Unit 3 AS Biology Coursework Guidance

Generally
No repetition or irrelevant material allowed.
Only briefly mentioning a point may not be sufficient to gain the mark.
Ensure you exactly follow the format and headings below to gain the marks.
Your illustrations, tables and pictures throughout the document should: have a
title, a figure number eg figure 1 ,have labels if applicable and should be
refered to in your text to show that they are relevant.
Comments;
Problem: The main title goes here .....
1.1 The question to solve goes here i.e. ..............
Briefly describe the problem stating ;
What is the problem i.e.;....
The problem is.( and show how it relates to Biology )...............
It is caused by..................
Include: several references, data in a table or graph are mandatory and views
from sources one of which should be a professional journal.....
Add your own views and justify ( give evidence to support) them. ..............
Say why it is an important area to investigate ie.......

1.2 Biological Methods Involved In Producing Solutions

Say what biologists are doing to solve the problem. This might include two main
methods .Include data and or graphs to show details when explaining.......
Ideas might include:....................................

1.3 The Appropriateness of The Methods

State how valid they are i.e. how affective are these methods are in dealing
with the problem with reference to data/graphs/tables comment on whether
they actually solve the problem totally or partially.
State how reliable they are i.e. is the information from a credible source, is it
corroborated by other sources, is it a large enough sample to make it
significant.
Add points for and against the methods from sources and add your view and
justify your view.

2.1 Implications Of The Solutions

Identify two implications of the solutions which may be: ethical, social,
environmental or economic.
Explain them fully ( not briefly ) and use diagrams/photos/graphs etc

2.2 Evaluation Of The implications

Evaluate the benefits and risks to humans, other organisms and the environment
of the two implications explained in 2.1 above.
To evaluate you should head up two sub headings of Benefits and Risks and
within each one include in your discussion: -State your views and cross reference them to credible sources ( state if they
agree with yours or not )
-When discussing you should include points for and against from various sources
and include your justified view. A brief mention is not sufficient to secure the
marks.

- Comment on whether there are a number of sources which agree with your
views or upon which you have based your views ( this is called corroboration and
it can be used to justify your opinion )
-Comment on whether the source you are quoting is credible and trustworthy
( professional ones are )
-Comment on how up-to-date the source is ( the more up-to-date it is the
better )
-Comment on whether the information you are quoting is based on fact or the
authors opinion ( Factual data is more trustworthy as opinions can be biased )
-Comment on if you can whether the author is using primary or secondary data
( secondary data requires an element of interpretation and is more subjective )

2.3 Alternative Solutions

Discuss two alternative solutions to the ones listed. You should include points
for and against from various sources and include your justified view. A brief
mention is not sufficient to secure the marks.

3. Bibliography of Sources
Include at least 6 sources with;
-at least one web based(include the date the website was accessed)
- at least one nonweb based
-and at least one professional journal .
Evaluate 2 of the sources to include the pros and cons of their views. Are these
views based on fact or opinion. Are they trusted credible sources. Do other
sources agree. Are they up-to-date. Are they based on primary or secondary
data. Add your views and justify them.

Ensure the number of words is listed at the bottom of each page and that the
total word count is recommended at c2000words although you can go over
Ensure that visuals are relevant, titled and referred to in the text
Use the appropriate biological and scientific language throughout the work.