Course Specific Entry Requirements:
High level 6 in Science and level 6 in Maths.
Course Content:
Year 1 Units:
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Skills of planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation
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Cell structure; Biological molecules; Nucleotides and nucleic acids; Enzymes; Biological membranes; Cell division; cell diversity and cellular organisation
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Exchange surfaces; Transport in animals; Transport in plants
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Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system; Biodiversity; Classification and evolution
Year 2 Units:
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Communication and homeostasis; Excretion as an example of homeostatic control; Neuronal communication; Hormonal communication; Plant and animal responses; Photosynthesis; Respiration
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Cellular control; Patterns of inheritance; Manipulating genomes; Cloning and biotechnology; Ecosystems; Populations and sustainability
First Year Assessment
Paper 1: Breadth in biology
Contributes 50% to the final AS grade
Written examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes
Multiple choice and structured questions
Paper 2: Depth in biology
Contributes 50% to the final AS grade
Written examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes
Structured and extended response questions
Second Year Assessment
Paper 1: Biological processes
Contributes 37% to the A level grade
Written examination lasts 2 hours 15 minutes
Multiple choice, structured, and extended response questions
Paper 2: Biological diversity
Contributes 37% to the A level grade
Written examination lasts 2 hours 15 minutes
Multiple choice, structured, and extended response questions
Paper 3: Unified biology
Contributes 26% to the A level grade
Written examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes
Structured and extended response questions
Non-exam assessment: Practical endorsement for biology
Teacher assessment of practical skills relevant to biology
Progression into careers via:
Biology students progress to a broad variety of career areas because of the range of skills and knowledge they gain. Career choices include: medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, radiography, forensic science, nursing, marine biology, pharmaceuticals (biological chemical industry), environmental management, teaching, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, and genetic research.
Length of Course:
AS : 1 year A2 : 2 years
Examination Board:
OCR
Periods Per Week:
5 x 1 hour lessons