Board: OCR
Syllabus: AS LEVEL (H087), A LEVEL (H487)
About the subject
Geology covers work done for Geography at GCSE and Science. Topics include earthquakes, hazards, volcanoes, glaciations, hydrology and river systems. The AS course contains work that will help with AS Geography and Environmental Studies.
The work is about a third practical work. This involves studying rocks and minerals.
Students take a short practical exam during the year and a final practical exam at the end of the course. These two exams are worth 10% of the AS grade. Fieldwork is a key component of the AS and A2 work. Students will have the opportunity to visit Jersey, Iceland and Santorini, Greece. Trips are optional. A range of day trips is also offered to allow students to carry out coursework fieldwork.
Students should have an interest in the natural world, especially the physical aspects of the planet. A key aspect of the course is that students learn new study skills. Teaching will include a variety of styles that at first will seem strange and difficult to relate to. Independent learning using research on the internet plays a key part in the learning process.
Learning styles
Lessons will vary from GCSE learning. Research assignments will be set every week. Students must learn time management skills.
Practical work will run every week. Notes will be recorded in a notebook. Videos and interactive whiteboard will present a wide range of data to students in a challenging way.
GCSE Maths concepts will be used to a basic level.
Subject Combinations and Progression
Good combinations would be Geography, Environmental Studies, Physics and Biology. If students are intending to follow a career in Geology they should study 2 science courses in the second year.
Subject Modules and Assessment
AS Level Module F791 can be taken in January of the first year. F792 taken in June.
Modules
In January students sit Global Tectonics Module worth 15% of the AS grade.
In June students sit Rock Processes Module which is worth 25% of the AS grade.
In the second year programme, students take Environmental Geology Module in January, which is worth 15% of the A2 grade. In June they take Evolution of Life, Earth and Climate Module which is worth 25% of the A2 grade.
There are two short practical exams taken during the year which are worth 10% of the final grade.
Entry requirements
GCSE Core and Assitional Science BB preferred.