INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL BIOLOGY - Edexcel

1 INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL BIOLOGYSPECIFICATIONP earson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary in BIOLOGY (XBI11) Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL in BIOLOGY (YBI11) First teaching September 2018 First examination from January 2019 First certification from August 2019 ( INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary) and August 2020 ( INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL ) Issue 2 Edexcel , BTEC and LCCI qualifications Edexcel , BTEC and LCCI qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK s largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked. For further information, please visit our qualification website at Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at About Pearson Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 35,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning.

2 We put the learner at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do people. Find out more about how we can help you and your learners at Acknowledgements This specification has been produced by Pearson on the basis of consultation with teachers, examiners, consultants and other interested parties. Pearson would like to thank all those who contributed their time and expertise to the specification s development. References to third party materials made in this specification are made in good faith. Pearson does not endorse, approve or accept responsibility for the content of materials, which may be subject to change, or any opinions expressed therein. (Materials may include textbooks, journals, magazines and other publications and websites.) All information in this specification is correct at time of going to publication.

3 ISBN 978 1 446 94575 9 All the material in this publication is copyright Pearson Education Limited 2021 Summary of Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary/ ADVANCED LEVEL in BIOLOGY specification Issue 2 changes Summary of changes made between previous issue and this current issue Page number This sentence has been added to ensure that thorough information on assessment criteria is provided: This paper may contain some synoptic questions which require knowledge an d understanding from units 1 and 2. 8, 9 If you need further information on these changes or what they mean, contact us via our website at: Contents About this specification 1 Why choose Pearson Edexcel qualifications? 3 Why choose Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary/ ADVANCED LEVEL qualifications in BIOLOGY ? 4 Supporting you in planning and implementing these qualifications 5 Qualification at a glance 6 BIOLOGY content 11 Unit 1: Molecules, Diet, Transport and Health 14 Unit 2: Cells, Development, Biodiversity and Conservation 19 Unit 3: Practical Skills in BIOLOGY I 25 Unit 4: Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity 28 Unit 5: Respiration, Internal Environment, Coordination and Gene Technology 33 Unit 6: Practical Skills in BIOLOGY II 39 Assessment information 43 Administration and general information 47 Entries and resitting of units 47 Access arrangements, reasonable adjustments, special consideration and malpractice 47 Awarding and reporting 49 Student recruitment and progression 51 Appendices 53 Appendix 1: Codes 55 Appendix 2: Pearson World Class Qualification design principles 56 Appendix 3: Transferable skills 58 Appendix 4.

4 LEVEL 3 Extended Project qualification 60 Appendix 5: Glossary 62 Appendix 6: Mathematical skills and exemplifications 63 Appendix 7: Taxonomy 69 Appendix 8: Use of calculators 71 Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary/ ADVANCED LEVEL in BIOLOGY Specification Issue 2 February 2021 Pearson Education Limited 2021 1 About this specification The Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary in BIOLOGY and the Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL in BIOLOGY are part of a suite of INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL qualifications offered by Pearson. These qualifications are not accredited or regulated by any UK regulatory body. Key features This specification includes the following key features: Structure The Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary in BIOLOGY and the Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL in BIOLOGY are modular qualifications.

5 The ADVANCED Subsidiary can be claimed on completion of the INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary (IAS) units. The INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL can be claimed on completion of all the units (IAS and IA2 units). Content The content is relevant for students who have achieved a GCSE in BIOLOGY and who want to study this subject at a higher LEVEL . The content has been updated from the previous Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary in BIOLOGY and Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL in BIOLOGY qualifications. It covers the major topics in BIOLOGY , including biological molecules, diet, transport, health, cells, development, biodiversity, conservation, energy, the environment, microbiology, immunity, respiration, the internal environment, coordination and gene technology. Assessment Assessment consists of three written papers at IAS LEVEL that are externally assessed.

6 The INTERNATIONAL A LEVEL consists of three further written papers that are externally assessed. Approach Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of BIOLOGY by applying the concepts in this specification to a range of different problems, set in a variety of contexts. Students will need to apply mathematical skills to the problems. Students will also develop their practical skills. This specification includes 18 core practical activities, which is the minimum number of practical activities that students will carry out. Centres are encouraged to include additional practical activities to develop students practical skills further. Specification updates This specification is Issue 2 and is valid for first teaching from September 2018. If there are any significant changes to the specification, we will inform centres in writing. Changes will also be posted on our website.

7 For more information please visit Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary/ ADVANCED LEVEL in BIOLOGY Specification Issue 2 February 2021 Pearson Education Limited 2021 2 Using this specification This specification has been designed to give guidance to teachers and encourage effective delivery of these qualifications. The following information will help you get the most out of the content and guidance. Compulsory content: as a minimum, all the topics in the content must be taught. The word including in content specifies the detail of what must be covered. Assessments: use a range of material and are not limited to the examples given. Teachers should deliver these qualifications using a good range of examples to support the assessment of the content. Depth and breadth of content: teachers should use the full range of content and all the assessment objectives given in the subject content section.

8 Qualification aims and objectives The aims and objectives of these qualifications are to enable students to develop: essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem-solving skills their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject. Qualification abbreviations used in this specification The following abbreviations appear in this specification: INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary IAS INTERNATIONAL A2 IA2 (the additional content required for an IAL) INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED LEVEL IAL. Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary/ ADVANCED LEVEL in BIOLOGY Specification Issue 2 February 2021 Pearson Education Limited 2021 3 Why choose Pearson Edexcel qualifications?

9 Pearson the world s largest education company Edexcel academic qualifications are from Pearson, the UK s largest awarding organisation. With over million students studying our academic and vocational qualifications worldwide, we offer internationally recognised qualifications to schools, colleges and employers globally. Pearson is recognised as the world s largest education company, allowing us to drive innovation and provide comprehensive support for Pearson Edexcel students in acquiring the knowledge and skills they need for progression in study, work and life. A heritage you can trust The background to Pearson becoming the UK s largest awarding organisation began in 1836, when a royal charter gave the University of London its first powers to conduct exams and confer degrees on its students. With over 150 years of INTERNATIONAL education experience, Edexcel qualifications have a firm academic foundation, built on the traditions and rigour associated with Britain s educational system .

10 Results you can trust Pearson s leading online marking technology has been shown to produce exceptionally reliable results, demonstrating that at every stage, Pearson Edexcel qualifications maintain the highest standards. Developed to Pearson s world-class qualifications standards Pearson s world-class standards mean that all Pearson Edexcel qualifications are developed to be rigorous, demanding, inclusive and empowering. We work collaboratively with a panel of educational thought leaders and assessment experts to ensure that Pearson Edexcel qualifications are globally relevant, represent world-class best practice and maintain a consistent standard. For more information on the world-class qualification process and principles please go to Appendix 2: Pearson World Class Qualification design principles or visit our website: Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary/ ADVANCED LEVEL in BIOLOGY Specification Issue 2 February 2021 Pearson Education Limited 2021 4 Why choose Pearson Edexcel INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED Subsidiary/ ADVANCED LEVEL qualifications in BIOLOGY ?