A Level Introduction
By choosing Biology at A level, you will be taking your first step to being a serious student of a subject which continues to have a profound effect on our lives.
The course has been designed to encourage the student to develop an essential knowledge of concepts in Biology. In addition it recognises the value of Biology to society by encouraging understanding of scientific methods and an awareness of advances in technology.
Assessment Objectives:
Students are expected to demonstrate the objectives outlined below in order to achieve success when studying A level Biology.
AO1 – Knowledge and understanding
Candidates should be able to recall and show understanding of scientific knowledge, organise and communicate information in a variety of ways.
AO2 – Application and analysis
Candidates should be able to analyse and evaluate scientific knowledge and apply it to unfamiliar situations.
AO3 – How Science Works
Candidates should be able to demonstrate and describe practical techniques and processes. They should be able to record observations and measurements with appropriate precision and analyse, interpret, explain and evaluate the methodology, results and impact of their own and others’ experimental and investigative activities.
Outline of AQA specification:
The specification builds on concepts and skills that will have been developed in the new GCSE Science specifications. It presents biology as exciting, relevant and challenging subject.
The specification presents essential principles in contexts that we know students find interesting. It will stimulate the enthusiasm of students from the start.
The specification emphasises the way in which scientists work and the contributions of science to modern society in a way that underpins the specification but is never intrusive.
Unit 1 is smaller than Unit 2 to allow more time to develop skills alongside understanding of concepts and principles.
The scheme of assessment allows for stretch and challenge.
Specification at a glance
AS Examination – 1411
Unit 1 – Biology and disease
Examination paper (100 UMS) (60 raw marks)
5 – 7 short answer questions plus 2 longer questions, a short comprehension and a short structured essay -1¼ hour
Unit 2 – The variety of living organisms
Examination paper (140 UMS) (85 raw marks)
7 – 9 short answer questions plus 2 longer questions (data handling and 1 assessing analysis and evaluation)- 1¾ hours
Unit 3 – Investigative and practical skills in AS Biology
AS Centre Assessed Unit (60 UMS) (50 raw marks)
Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) 6 marks
Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) 44 marks
A2 Examination – 2411
Unit 4 – Populations and environment
Examination paper (100 UMS) (75 raw marks)
6 – 9 short answer questions plus 2 longer questions (a short comprehension and a short structured essay) – 1½ hours
Unit 5 – Control in cells and in organisms
Examination paper (140 UMS) (100 raw marks)
8 – 10 short answer questions plus 2 longer questions (a data-handling question and a synoptic essay – choice of 1 out of 2)- 2 ¼ hours
Unit 6 – Investigative and practical skills A2 Biology
A2 Centre Assessed Unit (60 UMS) (50 raw marks)
Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) 6 marks
Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) 44 marks
If you enjoyed GCSE Biology and above all found it interesting, then A Level is for you. Think very carefully about what you want to do at University: if it is a degree in something related to the Biological Sciences then Biology is a must. If you are more inclined to the Arts and Humanities, then this will be a good way of staying in touch with the Sciences.
For further details, please contact Miss Christine Hennity, Head of Biology.
Why study GCSE biology?
This course will help you to gain some understanding of the exciting nature of biology today. It is not just about learning facts and theories, there is practical work too. You will gain skills which will be useful in a wide range of jobs or you can go on to further study in a variety of science subjects.
You will study:
Cell activity, circulation, the nervous system, hormones, homeostasis, disease, drugs, plant transport, variation inheritance and evolution, ecology, *locomotion, *feeding in other animals, *controlling disease and *applied microbiology.
* topics not covered in Dual Award Science.
You will learn:
- Biological facts and ideas which will help you to understand the world around you.
- How to plan and carry out a range of scientific investigations and to analyse the results.
- How to organize and present information clearly and use ICT.
- How to use scientific vocabulary.
- About the benefits and drawbacks of scientific and technological developments.
Assessment
There is a choice of two levels of entry — Foundation and Higher. At Foundation
level the grades available are G-C. At Higher level the grades are D-A*. Providing
you obtain at least a D grade in the Christmas mock you will be entered for the Higher level.
Coursework
This will be worth 20% of your overall result. You will carry out a single investigation after plenty of practice exercises. You will be asked to plan your own work and to analyse the results. This will give you an opportunity to show your practical skills.
Examination
You will take a single paper lasting 2 hours 15 minutes and will be made up of structured questions. All questions are compulsory. Some will need one word answers and some will need longer pieces of writing.
How do I know that biology is for me?
You could ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I enjoy biology in the U4th?
- Am I gaining good marks for homeworks and tests?
- Does my teacher think I should do GCSE?
- Am I thinking of doing Advanced Level Biology?
- Do I like lots of practical work?
- Do I like reading about medical and biological topics
- Do I like watching TV programmes about biological/ medical topics?
Are there any fieldtrips?
Various fieldtrips are planned as part of a program of Saturday activities which are of course voluntary. These include: Natural History Museum, London, animal behaviour at Chester Zoo, bird watching at Martin Mere, freshwater biology study in the Yorkshire Dales.
The most important thing about your choice of biology is that you have an interest in the subject. Hopefully this interest will lead you into advanced level in the Sixth Form having achieved a good grade at GCSE.