A Level Biology

The aims of this course are to encourage students to:

Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for biology, including developing an interest in further study and careers in biology.

Appreciate how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.

Develop and demonstrate a deeper appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of How Science Works.

Develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of biology and how they relate to each other.

Students will study 6 modules:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination

• Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2: Foundations in biology

• Cell structure

• Biological molecules

• Nucleotides and nucleic acids

• Enzymes

• Biological membranes

• Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation

Module 3: Exchange and transport

• Exchange surfaces

• Transport in animals

• Transport in plants

Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease

• Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system

• Biodiversity

• Classification and evolution

Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy

• Communication and homeostasis

• Excretion as an example of homeostatic control

• Neuronal communication

• Hormonal communication

• Plant and animal responses

• Photosynthesis

• Respiration

Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

• Cellular control

• Patterns of inheritance

• Manipulating genomes

• Cloning and biotechnology

• Ecosystems

• Populations and sustainability

Assessment is by written examination (please see table below). The development of practical skills also plays a significant role in the course and will be assessed through written examinations and the practical endorsement that will be graded as a pass or fail.

5 GCSEs grade 5 or above, two of which must be Maths and English. Must have grade 6s or above in combined Science GCSEs or Biology GCSE plus one other science subject.