Lecture on A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Specification

Overview

• Awarding Body: Pearson Edexcel, offering globally recognized academic and vocational qualifications.
• First Teaching: September 2015
• First Certification: 2017
• Issue: 4

Purpose and Context

• The specification sets objectives for qualifications, prior knowledge requirements, assessment methods, and criteria for measuring attainment.
• Emphasizes assisting teachers in helping learners progress through rigorous qualification development processes, international benchmarking, and future-oriented content.
• Efficacy framework guides the content and learning design.

Qualification Details

• Components: Three externally examined papers and a Science Practical Endorsement.
• Assessment Period: May/June in a single year.

Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species Survival

• Topics Covered:
  • Lifestyle, Health, and Risk
  • Genes and Health
  • Voice of the Genome
  • Biodiversity and Natural Resources
  • On the Wild Side
  • Immunity, Infection, and Forensics
• Assessment: 2 hours, 100 marks, includes questions targeting Level 2 mathematics.

Paper 2: Energy, Exercise, and Co-ordination

• Topics Covered:
  • Lifestyle, Health, and Risk
  • Genes and Health
  • Voice of the Genome
  • Biodiversity and Natural Resources
  • Run for Your Life
  • Grey Matter
• Assessment: 2 hours, 100 marks, includes mathematics and experimental methods questions.

Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in Biology

• Topics: Integrates content from all topics 1-8.
• Assessment: 2 hours, 100 marks, includes pre-released scientific articles and synoptic questions.

Science Practical Endorsement

• Assessed: Internally and monitored externally.
• Requirement: Minimum of 12 practical activities covering a range of techniques and competencies.
• Outcome: Pass grade recorded separately on the certificate.

Key Topics and Core Practicals

Topic 1: Lifestyle, Health, and Risk

• Focus on circulatory system, lifestyle choices’ impact on health, cardiovascular diseases.
• Core Practicals:
  • Effect of caffeine on heart rate in Daphnia
  • Investigate vitamin C content in food and drink

Topic 2: Genes and Health

• Examines genetic disease cystic fibrosis, DNA structure, protein synthesis.
• Core Practicals:
  • Membrane structure impact on permeability
  • Enzyme and substrate concentration effects

Topic 3: Voice of the Genome

• Multicellular organism development, cell structures, and gene expression.
• Core Practicals:
  • Staining root tips to observe mitosis stages

Topic 4: Biodiversity and Natural Resources

• Explores species adaptation, evolution, and conservation strategies.
• Core Practicals:
  • Plant fibre tensile strength
  • Investigate plant mineral deficiencies

Topic 5: On the Wild Side

• Photosynthesis, ecosystems, climate change effects.
• Core Practicals:
  • Photosynthesis using isolated chloroplasts
  • Temperature effect on enzyme-catalyzed reactions

Other Important Topics

• Immunity, Infection, and Forensics: Pathogen host interactions, immune responses, hospital-acquired infection controls.
• Run for Your Life: Physiological adaptations for exercise, respiration, homeostasis.
• Grey Matter: Nervous system functioning, brain structure, ethical issues in genetic technology.

Assessment Objectives

• AO1: Knowledge and Understanding (31-33%)
• AO2: Application of Knowledge (41-43%)
• AO3: Analysis, Interpretation, and Evaluation (25-27%)

Practical Skills and Competency

• Students must demonstrate practical skills through core practical activities.
• Keeping a record of practical work is essential for competency validation.

Additional Resources

• Support: University of York offers courses and an advice service for teachers.
• Extended Project: Additional qualification to develop independent learning and research skills.

This specification document provides a comprehensive guide for both teachers and students in understanding and implementing the A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) curriculum, focusing on theoretical and practical aspects essential for higher education and vocational preparedness.