Biology

Before reading about Biology, please refer to the introductory section, Science

Biology at AS and A2 level will enable students to acquire a systematic body of biological knowledge and an appreciation of its significance. It is a subject that can provide great enjoyment and respect for all things living. This course develops many of the topics students may have already studied and introduces some of the exciting areas of Biology in the contemporary world. Students may study, for example, the influence that genes have on our development, new gene & biotechnologies, environmental issues and aspects of human health. Biology is a practical science subject so students will develop experimental skills and an understanding of the scientific method. It is hoped that this course will help students gain some understanding of the dynamic and exciting nature of biology today, and an awareness of the ethical, technological and economic aspects of the subject. Assessment of the AS and A2 Biology course is by examination and laboratory based practical tasks.

Minimum entry requirements

Either GCSE Biology grade B or GCSE Core and Additional Science grades BB in addition to GCSE Mathematics grade C.

Course Structure

Biology is a modular course with 6 Units of Assessment:  To get an AS certificate students will need to have studied and been assessed on three compulsory AS units; two of which are currently examined in January and June of the Lower Sixth, with the third being assessed as a laboratory based coursework assignment.

To get a certificate for A level students will need to have studied and been assessed on the three AS units plus three further A2 units. The structure of units in the Upper Sixth is the same as the AS units – two examination based and one practical skills assessment.

 

Unit	Level	Name of Unit and Outline Specification Content
F211	AS	Cells, Exchange & Transport  Cells – Structure, membranes, division, diversity & organisation. Exchange & Transport – Exchange surfaces, breathing, transport in animals & plants.
F212	AS	Molecules, Biodiversity, Food & Health Biological Molecules – Enzymes, biological molecules, nucleic acids. Food & Health – Diet, food production, health & disease. Biodiversity & Evolution – Biodiversity, classification, evolution, conserving biodiversity.
F213	AS	Practical Skills in Biology

 

F214	A2	Communication, Homeostasis & Energy Communication & Homeostasis – Nerves & Hormones Excretion Photosynthesis Respiration
F215	A2	Control, Genomes & Environment Cellular Control, Variation (including Meiosis) Biotechnologies & Gene Technologies (including Cloning) Ecosystems & Sustainability Responding to the Environment (including Animal Behaviour)
F216	A2	Practical Skills in Biology

Career Opportunities

The careers open to biologists range from pure and applied biology, teaching, medically orientated professions (including medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and nursing), environmental areas (including forestry, agriculture, marine biology and conservation) to working in industry (food, water, pharmaceutical etc), or national and local government (environmental health, land use or planning). Other higher education courses where biology is considered favorably include law, accountancy, business orientated courses, forensics and psychology.

Introductory Reading

OCR Biology AS (Heinemann) provides an excellent introduction to Biology in the Sixth Form. There are also some interesting articles in back copies of Biological Sciences Review magazine, which are available from the Biology Department. New Scientist provides fascinating information on current scientific issues.