GCSE Biology
Biology
GCSE Biology provides a broad, coherent and practical course that develops confidence in and a positive view of science. It encourages learners to appreciate the value of Science in their lives and in the wider world around them.
It encourages students to: • develop their knowledge and understanding of biology;
• develop their understanding of the effects of biology on society;
• develop an understanding of the importance of scale in biology;
• develop and apply their knowledge and understanding of the nature of science and of the scientific process;
• develop their understanding of the relationships between hypotheses, evidence, theories and explanations
The following are important features of this specification.
The GCSE Biology specification is divided into three units.
Units 1 and 2 each contain a number of prescribed Practicals in the specification; students carry out these Practicals over the two years of this course.
Students carry out these investigations to develop their skills and knowledge of practical science.
Units 1 and 2 are each assessed by a written examination either at Foundation Tier (grades C–G) or Higher Tier (grades A*–D/E).
Unit 3 is an externally assessed Practical Skills unit in two parts: Booklet A and Booklet B.
Booklet A involves doing Practicals in exam conditions from the prescribed practical list. All students must carry these out by May. These are marked externally. Booklet B is a written practical exam.