4 - Biology HL
Course summary
Why study Biology? Biology is the study of life and living organisms. You will consider how to explain the mechanisms for the functions of life, giving insight into ourselves and our place within the world. You will discuss the ethics of Biological technologies to consider the impact of harnessing our Biological understanding. You will analyse and evaluate the evidence surrounding Biological theories and dogmas, learning that human knowledge is constantly evolving. You will develop understanding and evaluation skills for practical methodologies, equipping you to add to this pool of knowledge through research. Apart from being a subject worthy of study in its own right, Biology is essential for many other courses in higher education, such as Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacology, Psychology and Environmental Science and serves as useful preparation for employment both within these areas and where emphasis is placed on organising and evaluating information. Please see Course Directory for topics to be studied.
Entry Requirements
Checked against your grades — every rule traces to the school's published source.
| Requirement | Rule | You |
|---|---|---|
GCSE qualifications | 5 gcse qualifications at grade 6.0 or above | — |
Biology | Grade 7 in Biology | — |
Combined Science Alternative route | Grade 8-7 in Combined Science | — |
As published by the school
GCSE Grade 7 or 8-7 in Biology or Combined Science.
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Assessment
Higher level external assessment Paper 1: 2 hours – 36% A. Multiple-choice questions B. Synoptic data-based questions Paper 2: 2.5 hours – 44% A. Data-based questions from unfamiliar contexts B. Short-answer questions C. Extended response questions Internal Assessment – 20% The scientific investigation is an open-ended task in which the student gathers and analyses data in order to answer their own formulated research question. There is opportunity for students to collaborate and support each other within small groups. Where appropriate, students will be able to share similar methodologies, provided that the independent or dependent variable differ, and the data collected is unique to each student. The outcome of the scientific investigation will be assessed through the form of a written report, with emphasis on higher-order thinking skills of conclusion and evaluation. The maximum overall word count for the report is 3,000 words.
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