Biology

A Level Biology encourages students to develop an essential knowledge and understanding of many concepts in Biology. The course covers 6 modules and includes topics such as Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease and Genetics as well as developing practical skills. The scheme of assessment detailed below has a linear structure and is examined in June only at the end of the two years.

What are the aims of this course?

A level biology students will develop essential knowledge and understanding of concepts in biology, and the skills needed to use them in new and changing situations. You will learn to:

• Develop an understanding of scientific methods;
• Be aware of advances in technology, including information technology. relevant to biology;
• Recognise the value and responsible use of biology in society;
• Sustain and develop your enjoyment of, and interest in, biology.

The Biology team at Brookvale Groby Learning campus are a dynamic and enthusiastic team. We are a very supportive bunch and always on offer to give you a helping hand. Weekly ‘Biology Surgery’ sessions take place to support students requiring additional help. Students can bring homework or class work to these sessions and Biology teachers will be on hand to help.

Biology is not an easy subject and to be successful you will have to work hard. We hope you find the course enjoyable and rewarding.

The following is a summary of subject content:

Module 1: Development of Practical Skills in Biology

Skills of planning, implementing and evaluation. This covers the practical skills that students develop throughout the course. Assessed via written examinations, this module underpins the entire specification.

Module 2: Foundations in Biology

Covers concepts required throughout the remaining modules. Includes Cell Structure, Biological molecules, nucleotides and nucleic acids, Enzymes, Biological membranes, Cell diversity and cellular organisation.

Module 3: Exchange and Transport

Exchange surfaces, Transport in animals, transport in plants.

Module 4: Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease

Includes: Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system. Biodiversity, classification and evolution.

Module 5: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy

Homeostasis, neuronal and hormonal communication, plant and animal responses. Photosynthesis, Respiration, Excretion.

Module 6: Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems

Cellular control and inheritance, manipulating genomes, biotechnology, cloning and populations.

In addition A level biology should encourage students to:

Show knowledge and understanding of the facts, principles and concepts from different areas of biology and to make and use connections between them.

Modules 1-6 combined with the Practical Endorsement constitute the full A-Level.

Paper 1 - Biological Processes 2h 15 minutes 37%

Paper 2 - Biological Diversity 2h 15 minutes 37%

Paper 3—Unified Biology 1h 30 minutes 26%

Non Exam Teacher Assessed Practical Endorsement for Biology Pass/Fail. Reported separately

Overall Entry Requirements:

6 GCSE's at grade 4 or above including an English and Maths.

Course Specific Entry Requirements:

GCSE grade 6+6 from Combined Science and grade 5 in Maths or Grade 6 in Biology and Chemistry and a grade 5 in Maths.

The biology course covers a wide range of material and is good preparation for anybody wishing to study Biology, or related subjects to a higher level. The course has many links with Chemistry, PE and Psychology.