Life and Health SciencesAS Units 2018

Portfolio Units

Internally Assessed/Portfolio Units

Single Award AS

• Unit 1 Experimental Techniques

Double Award AS

• Unit 1 Experimental Techniques

• Unit 4 Brain Science

• Unit 6 Medicine, Drugs and Clinical Trials

Portfolio Clinic

• Provides feedback on the internal assessment process.

• Letters out January

• Feedback to schools by end of March

• Three complete samples per unit per subject maximum

(Photocopies only).

• If complete samples are not available feedback will only

be on the work that is presented.

• Samples should represent a range of mark bands where

possible.

Portfolio Submission Requirements

In order to meet the portfolio requirements to

• Evidence all learning outcomes

• Indicate to which mark criterion marks have been allocated and to which

mark band the quality of the candidate response is commensurate,

Centres must Use the Portfolio Checklists (A2 1 and A2 10)

Record marks in the CCEA Candidate Mark Record (ensure the most up to date version is used--available from LHS microsite)

Where necessary annotate candidate work with the learning outcome codes or to record anything noteworthy eg candidate worked independently and skilfully.

In some instances centres may find it helpful to use the pro-formas in the SAMs.

Life & Health Sciences Microsite

Candidate Mark Records are available from Internal Assessment area of microsite

Portfolio Evidence

• Within the specification in Section 7 (Guidance on InternalAssessment) a table summarises the submission requirements for each of the internally assessed units

• There are a very wide range of methods which can be used for the recording of portfolio evidence and some of them are compulsory for particular units

All the evidence in the portfolio must be:

• Produced by the candidate working independently

• Templates, writing frames or worksheets cannot be used for

assessment evidence. Their use may be reported as malpractice (JCQ) and will limit the awardable marks for the learning outcome.

Methods of presenting evidence

• Essays

• Written reports

• Written investigation reports

• Work logs

• Learning logs

• Laboratory books

• Case studies

• Fact files

• Database etc

Moderation Process

• Moderation is now completed via the emod system

• School examination officers will provide you with log on details and marks will be returned to CCEA online with standardisation confirmation and candidate authentication details

• A sample will then be requested if it does not include your top and bottom candidate these must be included

• Your sample will be reviewed by the centres appointed moderator and a recommendation to endorse the centre marks or adjust the centre marks will be sent to the senior team where a final decision will be reached

It Is worth noting that individual portfolios are not adjusted, centres are adjusted, and the rank order cannot be changed by that adjustment

At present, word-counts are provided merely for guidance –no penalty will be applied for any deviation from the suggested word-count.

Written communication requirements are not individually or separately marked within the mark criteria but are evident in the quality of the portfolio and therefore effect the band awarded

Examining/Moderating

Experimental Techniques

AS 1

Activities

• Specification overview

• Portfolio submission

• Support materials

General Guidance on Internal Assessment Tasks Unit 1

• written report

• agreed format

• word count

• impersonal past tense

• scientific terminology and specialist vocabulary

• text legible, clear, coherent and SPG accurate

• candidates worked independently

• resources bibliography

• candidate mark record

Adherence to Task Specific Mark Scheme

• Subject Content

• Sample Experimental Techniques

• Candidate Guidance

Title

• No marks

• Set by teacher

• Can be a title from the SAM (unless notified)

Objective

• No marks

• Set by the teacher

Introduction

• relevant knowledge

• principles, definitions, theories, laws and experimental techniques

• a hypothesis or a suggestion of what might be expected in the results

Materials & Apparatus

• extensive apparatus list

• labelled diagram

Risk Assessment

• Identify the risk

• Explain the safety hazard

• How to minimize

• Reference to COSHH and CLEAPSS

Procedure

• Step by step description

• Link to objective

• Clear coherent language

• Refer to Health and Safety

• Repeatable

Results

Tables

• Headings, Units

Graphs

• Best type, title and axes labelling, utilizing the entire graph paper

• Tables graphs and figures should be numbered

Calculations

• All calculations should be included and recorded to two decimal places

Conclusion

• Statement of findings which answers the objective

• Link to objective, hypothesis or expected results

• analysis of sources of error

• Limitations with explanation

• Evaluation and refinement of experimental techniques (improvements)

References

• Harvard Referencing

• List of sources and resources used

• Text books

• Websites

• Magazines

Support Materials

• Specification

• Candidate Guidance

• Candidate Pro-forma

• Specimen Mark Scheme for all Experimental Techniques

• SOW

• Candidate Mark Record

Portfolio evidence

• Portfolio checklist

• Candidate Mark Record

• 12 written reports

Brain Science

AS 4

Unit AS 4

• Mandatory for Double Award AS (16.7%) and Double Award A-level (6.7%).

• 80 marks.

Assessment Objectives

• AO1: knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas/processes/techniques – 12 marks.

• A02: apply knowledge and understanding in theoretical and practical contexts and when handling data to solve problems – 14 marks.

• AO3: analyse and interpret a range of scientific information/ideas/evidence to make judgements/reach conclusions/refine practical design and procedures – 54 marks (26 practical, 28 theory).

Generating Evidence

The required evidence is detailed in the Learning Outcomes for the Unit.

4.1.1-12: The healthy & the damaged brain

4.2.1-5: The physiological & psychological effects of stress

4.3.1-6: Cognitive science

4.4.1-5: Psychopathology & treatment

4.5.1-15: Research methods

Points to note

• AO1 is worth a maximum of 12 marks yet students need to show evidence of all the learning outcomes many of which are AO1

• Be careful not to put too much detail into these areas as the time spent should match the mark availability

• Nuffield foundation provides methodologies for some of the investigations and these provide information on ethics and safety, so are a good starting point for candidates

Generating Evidence

The required evidence is detailed in the Learning Outcomes for the Unit.

4.1.1-12: The healthy & the damaged brain

4.2.1-5: The physiological & psychological effects of stress

4.3.1-6: Cognitive science

4.4.1-5: Psychopathology & treatment

4.5.1-15: Research methods

The required evidence is generated through specified “tasks” for the Unit:

Note: Refer to the Candidate Mark Record for details of how all learning outcomes can be addresses through tasks

The tasks outlined in the specification do not address all learning outcomes. This has been addressed in a revision of the specification that is under review.

Tasks

Tasks as outlined in Specification

1. a fact sheet on structure and functions of parts of brain;

2. a report of a laboratory experiment investigating materials to protect brain;

3. a fact sheet about stress in teenagers;

4. an investigation using a questionnaire into stress in teenagers at different key stages;

5. a fact sheet to explain how understanding of memory can help understand conditions such as dyslexia or dementia;

6. an experimental investigation on an aspect of memory;

7. an evaluation of scientific/statistical methods used in the study of the mind and brain;

8. an analysis of a piece of statistical research data with relevance to NI mental health (LO 4.1.12 states “in Northern Ireland”)

NOTE: Some of the Learning Outcomes require centres to devise their own tasks these are detailed on the candidate mark record sheet

Note: All investigations should be written up as per the proforma on page 224 of the SAMS

Centre Devised Tasks

• Centres need to devise the following tasks:

– Adrenaline Investigation

– Eye witness statement activity

– Psychopathology and treatment activity

See the candidate mark record for details of learning outcomes addressed through these tasks

Marking the tasks

• Marks for each task are to be recorded on the candidate mark record sheet

• Annotation to identify the learning outcome in the portfolio allows easy identification for marking and moderation

• The banding descriptors for each Assessment Objective (AO) are found on pages 277-279 of the SAMS

Please ensure you download and use the up-to-date Candidate Mark Record from the CCEA LHS microsite

Medicine, Drugs and Clinical Trials AS 6

Overview

• General Guidance

• Specification

• Candidate Mark Record

• Portfolio Support Guidance

General Guidance

• Two reports within the portfolio

• Candidate Mark Record must be included

• Word count

• Indication of Learning Outcomes

6.1 – Categories of Medicine

• Simple definition of a medicine/drug

• Several categories of medicines – including their purpose and some relevant examples.

• Methods of developing new drugs – each category in the specification must be included, with examples where relevant

6.2 – Medicines from concept to consumer

• One modern day medicine derived from natural sources

• Process used to develop chosen medicine

• ATC Classification System and nomenclature

• History of chosen medicine, including extraction and refinement

• Pre-clinical testing of medicines

• Clinical trials

• Roles and responsibilities of manufacturers/regulatory bodies

• Formulations, including yellow card scheme and side-effects/contraindications

• Ethical issues, patient consent and safety guidelines

6.2 – Medicines from concept to

consumer

For chosen medicine:

•Pharmacodynamics

•Pharmacokinetics

•Administration

•ADME

6.3 – Actions of medicines

For chosen medicine:

•Factors that affect the action

•Site of action

6.4 – Analysis of medicines

There are two investigations that need to be completed.

1. A quantitative analysis e.g.

–Determining the percentage of aspirin in over-the-counter aspirin tablets via back titration

–Determining the amount of iron present in an iron tablet via titration with potassium

permanganate

2. A bioassay e.g.

–The effect of ampicillin on bacterial growth

–The effect of different concentrations of an antibacterial agent on bacterial growth

Candidates must complete one quantitative analysis and one bioassay.

Examination Units

Overview of Examinations

Unit AS 1: Experimental Techniques

Internal assessment

Core unit

33.34% of AS

13.34% of A level

16.67% of AS

6.67% of A level

Unit AS 2: Human Body Systems

Unit AS 3: Aspects of Physical Chemistry in Industrial Processes

Unit AS 4: Brain Science

Unit AS 5: Material Science

External written examination

1 hour 30 mins

External written examination

1 hour 30 mins

Internal assessment

Core unit (Double Award)

External written examination

1 hour 30 mins

33.33% of AS

13.33% of A level

33.33% of AS

13.33% of A level

16.67% of AS

6.67% of A level

16.67% of AS

6.67% of A level

16.66% of AS

6.66% of A level

16.67% of AS

6.67% of A level

Unit AS 6: Medicine, Drugs and Clinical Trials

Internal assessment 16.66% of AS

6.66% of A level

General Guidance

• AS is worth 40% of the overall grade(s)

• Papers are 1hr 30min with 75 available marks to reflect this

How each paper at AS is comprised

Look at the Assessment Objectives

• AO1 45% knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas

• AO2 33% application of knowledge

• AO3 22% analysis, interpretation and evaluation

General Guidance

Quality of written communication

Students need to:

• ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate so that meaning is clear;

• select and use a form and style of writing that suit their purpose and complex subject matter; and

• organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary where appropriate.

Human Body Systems

AS 2

AS 2 Human Body Systems

In this unit students focus on how body systems work and how they support good health.

We have divided the unit of work into four distinct aspects:

1. Cardiovascular System

2. Respiratory System

3. Homeostatic mechanisms

4. Nutrition and physical exercise in maintaining good health

AS 2 is a challenging unit, especially for students who have previously studied SAS at GCSE level

A series of FAQs and guidance for Learning Outcomes is available on the website

Aspects of Physical Chemistry in industrial

Processes

AS 3

AS 3 Physical Chemistry

In this unit students develop skills in performing chemical calculations and apply their knowledge of energetics, kinetics and equilibrium in the industrial manufacture of chemicals.

AS 3 Physical Chemistry

There are six main areas of study in this unit.

1. Calculations

2. Volumetric analysis

3. Energetics

4. Kinetics

5. Equilibrium

6. Industrial Processes

Material Science

AS 5

AS 5 Material Science

• Material Science allows students to relate properties of materials to microscopic structures. This includes ‘new’ materials such as biomaterials, nano-materials and semiconductors.

• The main purpose of this unit is to introduce students to modern materials that are being used in a variety of industries.