A Level Biology

You will already be familiar with many of the topics that you will study, including microscopy, cells, organ systems and ecology. At A-level, you’ll look at these areas in more detail and find out how they are interconnected. You will also learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems and explore new areas such as proteins and nucleic acids, biological molecules and biotechnology. Perhaps more importantly, you will develop skills that can be transferred to just about any other area of work, from learning microbiological laboratory techniques to saving the planet. Even if you don’t go on to become a biologist, learning to think like one will help you get to the root of any problem and draw connections that aren’t obvious to others. The Practical Endorsement will also support the development of practical skills

The course content includes:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology

Module 2: Foundations in biology

Module 3: Exchange and transport

Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease

Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy

Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Biology is an exam-based course. However, there is also a practical component where key practical skills are assessed and a separate practical endorsement award is presented. The exams follow a mix of formats including multiple choice, short, and longer answer questions.

The qualification is assessed through 3 written exams at the end of Year 13.

Paper 1: Biological Processes, 2hr 15 mins (37% of total)

Paper 2: Biological Diversity 2 hr 15 mins (37% of total)

Paper 3: Unified Biology 1hr 30mins (26% of total)

5 GCSE’s grade 4 and above including a grade 6,6 in Combined Science (Trilogy) Higher

or,

Grade 6 in Triple Science Biology and 6 in one other Science subject

A high passing grade in Maths and English are also required.

Veterinary science, medicine, optometry, psychology, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, sports science, microbiology, forensic science, biophysics, genetics, neuroscience, botany, zoology, ecology and biology