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Fun Run Fundraising
A huge well done to all the students and staff who ran the Blackpool Beaverbrooks 10K last Sunday.
Olympic Spirit at Blackpool Sixth Form
The college will host its first community sports day with over 150 young people taking part, including pupils from at least...
Art students break “Out of the Frame” for exhibition in Thornton
Blackpool Sixth Form art and design students will be breaking out of the Frame for their exhibition at the Kiln House Gallery...
England Rugby coach speaks to Blackpool Sixth Form sport students
Brian Ashton, the head coach of the England rugby team that reached the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, delivered a...
Rugby Academy Boss prepares for Paralympic role
Paul Moran who heads up the Blackpool Sixth Form Rugby Academy has had a early insight into the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic...Announcements
Battle of the Bands
29th May 7.00pm
Performing Arts Musical Theatre Showcase
31st May 7.30pm
Pre-Sixth Form Conference
2nd July 8.45am - 4.00pm
International Baccalaureate Diploma Course Information
BIOLOGY STANDARD LEVEL
This course is designed for students to explore the study of biology including both simple and more complex life forms. During
the course you will obtain a comprehensive foundation of the core topics of cells, life chemistry, genetics, ecology and human
physiology. You will also study two optional modules.
You will learn to comprehend, analyse, apply, evaluate and synthesise biological theories and models and learn to perform scientific investigations and complete accurate statistical analysis of biological data. Understanding is enhanced through problem solving and extensive laboratory work including a collaborative group project with students in other scientific disciplines. The use of information technology is encouraged and often built into practical lessons in the form of data logging. Where possible
international aspects of biology are stressed, for example, the Human Genome project, cancer research and the control of infectious diseases. This will take the form of individual student projects, group work and discussions in class. You will also appreciate the moral and ethical implications of various biological practices and research.
What will I study?
Core topics
Topic 1: Statistical Analysis
Topic 2: Cells
Topic 3: The Chemistry of Life
Topic 4: Genetics
Topic 5: Ecology and Evolution
Topic 6: Human Health and Physiology
Optional topics
Option F: Microbes and Biotechnology
This topic stresses the importance of microbes in modern life. A thorough grounding of classification and microbial metabolism is included, as well as their uses in industry, for example, gene transfer and expression of useful products and also in food production such as wine, beer, bread and cheese. Their role in the nitrogen cycle is also covered in detail. A further application of this unit is the relationship between disease-causing microbes and the defences of the human body against microbial infection covered at both standard and higher level. This has important international implications, especially for the control of pandemics like polio and Bird flu and the eradication of small pox. The cause, transmission, effects and social impacts of malaria will also be discussed.
F1 Diversity of microbes
F2 Microbes and the environment
F3 Microbes and biotechnology
BIOLOGY HIGHER LEVEL
This course is designed for students to explore the study of biology including both simple and more complex life forms. It both extends and consolidates the material covered in the Standard Level Biology course. A fundamental aspect of the Higher Level is one of breadth and depth of learning and practical experience. During the Higher Level course you will obtain a comprehensive knowledge of the additional topics of nucleic acids and proteins, cell respiration and photosynthesis, plant science, genetics and human health and physiology. Additionally they study two optional topics – microbes and biotechnology and further human physiology.
You will practice the analysis, application, evaluation and synthesis of biological theories and models and learn to plan more complex scientific investigations and complete accurate statistical analysis of biological data. Understanding is further enhanced through problem solving activities, the application of logic and extensive laboratory work. The use of information technology is encouraged and often built into practical lessons in the form of data logging. Where possible international aspects of biology are stressed. This will take the form of individual student projects, group work and discussions in class. You will also appreciate the moral and ethical implications of various biological practices and research.
What will I study?
Core topics
Topic 1: Statistical Analysis
Topic 2: Cells
Topic 3: The Chemistry of Life
Topic 4: Genetics
Topic 5: Ecology and Evolution
Topic 6: Human Health and Physiology
Additional Higher topics
Topic 7: Nucleic Acids and Proteins
Topic 8: Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis
Topic 9: Plant Science
Topic 10: Genetics
Topic 11: Human Health and Physiology
Optional topics
Option F: Microbes and Biotechnology
Assessment
External assessment:
You will sit 3 external exam papers.
Paper 1 comprises 40 multiple-choice questions with an overall weighting of 20%.
Paper 2 comprises one data-based question, several short answer questions on the core material and additional higher material and one extended question from a choice of four. This has an overall weighting of 36%.
Paper 3 examines the material covered in the options. Students will answer several short questions in each of the two options studied. This has an overall weighting of 20% (2x10%).
Internal assessment:
You will take part in two internal assessment programs and will be assessed in five key areas: design, data collection and processing; conclusion and evaluation; manipulative skills; personal skills. This will largely be based around the planning, carrying out and evaluation of practical work but will also include an opinionbased essay. Only one of the two internal assessments will be submitted. It will be marked out of 48 and have an overall weighting of 24%.
Group 4 project
This is a compulsory element and for science students and is used to assess the students personal skills rather than their scientific knowledge.
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