maintained by NCCHL for moderation and audit purposes.

These requirements will always be listed on the course description page, so please refer to this for details of what is required for each individual course.

How long should it take to complete a course?

Depending on the course you have chosen, and the amount of time you can commit, it could take from 6 weeks to 12 months to complete your course.

The duration of the course is largely down to you though. The beauty of home learning is that it allows you complete flexibility to fit your studies around your lifestyle and other commitments. You can dedicate as much, or as little, time as you want to your studies - no one will be chasing you for your work or asking why you haven’t submitted an assignment.

We do strongly recommend, though, that before you purchase a course you assess your ability to commit the necessary time to completing the course in a timeframe that will not leave you losing your motivation.

How quickly will I receive my course material?

We guarantee that you will receive your course materials within 5 days of purchase, but for many courses we would anticipate that you will have to wait no more than 48 hours.

The course materials are always sent to you via a tracked courier service, to ensure that you receive your study pack within our stated period.

How much will it cost?

The cost is largely dependent on the type of the course. The longer the course is the higher the cost will be, due to the size of the study pack and the nature of the qualification.

All prices are clearly stated on the course description page and will always be displayed prior to you committing to purchase a course.

Please note that there may be additional fees required should your course have an external assessment, such as A Levels, ICB qualifications etc. To clarify, please speak to a course advisor.

What support will I receive?

You will be allocated your own personal tutor who can be contacted via e-mail, telephone, fax or post for help and advice on any aspect of the course.

Many courses require that you submit work to your tutor during the period of study and your tutor will assess your work and pass comments back to you. Your tutor is available to you as much as you need them.

Please be aware that officially the tutor support provided with the course is for a period of 12 months, although if you need longer let us know and we’ll endeavour to extend that.

Will I have to sit an examination?

All of our courses are accredited, so you need to show that you have acquired the knowledge to pass the course – this may involve sitting an examination, but it depends on the course you have chosen.

Some courses require you to be continually assessed throughout the course, while others may require an end of course exam or assignment (which may be completed at home) to be submitted to your tutor.

Certain types of qualifications, A-levels and GCSEs for example, do require you to sit an invigilated exams at a registered test centre. You will need to organise and pay for the examinations yourself, however full details of what you need to do will be available from the centre who are delivering the qualification.

If in doubt, please email ‘support@nccresources.co.uk’, NCC can then discuss or put you in touch directly with the course provider.

Can I study from outside the UK?

Yes, there are no geographical limits to where you can study.

You just need to be aware that all tutors are based in the UK and work may need to be submitted to them via post, although in most cases e-mail can be used.

Where the course requires that you sit an invigilated exam at a test centre, there are many exam centres outside of the UK. However, we would advise that you check with us before purchasing one of these courses if you want to study from abroad.

Will I receive a qualification when I complete the course?

All of our courses are accredited and you will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the course.

For more information about this please see the section of the website that details how awarding bodies work and what the different types of qualifications are.

Can I take more than one course at a time?

Yes, you can take as many courses as your time allows. But we would recommend that you clearly evaluate how much time you can commit to your courses of study.

The good news is though that if your circumstances change you can always take a break and come back to your studies.

Additionally, discounts are available if you buy more than one course at the same time.

How long will it take for my work to be marked by my tutor?

Your work will be marked and feedback returned to you within 12 working days after submission. This is because our tutors are required to provide detailed, considered feedback to our learners that may take a while to formulate. We find that by working this way, our learners actually complete their course in less time, as they rarely need to submit an assignment more than twice.

Whilst it is possible to submit multiple assignments at the same time, we advise that our learners submit only one at a time. We want our learners to develop as they progress through their course, and find this is best achieved when a student embarks on a new module having taken into account tutor feedback from the previous submission.

Do I need any additional books or equipment to do my course?

No, we provide everything you need to pass your course.

How do I enrol?

Once you have chosen your course, you can either purchase the course online which will enrol you, or you can call our helpline on 0333 3445 690 who will sign you up for the course and arrange to have all your learning materials sent to you.

What if I’ve chosen the wrong course?

If, after receiving the course, you decide it isn’t the right course for you, you can simply return the goods within 14 days and we will send your money back in full for the majority of courses (excluding postage and packaging) or you can choose another course that you feel would suit your needs and ambitions better.

What is the difference between the online and paper versions of courses?

Our online courses are completed through our online learning system after receiving login and access instructions. You will not receive any course materials through the post. The paper based version is posted out in a binder to your home or place of work and requires completion of a portfolio of work that is submitted to your tutor for marking.

Where can I find your Equality and Diversity Policy?

All NCC policies and procedures can be provided on request from NCC directly by emailing enquiries@ncchomelearning.co.uk or calling 0333 3445 690.

Can reasonable adjustments be made to help reduce the effects of a disability or difficulty that may place me at a disadvantage?

A reasonable adjustment is any action that helps to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that places the candidate at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation. Reasonable adjustments must not affect the integrity of what needs to be assessed, but may involve:

Changing standard assessment arrangements, for example allowing candidates extra time to complete the assessment activity Adapting assessment materials, such as providing materials in Braille Providing access facilitators during assessment, such as a sign language interpreter or a reader Re-organising the assessment room, such as removing visual stimuli for an autistic candidate.

Reasonable adjustments are approved or set in place before the assessment activity takes place; they constitute an arrangement to give the candidate access to the assessment activity. The use of a reasonable adjustment will not be taken into consideration during the assessment of a candidate’s work.

Awarding organisations and centres are only required by law to do what is ‘reasonable’ in terms of giving access. What is reasonable will depend on the individual circumstances, cost implications and the practicality and effectiveness of the adjustment. Other factors, such as the need to maintain competence standards and health and safety, will also be taken into consideration.

Do NCCHL Courses Offer UCAS Points?

NCCHL only offer UCAS Points for specific courses. Where applicable this will be stated in the 'Course Introduction' section under the 'Learn More' link.