Biology - A Level

"I like the way Biology is related to real life situations.”

Entry Requirements

Two GCSEs at grade 4 plus grade 6 in Maths and grade 6 in Science

Subject Intent

The biology curriculum is designed to develop learner’s knowledge and understanding of different areas of biology and how they relate to each other. The organisation and sequencing allow learners to:

• develop and demonstrate an appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods used within biology.
• expand their competence and confidence in a variety of practical, experimental, and investigative approaches in biology, including microscopy, enzyme kinetics, dissections and ecological fieldwork.
• develop mathematical and problem-solving skills, including formula manipulation, use of percentages and ratios.
• grow their interest in and enthusiasm for biology, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject.

Course Introduction

If you enjoyed GCSE Biology, then the A Level is a great choice for you. The course is designed to progressively build on your GCSE biology knowledge, help you appreciate structure and function relations in biology, deepen and broaden your understanding of key biological principles, and develop your confidence to apply these principles to new situations.

The course content that you will study is broad but interesting and includes enzymes and biological reactions, classification and biodiversity, human impact on the environment, and inheritance, variation and evolution. We also look at microbiology, population size and ecosystems, and the nervous system.

A Level Biology has a strong emphasis on developing practical experimental techniques including on plant and animal dissection, microscopic examination of tissues and structures, and biological investigations. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of laboratory experience as we will teach you all of the practical techniques that you need to know.

Studying Biology helps you to develop problem solving, analytical and research skills and is a key requirement for many careers including environmental science, medicine and zoology.

Course Modules

First Year

• Chemical elements and biological compounds: this topic develops your understanding of structure and function of biologically important molecules.

• Cells structure and organisation: a more in-depth look at the structure and functions of plant, bacterial and animal cells.

• Cell membranes and transport: how do cells control which substances move in and out of the cells.

• Enzymes and biological reactions: how enzymes work as catalysts and the factors that affect how they work.

• Nucleic acids and their functions: the structure of DNA, how this codes for your genes and how this genetic information is copied and translated into proteins.

• The cell and cell cycle: exploring the factors which control how and when cells divide.

• Classification and biodiversity: how to define a species and how and why some species are threatened by extinction.

• Adaptations for gas exchange: examining your respiratory system

• Adaptations for transport in animals: the structure of the heart and blood vessels, ECG and the control of heartbeat compared to equivalent structures in fish and insects.

• Adaptations for transport in plants: how the plant transport systems work.

• Adaptations for nutrition: you are what you eat, or so they say: in this topic we will find out just how true or otherwise this is.

Second Year

• Importance of ATP, photosynthesis and respiration: how ATP is made in plants and animals.

• Microbiology: discover how we classify bacteria and learn how to use aseptic technique to grow and culture bacteria safely.

• Population size and ecosystems: the living and non-living factors that affect how plant and animal populations grow and change over time.

• Human impact on the environment: how species become endangered and extinct, how farming practices, fishing, deforestation and conservation is affect the environment.

• Sexual reproduction in humans and plants: learn about the structure of male and female reproductive systems and compare this to plant pollination and how seeds germinate and grow.

• Inheritance, Variation and evolution: Looking at genes, the environment, and natural selection

• Application of reproduction and genetics: DNA sequencing and profiling, recombinant DNA technology, gene therapy, and therapeutic uses of stem cells.

• Homeostasis and the kidney:  the central role of the kidney in excretion and in regulating water and salt content in body fluids.

• The nervous system: The brain spinal cord are studied, as is a reflex arc and the effect of drugs on the nervous system.

Assessment

First Year

The course is assessed by 2 examinations at the end of the first year, which involve short answer questions to test knowledge, understanding and your ability to apply these. Investigative and practical skills are developed throughout the course and assessed. For those taking the 2 year course these will be internally assessed.

Second Year

The course is assessed by 3 examinations at the end of the second year, covering biology studied during both years of the course. There is also a separate practical skills certificate.

Course Fact

The context nature of the course is highly relevant to medically related careers

Example Career Opportunities

Doctor | Biological Technician | Geneticist | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | Biochemist | Teacher
Zoologist | Veterinarian | Optician, Microbiologist

Pathways

Pathways 2