A Level Biology
Science and Mathematics
What will you be working towards?
| Alternative Title | Biology A level |
| Code | BY |
| Qualification Type | GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent |
| Qualification Level | Level 3 |
| Course type | Full Time |
Overview
Love life, love Biology: it's the study of all life's forms.
Apart from its value as a way of gaining entry to certain careers and courses, we believe that Biology is a fascinating subject in its own right and one that we hope students enjoy studying. Biology has a higher profile today than perhaps at any other time and this is reflected in the number of people studying a biology-based course at college and university.
Many of the important and often contentious issues which society must address relate to the biological sciences, particularly the role that humankind plays with respect (or lack of it!) to the rest of life.
Ethical debates centre around animal experimentation, cloning, stem cells, genetically modified organisms, embryo and fertility research, and the human genome project and the use of its findings. High on the political agenda are health, pollution, environmental protection and food security.
Infectious disease, heart disease, cancer, drug use and misuse, antibiotic resistance and malnutrition all continue to present us with challenges, for which the study of Biology is the first step to understanding.
“The Biology department is really friendly and happy to help. Due to the lunchtime talks I feel part of a cohort, not just my class.” FLORA, Biology student
Details
- Cell structure; Biological molecules
- Nucleotides and nucleic acids
- Enzymes; Biological membranes
- Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation; Exchange surfaces
- Transport in animals, Transport in plants, Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
- Biodiversity
- Classification and evolution
- Communication and homeostasis; Excretion as an example of homeostatic control
- Neuronal communication
- Hormonal communication
- Plant and animal responses
- Photosynthesis; Respiration
- Cellular control
- Patterns of inheritance
- Manipulating genomes
- Cloning and biotechnology
- Ecosystems
- Populations and sustainability
How will it be delivered?
Entry requirements
Your next steps...
A level biology provides a strong foundation for further study and a career in any area of the life sciences including biomedical science, plant science, ecology, environmental science, conservation, biochemistry, physiology, biophysics, neuroscience, immunology, computational biology, genetics, developmental biology, and evolutionary biology. Some of these areas are also supported by other subjects and if you are interested in these then maybe chemistry, geography, physics or computing would be a good choice alongside biology.