Outdoor Classroom | Biology | A Level

OCR Biology

AS | A2

FSC programmes are fixed length courses with clearly stated outcomes and links to curriculum specification requirements.

Specific programmes have been developed for those studying AS and A2 Biology, following the OCR specification, to enable teachers to quickly and easily book a residential fieldtrip, safe in the knowledge that it will be directly related to concepts taught in the classroom and will contribute to achieving OCR specification requirements.

Achieving OCR AS specification requirements
At AS students will cover ideas about sampling, variation, classification and biodiversity highlighted in Module 3 – Biodiversity and Evolution. Students will also investigate diverse habitats, developing investigation and fieldwork skills for Unit 213.

By the end of each AS programme students will also have developed the practical skills needed to carry out an AS (Unit F213) Practical Skills Assessment (Qualitative, Quantitative and/or Evaluation tasks).

Four day programme:
Sampling Biodiversity

Students develop fieldwork skills in a range of diverse habitats, working towards structuring their own investigations throughout the course and developing the following skills:

  • Data collection: random sampling to measure biodiversity, using dichotomous keys
  • Data analysis: species richness, species evenness, Simpson’s Diversity Index

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One day programme:
Biodiversity

Students will be introduced to a range of ecological sampling strategies by carrying out an investigation in one of the diverse habitats around your chosen centre.

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Achieving OCR A2 specification requirements
By the end of each A2 programme students will also have developed the practical skills needed to carry out an A2 (Unit F216) Practical Skills Assessment (Qualitative, Quantitative and/or Evaluation tasks).

At A2, the specification places considerable emphasis on practical work including field work (A2 Module 3 and A2 Unit F216 – Practical skills in Biology). The A2 programmes will cover much of the content from Module 3 and will use fieldwork to allow students to gain a strong understanding of “How Science Works”; through the development and practice of investigative skills and through the consideration of how scientific evidence may be used to assess people’s impact on the environment.

Eight day programme:
Practical Skills in Biology and Wider World Issues

This longer programme covers the same content as a five day programme, but enables students to gain further experience in fieldwork and to experience a wider range of habitats and organisms. Students will have time to complete all parts of a Practical Skills Assessment if required.

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Five day programme:
Practical Skills in Biology

  • Data collection: random sampling, line transects, belt transects, use of frame and point quadrats.
  • Data analysis in addition to AS: kite diagrams, one statistical test of association / correlation, one statistical test of difference

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The FSC prides itself on being flexible.

If you can't find a programme to meet your exact requirements a course specifically tailored to meet your needs can be developed. To discuss this, contact the centre of your choice.