Practical Coursework for AS and A2
Is compulsory in both years of your Biology course. Early planning by you is crucial for success!
For Environmental Science is only required in A2-Details to be posted shortly
What is involved?
For AS Biology/Human Biology Coursework (Edexcel) click here
For A2 Biology/Human Biology Coursework (Edexcel) click here
AS Coursework is all internally marked - but externally moderated(i.e. marked again)
Involves you
- designing a hypothesis to test, background material is necessary
- planning how you will test it,
- carrying out the experimental work/fieldwork
- analysing your findings and discussing them
- evaluating
Timetable for AS.
- Submit proposal for an investigation by week of 27 January
- Submit final plan for proposed investigation to tutor before 10 February(latest)
- If OK carry out work during next ten days and write up draft. Two lab days will be available during Study Week.
- Submit coursework draft to tutor no later than 15 March
- Submit final version by 22 March
- Click this link for a checklist for submitting your Stage One-Planning.
For maximum marks ....
Build project up round marking criteria and course content.
Read the criteria!!!!!
A2 Coursework is mainly externally marked.
Marked out of 32 marks. 8 Marks internally assessed, 24 marks externally
Involves you
- designing a hypothesis to test, background material is necessary
- planning how you will test it
- Submitting a planning sheet for marking /4 before proceeding
- implementing the experimental work/fieldwork.Externally marked.
- using statistical tests to support your analysis- you will receive input on statistics
- evaluating in the style of a scientific paperExternally marked.
- including an abstract of your study in scientific style.Externally marked.
You will see that for A2 you are expected to produce a much more polished piece of scientific research, written up in scientific style. You should therefore look at the exemplars and abstracts which will be available to you, as well as studying the style of scientific papers in journals (eg Nature, Scientific American etc)
Timetable for A2.
- Submit proposal for an investigation by 15 February
- Submit final plan to tutor for marking before 1 March (deadline)
- If OK carry out work during next ten days and write up draft.
- Discuss coursework draft with tutor no later than 15 March
- Complete final version by 22 March
For maximum marks ....
Plan your use of statistics when first deciding on your investigation.
Build project up round marking criteria and course content.
Read the criteria!!!!!
What shall I do for my investigation??????
- Look at the packs which will be issued to you.
- Click this link for ideas for your practical coursework
- Visit the Edexcel websitewhich also carries ideas.
To discuss developing these ideas, email me!
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