Specification

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Specification
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For teaching from Autumn 2004 for examination in 2006. Please note: Minor amendments only.

GCSE Biology is available at two tiers of entry: Foundation Tier and Higher Tier. This allows students with a wide range of abilities to demonstrate achievement.

Students entering for the Foundation Tier are eligible for the award of grades C-G. Students entering for the Higher Tier are eligible for the award of grades A*-D. Students of the Higher Tier who just fail to achieve a Grade D are awarded a Grade E.

GCSE Biology is divided into four areas of study, which are outlined in the table below:


Area of Study Contents
Living Organisms and Life Processes
  • Life processes
  • Organ systems
  • Nutrition
  • Respiration
  • Reproduction
  • Sensitivity and response
Environment
  • Habitat study
  • Classification
  • Adaptation
  • Cycles
  • Pollution
  • Conservation
Variation
  • The cell
  • Specialisation
  • Levels of organisation
  • Genetics
  • Selection
  • Growth
  • Cancer
Microbiology
  • Aseptic techniques
  • Beneficial role of bacteria and fungi
  • Louis Pasteur
  • Decay
  • Body's natural defences against disease
  • Jenner
  • Biodigesters
  • Pencillin (Fleming)