IGCSE Human Biology Course

Human Biology

IGCSE (Edexcel) 

A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain a Human Biology IGCSE. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning IGCSE Human Biology  is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for the IGCSE exam through home study. What's more, because the distance learning IGCSE Human Biology Course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

The course is designed to develop a positive attitude to human biology in the twenty–first century. It attempts to look at the way biology affects your everyday life and how you can evaluate the scientific material that you come across in newspapers, magazines and on the television. In combination with other suitable IGCSE entry subjects the course is an ideal preparation for those who wish to go on to study Biology or Human Biology at AS and A2 level.

The course is designed to be accessible to students who may have only a limited previous background in science. If you have some background in biology then you should find that some of the lessons build upon things that you have met before in your earlier studies.

FORMAT OF COURSE (Modules Overview)

The IGCSE Human Biology course is designed to follow the structure of the Edexcel 4HB0 specification and is divided into five modules, as follows:

Module One: Cell Processes
Module Two: Human Physiology A
Module Three: Human Physiology B
Module Four: Reproduction and Heredity
Module Five: Microorganisms, Disease and Environment

It is advisable that you do the modules in order as the content has been written to enable you to develop your knowledge and skills as you progress through the lessons.

The course includes 12 Tutor-marked Assignments and a Mock Exam, and enables students to develop a range of basic scientific investigative skills as they work with diagrams, graphs, statistics, photographic images and online media. The course provides an excellent introduction to the study of Human Biology and a sound basis from which to proceed to Biology A Level.

Students should have internet access to carry out some of the research and lesson activities, and should obtain a copy of the Edexcel Human Biology Student Book (2010) which forms the course textbook.

HOME STUDY SUPPORT 

Effective learning is encouraged through frequent activities and self-assessment questions, and there is guidance for the preparation of coursework.

You will be provided with comprehensive materials designed to provide you with everything required to complete your course of study. You will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have. Plus you can contact a Student Advisors by email or phone for all the practical advice you may need – so we really are with you 100%.

You have a lot of resources to help you in your studies; your course blue file, your textbook, internet resources and your tutor. You should make good use of your tutor to help you with any difficulties that you may have during the course especially at the start and there is extra material in the student support portal.

COURSE RESOURCES
You will require the following text books for your course:

Edexcel IGCSE Human Biology (2010)
Authors: Phil Bradfield and Steve Potter
Publisher: Pearson Education ISBN: 978 0 435044 13 8

You will need to use a copy of this textbook throughout the course; you can buy a copy from Amazon by clicking here. It is referred to in every lesson and provides excellent coverage of the material. By using the textbook and the course you will have very full coverage of all the material.

You should not need other books throughout the course but you may like to look in other biology books from time to time. If you feel that you would like to use a revision guide before the examination you should ask your tutor which one they recommend.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

Self-Assessment Tests
Every lesson is concluded with either a Self-Assessment Test or a Tutor Marked Assignment. Only tackle these when you feel that you have fully mastered the material in the lesson. If it is a Self-Assessment Test, first try to check your answers by referring back to the lesson, and then compare your answers with those given right at the end of the lesson.

Tutor-Marked Assignments
After every two lessons there is a Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA). These are in IGCSE examination style and will thoroughly check your understanding of the previous two lessons. You should send your answers to your tutor, who will return your marked script, together with a set of suggested answers.

Revision
Do not leave all your revision until the end of the course! You will need to revise thoroughly for your examination, but frequent revision throughout the course is essential. Plan your revision sensibly, and re-read as you feel necessary, if your knowledge is beginning to fade.

The last TMA in the course is a mock exam of two papers, following closely the format of the exam itself. You are recommended to study the online practice exam and mark scheme before attempting this TMA and sending it to your tutor. It is also a good idea to restrict yourself to the time specified for the exam, so you have practice writing under time pressure.

HOME STUDY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Human Biology and would like to take part in a highly rewarding home study course. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 24 months from initial registration with full tutor support.

COURSE FEES

The enrolment fee for the IGCSE Human Biology home study course is £368.75, though for a limited time we are offering you the opportunity to pay only £295 which is a 20% discount if you enrol online and pay in full.

You can also opt for our Easy Payment Plan and enrol online today by paying a deposit of £73.75 and then four equal payments of £73.75 per month. The first instalment is paid about a month after you receive your course.

For International Students who wish to enrol - click here 
(Additional £40 postage / packing & administration)

QUALIFICATION / EXAMANATION

The examination you will sit consists of two papers. There is no separate practical exam and no practical coursework component; testing of practical skills is built into both of the theory papers.

Human Biology Paper 1
This is a two-hour examination paper. The total number of marks is 120, two thirds of the overall total. The paper examines all of the Specification content and all of the assessment objectives. There will be a range of compulsory short-answer, structured questions, which are ramped to ensure accessibility for less able students, as well as to stretch more able students.

Human Biology Paper 2
This is a one-hour examination paper. The total number of marks is 60, one third of the overall total. This paper also examines all of the Specification content, but will focus on investigation and the analysis of data. In both papers, students may be required to perform calculations, draw graphs and describe, explain and interpret biological phenomena. Some of the question content will be unfamiliar to students; these questions are designed to assess data-handling skills and the ability to apply biological principles to unfamiliar information.

Questions targeted at grades A* – B will include questions designed to test knowledge, understanding and skills at a higher level, including some questions requiring longer prose answers. The IGCSE qualification will be graded and certificated on an eight-grade scale from A* (A-starred) to G. Individual unit results will be reported. Students whose level of achievement is below the minimum standard for Grade G will receive an unclassified U. Where unclassified is received it will not be recorded on the certificate.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Your course fee covers everything you will need to successfully complete the Human Biology home study course and earn your IGCSE:

1. All textbooks, study folders, and/or online learning aids designed for distance learning.
2. A full range of student services, including:Tutor marked assessments (TMAs)Access to the online student portal (Student Chat, Forums and Online Support Resources)NUS Extra Card (discounted membership)Comprehensive Study Guide & Study PlanGuide to Effective Study TechniquesHow to approach exams without fear
3. An accredited qualification upon successful course completion directly from the awarding body Edexcel
4. Two year's educational support by e-mail, post, fax or phone
5. Free postage and packaging for UK mainland students

FURTHER COURSE INFORMATION

If your course is being delivered online, please ensure you meet the minimum requirements below.

For Windows:
Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above

For Macintosh:
Mac OS X, Mac OS 9.2 - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above

From time to time we may enrol our students with our partner sites; this is dependent on the number of students enrolling on a particular course and course material availability. If this happens, nothing changes for you other than the name of the college administering your course. We will continue to be your point of contact; you will get the exact same course you have enrolled on with the same high level of quality content and support.

WHAT TO DO NOW?

Step One: It's simple - all you need to do now is choose whether you want to pay in instalments or in full and then click on the relevant enrolment button at the top of this page.

Step Two: Once you have selected your payment option to enrol you will be redirected (this can take a few seconds) to our PayPal payment page for you to select your payment method and complete your enrolment.

Step Three: Within 7 days (normally 48 hours) your enrolment papers and course materials will be with you. A tutor and a dedicated support advisor will also be allocated to you.

That's it..... Thanks and wishing you the best of luck with your studies.

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