Biology - A Level

Biology is the fastest growing and most popular Science. It has been at the forefront in protecting the environment and in the leading developments in agriculture and health.

The course allows students to see the impact of Biology on their daily lives and helps them make informed decisions as we move into the twenty first century. The course moves from the microscopic to the whole-planet view of living organisms. It touches on all the major biological disciplines with the emphasis on applied knowledge.

The A Level qualification is made up of 3 examinations, which are all taken at the end of the two year course.

• The Natural Environment and Species Survival worth 33% (2 hr written exam) covering components 1,2 and 3. 
• Energy, Exercise and Co-ordination worth 33% (2hr written exam) covering components 1, 2 and 4. 
• Synoptic paper called General and Practical Appli­cations in Biology worth 33% (2hr written exam) covering all four theory compo­nents.

In addition, at A Level, a record is produced of the student’s observed practical skills as either Pass or Fail; this is recorded in the certificate but does not contribute to the overall grade. The A Level is made up of 4 compulsory theory components.

• Component 1 – Lifestyles, Transport, Genes and Health 
• Component 2 – Development, Plants and the Environment 
• Component 3 – The Natural Environ­ment and Species Survival  Component 4 – Energy, Exercise and Co-ordination.

Students will enjoy this course and be successful if they:

• Have a genuine interest in the living world 
• Are committed and work hard 
• Enjoy researching new ideas 
• Have good problem solving and communication skills

Students should be good at problem solving and working with numbers.

The Biology course is 100% exam based, although the A Level requires a Scientific Practical Endorsement. The exam board for this A Level is Pearson Edexcel.

Course Specific Trips & Visits

The College runs a number of educational experiences each year to enable students to contextualise their learning. These experiences include trips and presenta­tions by visiting speakers.

It is expected that students will be engaged in study for at least 5 hours per week outside the classroom. As part of their studies all students take part in field­work with a residential fieldtrip (approxi­mate cost £300).

Students wishing to include A Levels in their programme need to have (or expect to achieve) at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English at grade 6 and mathematics at grade 7.

• Grade 7 in Core and Additional Science or a Grade 7 in Biology, if taken.