Biology

A Level Biology

About A Level Biology

Entry requirements: Minimum Grade 6 in Combined Science or a grade 6 in GCSE Biology for separate scientists. We would also highly recommend a grade 6 in Mathematics as 10% of the marks at A Level require the use of level 2 (Higher tier) mathematical skills.

To be successful in Biology at this level, students embarking on this course should have a real interest in the subject. They will have to commit a substantial amount of time to homework and learning. Practical work is an integral part of the course and students must be fully involved in this aspect of the course at all levels.

Course Content:

At Loreto we teach the AQA Biology specification as we believe it offers a good grounding in a range of Biological Sciences, which enables students to progress to the widest range of further education courses. The course content is delivered by two specialist teaching staff in a total of 11 lessons per fortnight.

Year 1 - The specification covers the following four areas:

1) Biological Molecules

2) Cells

3) Organisms exchange substances with their environment

4) Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

Year 2 – A Level Biology is a two year qualification which is examined on completion of the course. The specification covers the four topics listed above along with the four topics from Year 2:

5) Energy transfers in and between organisms

6) Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

7) Genetics, Populations, Evolution and Ecosystems

8) Control of gene expression

Assessment:

Assessment is via three examination papers at the end of the two year course which are a mixture of short answer, long answer, comprehension, extended response questions and an essay. Practical skills and critical analysis of data are also examined in these papers.

Higher Educations and Careers:

Biology is a versatile subject that complements many different subject combinations. Popular combinations include Biology taken with:

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Mathematics

• Geography

• Psychology

  

Such combinations can pave the way for careers in –

 

• Scientific Research                • Biotechnology                        • Psychology

• Medicine/Dentistry                 • Environmental Science          • Microbiology

• Nursing                                              • Biochemistry              • Teaching

• Forensics                                           • Food Science

• Physiotherapy                                    • Sports Science

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