Biology
Course Outline
There is no coursework in this course. However, your performance during practical activities will be assessed. There are three exams at the end of the two years for A-level, all of which are two hours long. At least 15% of the marks for A-level Biology are based on what you learned in your practical work.
Exam Board: AQA
Entry Requirements
Grade 6 GCSE Biology or Grade 6-6 Combined Science.
Grade 5 GCSE Mathematics.
You should have an interest in the study of living things and be prepared to participate in the annual field visit.
Programme of Study
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Year 1 · Biological molecules · Cells · Organisms exchange substances with their environment · Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms |
Year 2 · Energy transfers in and between organisms · Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments · Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems · The control of gene expression
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Practical
Biology, like all sciences, is a practical subject. Throughout the course, you will carry out practical activities including:
- using microscopes to see cell division
- dissection of animal or plant systems
- aseptic technique to study microbial growth
- investigating activity within cells
- investigating animal behaviours
- investigating distributions of species in the environment
These practical activities will give you the skills and confidence needed to investigate the way living things behave and work. It will also ensure that if you choose to study a biology-based subject at university or enter STEM-based employment, you will have mastery of the necessary practical competencies.
Progression Opportunities
Biology is necessary (or highly advantageous) for progression in many areas, including medical sciences, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiography, sports science, veterinary science or any of the biosciences.