This document provides an overview and guide to teaching Pre-U Biology. It outlines that the syllabus is divided into six sections covering topics like cells, evolution, plants and environmental studies. It also describes the course's linear structure, emphasis on practical skills, and independent learning. Assessment consists of four components testing knowledge, problem-solving and experimental skills, with questions set in various real-world contexts.

1. Guide to teaching
Pre-U Biology
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MAKING SENSE OF

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• This is a two year linear qualification.
• The syllabus is divided into six sections.
• This is not a teaching order.
• Practical work is integral and skills should be
developed throughout the two year course.
• Much of the course content should be covered
independently as this is an important skill to
develop.
2

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1. The cell
2. The origin and
evolution of life
3. Animal physiology
1.1 Eukaryotic cell structure
1.2 Prokaryotic cells
1.3 Cell replication
1.4 Enzymes
1.5 Respiration
1.6 Genes and protein
synthesis
1.7 Applications of cell
biology
2.1 The origins of life
2.2 The chemicals of life
2.3 The evolution of life
2.4 Classification
3.1 Transport systems
3.2 Nutrition
3.3 Nerves, muscles and
behaviour
3.4 Homeostasis and cell
signalling
3.5 The immune system
3.6 Reproduction

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4. The life of plants 5. Environmental studies 6. Practical biology
4.1 Transport in plants
4.2 Photosynthesis
4.3 Reproduction
4.4 Control of plant
processes
5.1 Adaptation
5.2 Measuring and
conserving biodiversity
6.1 Planning and decision
making
6.2 Manipulation,
measurement and
observation
6.3 Presentation of data and
observations
6.4 Analysis of data and
conclusions
6.5 Analysis of procedures
and data

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• There are four components to the assessment.
• Each component is based on the whole
syllabus content.
• The components are taken together at the
end of the course.

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Paper 1 - Structured Paper 2 – Data analysis and planning
Paper 4 - PracticalPaper 3 – Case study and synoptic essay
2 hrs
30 min
1 hr
15 min
1 hr
45 min
2 hrs
30 min
40%
15%
22.5%
22.5%
• Section A (20 marks) – 20 objective
single word answer questions.
• Section B (80 marks) – Structured
short answer questions.
• Section A (35 marks) – Data analysis
• Section B (25 marks) – Planning
exercise
• Section A (30 marks) – Case study
• Section B (30 marks) – Synoptic essay –
choice from 1 of 3 unstructured
questions.
• Section A (45 marks) – One or two
practical based questions.
• Section B (35 marks) – Using a
microscope

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A01 Knowledge with understanding
(facts, definitions, diagrams, terminology, methodology)
40%
A02 Application of knowledge and problem solving
(interpret, analyse, evaluate, translate, synthesise, explain, accuracy, validity)
40%
A03 Experimental and investigative skills
(Plan, report, draw, observe, manipulate, calculate, improve, identify, predict)
20%
• Here is a summary of the assessment objectives that
the questions will be testing.
• As you can see there is a greater than 50% weighting
towards the skills element rather than knowledge.

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1
2
3
Distinction
1
2
3
Merit 1
2
3
Pass

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• Many of the questions will be set in novel
contexts and you will need to apply your
knowledge and understanding to them.
• Therefore it is important to do extensive reading
around the syllabus topics and keep up to date
with scientific developments in the media.

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• These are just some of the areas of context
that may be used:
Medicine Veterinary
Medicine
Agriculture
and
production
Genomics
and
proteomics
History of
science
Ethics Conservation

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• This is just a basic overview of Pre-U Biology.
• Visit this link for the full official specification:
http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-
qualifications/cambridge-pre-u-biology-9790/