IGCSE Biology-0610

Handbook

Table of Contents

Syllabus Overview

Aims

Content Overview

Assessment Overview

Assessment Objectives

Details of Assessments

Appendices

Specimen Papers

Syllabus Overview

Cambridge IGCSE Biology develops a set of transferable skills including handling data, practical problem-solving and applying the scientific method. Learners develop relevant attitudes, such as concern for accuracy and precision, objectivity, integrity, enquiry, initiative and inventiveness. They acquire the essential scientific skills required for progression to further studies or employment.

Our approach in Cambridge IGCSE Biology encourages learners to be:

confident, interested in learning about science, questioning ideas and using scientific language to communicate their views and opinions

responsible, working methodically and safely when working alone or collaboratively with others

reflective, learning from their experiences and interested in scientific issues that affect the individual, the community and the environment

innovative, solving unfamiliar problems confidently and creatively

engaged, keen to develop scientific skills, being curious about scientific principles and their application in the world.

Aims

The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.

You can deliver some of the aims using suitable local, international or historical examples and applications, or

through collaborative practical work.

The aims are to enable students to:

• acquire scientific knowledge and understanding of scientific theories and practice

• develop a range of experimental skills, including handling variables and working safely

• use scientific data and evidence to solve problems and discuss the limitations of scientific methods

• communicate effectively and clearly, using scientific terminology, notation and conventions

• understand that the application of scientific knowledge can benefit people and the environment

• enjoy science and develop an informed interest in scientific matters which support further study.

Content Overview

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Candidates study the following topics:

1 Characteristics and classification of living organisms

2 Organisation of the organism

3 Movement into and out of cells

4 Biological molecules

5 Enzymes

6 Plant nutrition

7 Human nutrition

8 Transport in plants

9 Transport in animals

10 Diseases and immunity

11 Gas exchange in humans

12 Respiration

13 Excretion in humans

14 Coordination and response

15 Drugs

16 Reproduction

17 Inheritance

18 Variation and selection

19 Organisms and their environment

20 Human influences on ecosystems

21 Biotechnology and genetic modification

Assessment Overview

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Assessment Objectives

The assessment objectives (AOs) are:

AO1 Knowledge with understanding

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• scientific phenomena, facts, laws, definitions, concepts and theories

• scientific vocabulary, terminology and conventions (including symbols, quantities and units)

• scientific instruments and apparatus, including techniques of operation and aspects of safety

• scientific and technological applications with their social, economic and environmental implications.

Subject content defines the factual material that candidates may be required to recall and explain.

Candidates will also be asked questions which require them to apply this material to unfamiliar contexts and to apply knowledge from one area of the syllabus to another.

AO2 Handling information and problem-solving

Candidates should be able, in words or using other written forms of presentation (i.e. symbolic, graphical and numerical), to:

• locate, select, organise and present information from a variety of sources

• translate information from one form to another

• manipulate numerical and other data

• use information to identify patterns, report trends and form conclusions

• present reasoned explanations for phenomena, patterns and relationships

• make predictions based on relationships and patterns

• solve problems, including some of a quantitative nature.

Questions testing these skills may be based on information that is unfamiliar to candidates, requiring them to apply the principles and concepts from the syllabus to a new situation, in a logical, deductive way.

AO3 Experimental skills and investigations

Candidates should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of how to select and safely use techniques, apparatus and materials (including

following a sequence of instructions where appropriate)

• plan experiments and investigations

• make and record observations, measurements and estimates

• interpret and evaluate experimental observations and data

• evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements.