Is Biology for you?•
biologyExam Board: OCRBiology - AS/A2
Biology is often described as the
‘Science of Life’.
How did the incredible variety of
organisms on the planet evolve?
What is stem cell research and why is it
important?
You are fascinated by the natural world.
You like combining investigation, collecting and
analysing data, problem solving, practical skills
and socially relevant content.
Biology at A-Level could be essential if you want a
career in health and clinical professions.
Biology provides a useful complement to other
subjects including other Science subjects, Sports
studies and Maths.
You may wish to consider studying AS/A2 Maths,
AS Use of Maths or AS/A2 Statistics alongside this
subject to help you develop the necessary
mathematical skills required to study Biology.
It involves the study of a wide range of
exciting topics, ranging from molecular
biology to the study of ecosystems and
from microorganisms to mammoths.
You need to have achieved at least 5 GCSEs at
grade C or above, including at least a GCSE grade
BB in Double Award Science or a GCSE grade B in
Biology and at least one other Science. You will
also need at least a grade C in GCSE Maths.
Biology is never far from the headlines.
What will I learn?
How will I be
assessed?What activities can I get involved in?
The College has lots of exciting enrichment and C.V
building opportunities including the chance to earn the
Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, learn a new skill, learn a
language, join a club, take up or develop a sport or take on
a new challenge. See the College Prospectus for further
information about what is on offer.
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tel: 0151 652 5575 email: [email protected] more from your sixth form
bsfc.ac.uk
Where does it lead?
There are opportunities for visits to interesting and
relevant places and exhibitions which bring classroom
learning to life. This has included a trip to the ‘Bodies’
exhibition – a unique fusion of anatomy, science and
art – and also the Nowgen centre in Manchester
where students learn firsthand about developments in
biomedical science and have the opportunity to
participate in hands-on workshops. Some of our
students on the course have also had the opportunity
to take part in a Villiers Park residential course which
has helped to inspire and challenge them to consider
studying Biological Sciences further.
Cells, Exchange and Transport
AS Year
Molecules, Biodiversity,
Food and Health
A2 Year
You will study cells as the basic units of all living
things: how they communicate, divide and
become specialised to their function. You will also
develop an understanding of how the heart and
lungs are adapted for their functions and how
oxygen and nutrients are transported around the
body. Similarly you will examine the transport
systems found in plants.
You will discover the key biological molecules and
develop an understanding of their importance in
living organisms. You will also learn about diet
and enzymes, diseases and their control by the
immune system. You will also consider evolution
and how it has generated such a wide variety of
organisms.
Practical Skills
Throughout the course your practical skills will be
assessed by a series of qualitative, quantitative
and evaluative practical assessments. This will
contribute 20% towards your final AS mark (10%
of the overall A-level).
Practical Skills
This unit includes another series of practical
assessments contributing 20% to the A2 marks
(10% of overall A-level).
Communication, Homeostasis
and Energy
You will learn how organisms respond to changes
in their environment and the importance of
hormones and the nervous system in these
responses. This will involve learning about the key
features and functions of the liver, kidneys and
pancreas. This unit also allows you to further
develop your understanding of the fundamental
processes of photosynthesis and respiration.
You will discover how genes control the way in
which cells function. You will develop this by
studying how changes within genes lead to
variation, how variation provides the raw material
for evolution and how animal behaviour enhances
survival. You will also learn how ecosystems work
and how to manage them for sustainability and
conservation.
Control, Genomes and Environment
Most of your work (80%) will be assessed through
written exams at the end of the AS and A2 years.
Practical work (contributing 20% to your overall grade)
will be assessed through a series of practical activities
completed during lessons.
Students who study Biology A-Level gain many
transferable skills, including scientific method,
problem solving, data analysis and practical skills.
There are many careers for which Biology is either
essential or very useful. These include medicine,
nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, health education,
veterinary science, zoology, agriculture, pharmacy,
pharmacology, bio-chemistry, PE, Psychology,
speech therapy, forestry, biotechnology, food
science, microbiology, laboratory work, radiography
and teaching.