Assessment overview

Content is in five modules:

• Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology
• Module 2: Cells, chemicals for life, transport and gas exchange
• Module 3: Cell division, development, and disease control
• Module 4: Energy, reproduction, and populations
• Module 5: Genetics, control, and homeostasis

All components include synoptic assessment.

Students must complete all components (01, 02, 03, and 04) to be awarded the OCR A Level in Biology B (Advancing Biology).

Content overview

The five modules are each divided into key topics:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination
• Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2: Cells, chemicals for life, transport and gas exchange

• Cells and microscopy
• Water and its importance in plants and animals
• Proteins and enzymes
• Nucleic acids
• The heart and monitoring heart function
• Transport systems in mammals
• Gas exchange in mammals and plants
• Transport systems in plants

Module 3: Cell division, development and disease control

• The developing cell: cell division and cell differentiation
• The developing individual: meiosis, growth, and development
• The development of species: evolution and classification
• Pathogenic microorganisms
• The immune system
• Controlling communicable diseases
• The cellular basis of cancer and its treatment
• Respiratory diseases and treatment

Module 4: Energy, reproduction, and populations

• Cellular respiration
• Metabolism and exercise
• Fertility and assisted reproduction
• The effects of ageing on the reproductive system
• Photosynthesis, food production, and management of the environment
• The impact of population increase
• Plant reproduction

Module 5: Genetics, control, and homeostasis

• Patterns of inheritance
• Population genetics and epigenetics
• Gene technologies
• The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
• Monitoring visual function
• The effect of ageing on the nervous system
• The principles and importance of homeostasis
• The hormonal control of blood glucose and the management of diabetes
• Kidney functions and malfunctions

Students gain practical skills throughout the course. These are assessed in the written examinations and in the practical endorsement (component 04). Activities that could count towards the practical endorsement are indicated in the specification.

Assessment overview

Content is in three modules:

• Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology
• Module 2: Cells, chemicals for life, transport and gas exchange
• Module 3: Cell division, development,and disease control
  

Both components include synoptic assessment.

Students must complete both components (01 and 02) to be awarded the OCR AS Level in Biology B (Advancing Biology).

Content overview

The three modules are each divided into key topics:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination
• Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2: Cells, chemicals for life, transport and gas exchange

• Cells and microscopy
• Water and its importance in plants and animals
• Proteins and enzymes
• Nucleic acids
• The heart and monitoring heart function
• Transport systems in mammals
• Gas exchange in mammals and plants
• Transport systems in plants

Module 3: Cell division, development and disease control

• The developing cell: cell division and cell differentiation
• The developing individual: meiosis, growth, and development
• The development of species: evolution and classification
• Pathogenic microorganisms
• The immune system
• Controlling communicable diseases
• The cellular basis of cancer and its treatment
• Respiratory diseases and treatment

Practical activities are embedded throughout the specification to enhance students’ understanding of biological theory and practical skills.