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A Level Marine Science Cambridge

Marine Science supports progression onto university in degrees such as Marine Biology and Conservation. You will receive up to 56 UCAS points and expert guidance applying to Universities worldwide including the UK.
  • Awarding Body: Cambridge
  • Specification Code: 9693
  • Learning Hours: 360 Hours
  • Fast Track Available
  • Full A Level Qualification
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Enrolment Fee £395

Overview

The A Level Marine Science Online course with Learn Now follows the CIE (9693) specification and is equivalent to the qualification you would achieve if attending mainstream college. Once completed, you will obtain UCAS points which will support progression to university in degrees such as Marine Biology, Oceanography, Ecology and Conservation.

This course would suit adult learners returning to education, students resitting exams or studying alongside other commitments, and learners looking to be accepted into University.

Get 10% discount when ordering multiple A Level courses. Use the coupon code: ALEVEL10 at checkout

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Syllabus

This A Level Marine Science Course will provide a coherent and stimulating introduction to the science of the marine environment. The content of the AS part of the course concentrates on the scientific study of the sea and its ecosystems, while the Cambridge International A Level part of the course concentrates on human activities that depend on the sea and have an impact on it.

The course will foster creative thinking and problem-solving skills, which are transferable to any future career path.

The Full A Level Marine Science course has nine modules you will need to cover which is split into IAS and IA2.  The IAS Level has five modules and all of these are listed below.

IAS Modules

All matter including our oceans is made up of tiny particles.  These particles are known as atoms which join together to form molecules, ions and compounds. This topic introduces chemistry and particle theory.  You will gain an understanding of how water can exist as a solid, liquid or gas.  You will also look into the structure of the atom along with how atoms bond together through covalent and ionic bonding. This topic focuses on the water molecule where you will learn how hydrogen bonding forms and gives water unique properties.  These properties support marine life and maintain ocean conditions.

  • Particle theory and bonding
  • Solubility in water
  • Density and pressure
Earth processes shape the ocean floor, movement of sea water and formation of different marine habitats.  You will begin this chapter by exploring tectonic processes including the internal structure of the earth.  Plate tectonics are responsible for mid-ocean ridges, ocean trenches, hydrothermal vents and abyssal plains.  They are also responsible for earthquakes and tsunamis. Weathering, erosion and sedimentation are processes that shape our coastlines.  By understanding these processes you will see how different types of coastal environments form. Finally, you will look at tides and ocean currents.  Winds, temperature differences and the earth’s rotation all drive ocean currents.  Ocean currents are vital for mixing water globally and play a role in climate regulation.

  • Tectonic processes
  • Weathering, erosion and sedimentation
  • Tides and ocean currents
This unit will cover the interaction between different organisms within the marine ecosystem.  Interactions affect survival, energy transfer and nutrients. You will explore feeding relationships, producers and photosynthesis/chemosynthesis.  You will also look into processes such as upwelling, decomposition and runoff.

  • Interactions
  • Feeding relationships
  • Nutrient cycles
Classification systems are used to understand the variety of living organisms within the oceans.  This topic will cover the classification of marine organisms along with the binomial naming system. You will then cover key groups of marine organisms.  Animal groups such as echinoderms, crustaceans, bony fish and cartilaginous fish will be covered along with plankton, photosynthetic plankton and consumer plankton. You will look into biodiversity along with the benefits of marine biodiversity.  Finally, you will examine populations and sampling techniques used to study organisms.

  • The classification of marine organisms
  • Key groups of marine organisms
  • Biodiversity
  • Populations and sampling techniques
The open ocean covers the largest area of the Earth’s surface and is connected as a single global ocean.  The global ocean is divided into depth zones based on light and availability. This topic will cover tropical coral reefs and how they are formed by coral polyps living in a mutualistic relationship with photosynthetic zooxanthellae.  You will also gain an understanding of the importance of coral reefs for biodiversity, coastal protection, food supply and tourism. This topic will also cover rocky shores, sandy shores and the mangrove forest.  You will learn about the importance of protecting these ecosystems for marine life and human societies.

  • The open ocean
  • The tropical coral reef
  • The rocky shore
  • The sandy shore
  • The mangrove forest

IA2 Modules

Learners for the Cambridge International A’ Level Marine Science study BOTH A Level (below) and AS Level topics (above):-

Physiology studies how living organisms function for example, gas exchange and water balance.  In this topic you will cover cell structure along with the common features shared amongst marine organisms. You will also cover movement and substances across cell membranes along with diffusion, facilitated diffusion and osmosis. The topic will also cover gas exchange in marine organisms and osmoregulation which is how organisms control the water content of their bodies.

  • General cell structure
  • Movement of substances
  • Gas exchange
  • Osmoregulation
Energy processes such as photosynthesis, chemosynthesis and respiration support marine food webs and life processes at every level. In this topic you will learn how light energy is absorbed by pigments in chloroplasts and converted.  You will also gain an understanding of how light intensity, wavelength, carbon dioxide and temperature can limit the rate of photosynthesis. You will also cover chemosynthesis, a process where sunlight is absent.  This will show that life within our oceans is not entirely dependent on sunlight. Finally, you will cover respiration which is the process by which organisms release energy to fuel life processes.  You will cover the steps of how energy is released as ATP.

  • Photosynthesis
  • Chemosynthesis
  • Respiration
This topic will cover the life cycles of marine organisms.  Many marine animals have complex life cycles whereas mammals have simpler life cycles.  You will cover metamorphosis, larval stages and the difference between sessile and non-sessile organisms. You will then look into sustainable fisheries and why it is important to manage fish stocks carefully. Finally, you will look at marine aquaculture.  This is where marine organisms are grown within controlled systems.

  • Life cycles
  • Sustainable fisheries
  • Marine aquaculture
Human activities such as pollution, resource extraction and changes to the atmosphere have an influence on the oceans.  This topic will cover the ecological impacts of human activities.  You will also cover bioaccumulation and biomagnification of toxins such as heavy metals, which can cause long-term damage to marine ecosystems. Other parts to this topic include global warming, ocean acidification and marine conservation.

  • Ecological impacts of human activities
  • Global warming and its impact
  • Ocean acidification
  • Conservation of marine ecosystems

What can I do with an A level in Marine Science?

The skills you gain from the Advanced Level in Marine Science will provide a suitable foundation for the study of Marine Biology or Environmental Science or related courses in higher education.

Equally it is suitable for students intending to pursue careers or further study in Fisheries, Shipping, Tourism or Aquaculture, or as part of a course of general education.

Previous Knowledge Required

There are no previous entry requirements for this course, however students are expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy. 

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 24 months from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor.

Enrolment Fees

Our Enrolment fee for this course is noted at the top of this page where you can enrol directly onto the course.  This fee includes access to your course including tutor support for 2 years.

Our enrolment fee includes:

  • All study materials covering the full specification.
  • Full support where you can also message your tutor as many times as you need to.
  • Access to our online Library with a full range of eBooks.
  • Help completing university applications including UCAS and The Common Application.
  • Reference and predicted grade for University.
  • Assignment marking and feedback
  • Marked and graded practise examination papers
  • Eligibility for a Totum Card if you reside within the UK
  • Fast Track A Level if required and flexible learning from home 24/7.

The only other fee you will need to pay is for your exams which is due approximately six months prior and this will be paid directly to the exam centre.

Assessments

Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations/practicals at CIE approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.

A Level Exams
There are four exams for the full A Level qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:

  • Paper 1 – 1 hour 45 min
  • Paper 2 – 1 hour 45 min
  • Paper 3 – 1 hour 45 min
  • Paper 4 – 1 hour 45 min

Paper 1 Paper 1 Paper 1 Exam Paper 4 A Level Qualification

AS Level Exams
There are two exams for the AS Level qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:

  • Paper 1 – 1 hour 45 min
  • Paper 2 – 1 hour 45 min

Paper 1 Paper 1 IAS Exams

For Cambridge International AS & A Level Marine Science, learners can:

  • take Papers 1 and 2 only (for the Cambridge International AS Level qualification) or
  • follow a staged assessment route by taking Papers 1 and 2 (for the Cambridge International AS Level qualification) in one series, then Papers 3 and 4 (for the Cambridge International A Level qualification) in a later series or
  • take Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the same examination series, leading to the full Cambridge International A Level.

A Level Marine Science Online Course Outcome

On successful completion of all your exams, you will be awarded one of the following qualifications:

International A Level in Marine Science with CIE | International AS Level in Marine Science with CIE.

See Cambridge for more information on the specification.

Still unsure? Look through our FAQs

Marine Science is essentially a mix of chemistry, biology, environmental science and geography.  You will need to understand processes such as photosynthesis, osmoregulation and global warming.  There will be some questions surrounding a dichotomous key, calculating population size and interpreting absorption spectra.  If you enjoy biology and ecosystems, this course should be no problem for you.

You will not be required to purchase any books with this course.  We automatically include logins to our online e-Library which includes access to following eBook(s):

Cambridge International AS & A Level Marine Science – Matthew Parkin (Cambridge University Press)

Not see the book you are looking for? Ask us and we will let you know if we have it!

Good subject combinations to take alongside Marine Science include:

A Level Biology, Chemistry and Geography – These subjects all overlap with Marine Science and therefore will only improve your knowledge in certain areas.  By doing so, you will have a good foundation for studying the rest of these A Levels.

Cambridge International A Level Marine Science can be taken outside the UK as well as within the UK.  Cambridge provide global recognition for their A Level qualifications and are recognised by universities.

At the end of this course you will receive an Internationally recognised qualification which will allow you to apply a university situated anywhere in the world.

AS and A levels are standalone qualifications, however the Full A Level carries more UCAS points than the AS Level.  It also requires more study hours as follows:

  • AS Level = 180 hours
  • A Level = 360 hours
You will see the difference in the content above under ‘syllabus’ but you can also refer to our article on ‘what is as level’ for more information.

You will receive access and support for two years, however you can complete it much sooner if you want to.  Exams for this subject fall in May/June and October/November each year and therefore you are able to choose which exam sitting you want to apply for.  We have more information on exam timetables here.

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