New GCEs for 2008

GCE Human Biology (2405)

AS outline

At AS, the specification has adopted a thematic approach, in which principles are related to contemporary issues to provide greater stimulus and interest for students.

The AS specification has 3 units:

Unit 1: The Body and its Diseases

Topic list

We are what we eat
Enzymes and enzyme action
Cystic fibrosis - just one small change in a protein
Micro-organisms use us for food, shelter and their reproduction
How the body fights infectious disease
Some diseases are closely linked to life-style

Assessment

Written Paper:	1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting:	40% of total AS Level marks
	20% of total A Level marks
	80- raw marks (120 UMS)

7 - 10 short answer questions plus one longer question, involving a short comprehension/case study.

Unit 2: Humans - their origins and adaptations

Topic list

Nucleic acids - keys of life
The information of life
Cell division - growth, repair, reproduction and cancer
Adaptations to a way of life
Where we fit in the world and how we came to be here
We have changed and are changing our environment.

Assessment

Written Paper:	1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting:	40% of total AS Level marks
	20% of total A Level marks
	80- raw marks (120 UMS)

7 - 10 short answer questions plus one longer question, involving a short comprehension/case study.

Unit 3: Centre assessed unit

Practical skills

Selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods
Working methodically and safely, demonstrating competence in the required manipulative skills and efficiency in managing time
Processing and analysing collected data and applying scientific knowledge to explain these conclusions
Identifying limitations of materials, apparatus and procedures and suggesting modifications to overcome them.