Biology
Cambridge Upper Secondary
Why Study Cambridge IGCSE Biology?
Cambridge IGCSE Biology helps you to understand the biological world in which you live, and take an informed interest in science and scientific development. It enables you to recognise the usefulness and limitations of the scientific method, and how to apply this to other disciplines and in everyday life. You will develop relevant attitudes, such as a concern for accuracy and precision, enquiry, integrity, initiative and inventiveness. You will gain a better understanding of the scientific skills essential for both further study and everyday life. (Cambridge Assessment International Education, n.d.)
Key concepts covered in the course
- Characteristics and classification of living organisms
- Movement in and out of cells
- Biological molecules
- Human nutrition
- Diseases and immunity
- Drugs
- Reproduction
- Inheritance
- Variation and selection
- Biotechnology and genetic engineering
Prior requirements and hours of study
Cambridge IGCSE Biology requires about 130 hours of study. The number of hours needed may vary depending on your previous experience of the subject.
We recommend that students who are beginning this course should have previously completed a Biology curriculum such as the Cambridge Lower Secondary programme or equivalent national educational framework.
Please note, you will not be expected to carry out experiments during the exams. But you are expected to develop your experimental skills and a knowledge and understanding of practical techniques. Therefore, in order to ensure your understanding of how the practical would be carried out in a laboratory environment, we strongly advise you to attend a Residential School at Cambridge Online Academy if you are taking IGCSE Biology. For more information about our one-week Residential School, please click here.
IGCSE BIOLOGY
Examinations
Students studying Cambridge IGCSE Biology take three papers in a single examination series.
| Paper 1 | Duration | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice Questions | 45 minutes | 30% |
| Paper 2 | Duration | Weighting |
| Short-answer and structured questions | 1 hour 15 minutes | 50% |
| Paper 3 | Duration | Weighting |
| Practical Test | 1 hour | 20% |
Examination Entry
All students who complete the appropriate courses at Cambridge Online Academy are eligible to sit exams like the International GCSEs or A/AS Levels through Cambridge International. But while students can do all of their learning online at home, we cannot administer exams online. To sit exams, students must travel in person to one of 10,000 Cambridge International Exam Centres located in 160 countries around the globe.
But we’re here to help. We’ll provide you with all the necessary exam codes you need to present to the exam centre, and any other pertinent information you need to know to get your child signed up correctly.
Also, as part of the initial information, we provide during the pre-enrolment process, you’ll receive contact information for all the Cambridge International Exam Centres in your area. Once you’ve ensured that the exam centre of your choice offers the specific exam level your child needs, the exam centre will arrange accommodations for your child and give you detailed information on obtaining the results.
Course Fee
The fee for Cambridge International GCSE Biology can be paid in monthly or termly instalments.
For more information about Fees and Scholarships, please click here.
For more information about Cambridge IGCSE Biology, please click here.
For the full list of references, please click here.
Biology
Cambridge Advanced
Why Study Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology?
The Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology builds on the skills acquired at Cambridge IGCSE (or equivalent) level. The course includes the main theoretical concepts which are fundamental to the subject, some current applications of biology, and a strong emphasis on advanced practical skills. Practical skills are assessed in a timetabled practical examination.
The emphasis throughout is on the understanding of concepts and the application of biology ideas in novel contexts as well as on the acquisition of knowledge. The course encourages creative thinking and problem-solving skills which are transferable to any future career path. Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology is ideal for learners who want to study biology or a wide variety of related subjects at university or to follow a career in science. (Cambridge Assessment International Education, n.d.)
Key concepts covered in the course
- Cells as the units of life
- Biochemical processes
- DNA, the molecule of heredity
- Natural selection
- Organisms in their environment
- Observation and experiment
Prior requirements and hours of study
Cambridge International AS Level Biology requires about 180 hours of study, and Cambridge International A Level Biology requires about 360 hours of study. These figures are for guidance only. The number of hours needed may vary depending on your previous experience of the subject.
We recommend that students who are beginning this course should have previously completed a Cambridge International GCSE course in Biology.
Grade B/6 or above in Biology at IGCSE or the equivalent is required before starting Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology. It is also necessary that all A-Level students have IGCSE English Language or the equivalent at Grade C/4 or above.
Please note, you will be expected to carry out experiments during the exams. Therefore, in order to develop your experimental skills and a knowledge and understanding of practical techniques, we strongly advise you to attend a Residential School at Cambridge Online Academy if you are taking A-level Biology. For more information about our one-week Residential School, please click here.
AS & A LEVEL BIOLOGY
Examinations
Students studying AS Level Biology only take three papers out of five in a single examination series.
Students studying A Level Biology take all five papers.
| Paper 1 | Duration | AS Level | A Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice Questions based on the AS Level syllabus content | 1 hour 15 minutes | 31% | 15.5% |
| Paper 2 | Duration | AS Level | A Level |
| Structured questions based on the AS Level syllabus content | 1 hour 15 minutes | 46% | 23% |
| Paper 3 | Duration | AS Level | A Level |
| Advanced Practical Skills (practical work and structured questions) | 2 hours | 23% | 11.5% |
| Paper 4 | Duration | AS Level | A Level |
| Structured questions based on the A Level syllabus content | 2 hours | - | 38.5% |
| Paper 5 | Duration | AS Level | A Level |
| Planning, Analysis and Evaluation (questions are based on the practical skills of planning, analysis and evaluation) | - | 11.5% |
Examination Entry
All students who complete the appropriate courses at Cambridge Online Academy are eligible to sit exams like the International GCSEs or A/AS Levels through Cambridge International. But while students can do all of their learning online at home, we cannot administer exams online. To sit exams, students must travel in person to one of 10,000 Cambridge International Exam Centres located in 160 countries around the globe.
But we’re here to help. We’ll provide you with all the necessary exam codes you need to present to the exam centre, and any other pertinent information you need to know to get your child signed up correctly.
Also, as part of the initial information, we provide during the pre-enrolment process, you’ll receive contact information for all the Cambridge International Exam Centres in your area. Once you’ve ensured that the exam centre of your choice offers the specific exam level your child needs, the exam centre will arrange accommodations for your child and give you detailed information on obtaining the results.
Course Fee
The fee for Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology can be paid in monthly or termly instalments.
For more information about Fees and Scholarships, please click here.
For more information about Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology, please click here.
For the full list of references, please click here.