GCSE Geography
Edexcel Specification B - Course code : 2GB01

This specification comprises 2 major concepts: Dynamic Planet (physical geography) and People and the Planet (human geography). The course is studied over 2 years and is assessed by 3 exams plus fieldwork (a teacher led investigation written up by the student and submitted by 5 May of the second year).
Entry Requirements
This course is well suited to students who:
- are good independent learners
- have a keen interest in current affairs and the world around them
- can apply cross-curricular skills like maths, science and English to other subject areas
- enjoy fieldwork
Method of Assessment
For Paper 1 students will study 6 topics: restless earth, climate and change, battle for the biosphere, water world, coastal change and conflict and oceans on the edge. Exam = one hour and is worth 25% of the total marks.
For Paper 2 students will study 6 topics: population dynamics, consuming resources, living spaces, making a living, changing cities, and development dilemmas. Exam = 1 hour and is worth 25% of the total marks.
For Paper 3 students will complete a one hour, 50 mark decision making exercise based on material released by the exam board in the February prior to the June exam. The title for June 2011 is, `The problems and prospects for Scotland's fishing communities'.
Fieldwork (Paper 4) is a teacher led geographical investigation at a local/small scale of approx 2500 words = 25% of the total marks, based on a title selected from a range of themes provided by the exam board.
Exams can be sat at the Foundation (G - C) or Higher (D - A*) level.
Future opportunities
This course prepares students for the AS/A2 geography specification and subsequent university entrance or a career in such areas urban planning and landscape management. It is a highly regarded GCSE qualification in its own right and is part of the new English Baccalaureate.