I GCSE BIOLOGY 

International GCSE Biology Taught Online Course LIVE LESSONS  

 

 

The International GCSE Biology syllabus is designed to enable pupils to explain and understand the biological world around them. This highly valued qualification will evidence both pupils' understanding of key theoretical principles and practical skills. 

 

The International GCSE Biology syllabus enables pupils to progress on to A Level Biology which will open opportunities to study further at university. 

 

Teacher assessments are continuous during LIVE TAUGHT lessons, marking of coursework and assignments and summative tests. 

 

Homework will be given at the end of each week, usually in the form of problems to solve, researching key concepts. 

 

Parents have 24/7 access to all of their children's coursework. 

Additionally the school holds 3 parent consultaions per year - one each term. 

 

I am Head of the Biology Department. I am a qualified secondary school teacher (PGCE) with a PhD in Biology. I have worked in academia and in industry as a (bio)chemist and as a scientist before training as a teacher. 

 

I am passionate about Biology and love to share this with my students. There really is no better feeling than the satisfaction of watching young minds grow! 

 

 

Topics Covered 

B1. Characteristics of living organisms 

 

B2. Cells 

2.1 Cell structure 

2.2 Movement in and out of cells 

 

B3. Enzymes 

 

B4. Nutrition 

4.1 Nutrients 

4.2 Plant nutrition 

4.3 Animal nutrition 

 

B5. Transportation 

5.1 Transport in plants 

5.2 Transport in humans 

 

B6. Respiration 

6.1 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration 

6.2 Gas exchange 

 

B7. Co-ordination and response 

7.1 Nervous control in humans 

7.2 Hormones 

7.3 Tropic responses 

7.4 Homeostasis 

 

B8. Reproduction 

8.1 Asexual and sexual reproduction 

8.2 Sexual reproduction in plants 

8.3 Sexual reproduction in humans 

 

B9. Inheritance 

9.1 Chromosomes and genes 

9.2 Cell division 

9.3 Monohybrid inheritance 

9.4 Variation and selection 

 

B10. Energy flow in ecosystems 

 

B11. Human influences on the ecosystem 

 

These topics will be taught in Years 10 and 11 to prepare students for their examinations: 

 

Cambridge IGCSE® Biology Coursebook with CD-ROM (Cambridge International Examinations) Paperback – 31 Jul 2014 by Mary Jones (Author), Geoff Jones (Author); ISBN 978-1-107-61479-6 

Access to a printer, pencil, ruler, rubber, pen and a notebook 

 

Apart from the final International GCSE exams, assessments will be carried out continuously throughout lessons, via homework or short tests. 

Science is usually taught as a hands-on practical subject. 

Items that would be useful to have would be safety goggles, an apron, and a tray on which to carry out practicals (e.g. large baking tray). Additional materials will be announced a week before required in the lesson along with a permission slip (to be signed by the parents). If a student cannot get access to materials required for practicals or does not wish to carry out a practical, they should not worry as the practical will also be demonstrated by the teacher. 

The number of practicals will be relatively restricted owing to the nature of the course (online versus conventional) but we will try to include as many practicals as possible using safe household materials. Students will also be encouraged to think scientifically in an everyday context, making them aware of the science around them and how it can help in solving problems. 

 

Parents are responsible for arranging their child's examinations at their local registered examination centre. Students study from every part of the globe and so it is not practical for the school to offer a single venue to sit examinations. The provider, alongside; Edexcel, OCR and AQA will support students in locating a suitable venue for sitting their written and practical examinations. 

 

"The conducting of experiments is potentially dangerous and must be supervised by an adult. The providerand it's teachers do not demand that pupils conduct experiments. Parents and pupils must take the decision to conduct experiments/dangerous activities and must therefore accept responsibility for any outcomes. The provider does not accept responsibility for experiments or any other dangerous activity conducted at the homes of its pupils or in any other place."