Biology A Level

AQA A Level Biology

During this two year course students will develop and demonstrate a variety of experimental techniques including: serial dilutions, the use of a colorimeter, microscope work, microbiological aseptic techniques and ecological investigations.

Throughout the course, students will study the following topics:

• Biological molecules

• Cells

• How organisms exchange substances with their environment

• Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

• Energy transfers in and between organisms

• How organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

• Genetics, population, evolution and ecosystems

• The control of gene expression

Paper 1 - 35%

• Biological molecules

• Cells

• How organisms exchange substances with their environment

• Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

Paper 2 - 35%

• Energy transfers in and between organisms

• How organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

• Genetics, population, evolution and ecosystems

• The control of gene expression

Paper 3 - 30%

• Content from the whole course

Practical skills are assessed in the written papers and there is a 25 mark essay.

A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 9 – 4. This MUST include:

• English Language Grade 5 OR

• English Literature Grade 5 AND English Language Grade 4

Plus

Grade 6 in Biology OR Grade 6-6 in Combined Science

AND Grade 5 in Maths (or above – 6 preferred – student would be required to take Core Maths or Maths A Level alongside Biology if they achieved a 5 in GCSE Maths)

Students who study Biology will develop research, problem solving and analytical skills. Students will also gain practical skills from experiments throughout the course. The Biology A Level can lead to a university degree in any of the Biological Sciences, from Aquaculture to Zoology, and is often a requirement of health related degrees including Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Sciences.