Our AS level Biology online course explores complex ideas using relevant, engaging topics using high-quality distance learning materials. Alongside subject knowledge, you’ll develop research, problem-solving, organisational and analytical skills – all highly sought by universities and employers.

You’ll have the flexibility to fit study around your lifestyle, learning at your own pace, with access to the support of a specialist personal tutor. Like many NEC students, perhaps you’ll go on to study a science-based subject at university, or use your qualification to support your next career move?

Our Biology AS level course is ideal if you:

• Are keen to build on the knowledge you’ve gained at GCSE level.
• Enjoy working scientifically: making predictions, testing theories and evaluating and communicating your findings.
• Would like to build your observational, investigative and problem-solving skills, to improve your employability.
• Have career aspirations in health, STEM or conservation related fields
• Would like to discover how biology impacts everyday life.

Future opportunities

• Employers are crying out for candidates with science-based skills – such as enquiry, accuracy, initiative and inventiveness.
• Studying biology or STEM subjects at university.
• A range of rewarding careers in medicine, physiotherapy, nursing, veterinary science, zoology, microbiology, marine biology, pharmacology, forensic science, ecology, conservation and teaching.

Section 1: Lifestyle, health and risk

• What is cardiovascular disease?
• Who is at risk of cardiovascular disease?
• Risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
• Biochemistry involved in cardiovascular disease?
• Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease

Section 2: Genes and health

• The effects of cystic fibrosis on the lungs
• Why is CF mucus so sticky?
• The roles of proteins and enzymes
• How is the CFTR protein made?
• How is cystic fibrosis inherited?
• Testing for CF

Section 3: Voice of the genome

• Cells and their components
• In the beginning
• From one to many: the cell cycle
• How development is controlled
• Genes and environment

Section 4: Biodiversity and natural resources

• Why are there so many different species?
• How did organisms become so well adapted?
• Classification and speciation
• Plant cells and tissues
• Making use of biodiversity in plants
• On the brink

Study AS level Biology with us and benefit from:

• Flexible learning
• Support from a personal tutor by email, phone or Skype
• Any time enrolment
• Our exam booking service
• Assignments with tutor feedback
• Ongoing support from Student Support
• Forums to discuss your course with other students

learn@nec

Choose when and where you access your course, using learn@nec our 24/7 learning platform.

This easy-to-use learning platform includes interactive checkpoints, quizzes and activities to help you evaluate your progress.

You’ll have access to support from a personal tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience of supporting online learners.

Meet Donal who is just one of our first-class biology tutors:

“My lifelong fascination with biology has led to a varied and interesting career. I worked at the Natural History Museum on insect taxonomy and the Commonwealth Institute for Biological Control where I studied the control of insect and plant pests using natural enemies. I also worked in government fisheries laboratories in England and Ireland and for ADAS on insects in field margins. In addition to teaching for the NEC I am an associate lecturer at the Open University, mainly in ecology and evolution. Previously, I was a teaching fellow for the OU developing new courses, and subsequently a staff tutor in Cambridge and Birmingham.”

Exam board

• Edexcel 8BN0

Format

• Online learning with support from a personal tutor

Hours

• Complete at your own pace
• Approx. 120-150* hours plus time for completing assignments

*The specification suggests that 150 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments and prepare yourself for exams and some courses like English literature involve a lot of reading.  Everyone is different so it’s impossible to say with certainty how long a course will take you, but you should expect to spend longer than 150 hours. Taken across the length of time we recommend, this equates to approximately 4 hours per week. This will increase if you choose to take it over a shorter time frame or may be less if you are retaking a subject and have covered a lot of of the course content.

Assignments

• 10 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade
• 18 core practicals

Resources

• Set textbooks – included as a free ebook with your course:
• Salters-Nuffield AS/A level Biology Student Book 1, University of York Science Education Group, Pearson Education, 2015
• Salters-Nuffield A level Biology Student Book 2, University of York Science Education Group, Pearson Education, 2015

Requirements

• Maths Skills for A level Biology, J Penny, Oxford University Press, 2013
• Internet access
• Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec

Our course fees are open and honest to help you plan for any additional costs.

Your course fee includes:

• Access to learn@nec
• All the course materials you need to complete the course
• Support from a personal tutor for up to 24 months from your date of enrolment
• Assignment marking
• Marking for one past paper
• Guaranteed exam place
• Free e-book version of the essential textbooks
• NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar guide
• Time planner to help you plan your study timetable
• Information on how to apply for exams

Your course fee does not cover:

• Exam entry fees
• Additional textbooks
• Equipment for core practicals

Optional extras:

• Additional Services
• Additional past paper marking
• Revision tutorial
• Optional tutorial
• Additional review
• UCAS service

Studying science A levels by distance learning

How does practical non-examination assessment work?

Why I love biology

Two exams:

• 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of marks
• 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of marks
• The AS level exams are written, with no practical element, but throughout the exam you will be expected to use your understanding of practical theory to answer questions. You will have gained this knowledge through the 9 core practicals within your course.

Non-exam assessment (NEA):

• None

We know that our younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. In our experience learning online works best when either a parent or guardian are involved. This is why NEC has developed our unique Progress Tracker to help you to support your child.

NEC’s Progress Tracker will allow you to easily track your child’s progress across their subjects and gain insight to how well they are doing through access to their assignment grades and tutor feedback.  

Read more about how we work with young students who are studying at home or through a school.

A structured Fast Track A level course is particularly useful if you’re studying with a specific purpose in mind, like applying to university, and need your grades quickly, applying for a new job, or seeking promotion. Perhaps you’re retaking an A level and still want to apply to your chosen university?

NEC are offering structured Fast Track A levels in the following subjects:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Maths
• Physics

The flexible nature of distance learning and home study courses means that it’s possible to do this, as long as you’re able to schedule in enough study time. What’s different about our structured Fast Track A level Biology course is that it has been specifically designed to follow a carefully considered 27 week study programme, providing you with the extra support you need to gain the all important grades you require.

Enrol before 15th September to secure your place.