COURSE DETAILS – Teaching and learning follows a developmental approach using the OCR A Specification. This approach begins with links from GCSE to year-1 and then year-2. With knowledge being built upon previous understanding and reinforced with core practicals. Support sessions are run frequently between the department on a designated lunchtime.
Three exams spread over 6 hours of assessment
Topics students will cover are cells, microscopes, plants and photosynthesis, animals and respiration, disease, evolution, ecology and genetics.
ASSESSMENT – Topics will be assessed by three written examination papers. Papers will consist of multiple choice questions, shorter structured questions that will be designed to test mainly knowledge and understanding of the specification content of the particular topics. Longer questions will also test skills of interpretation and evaluation of data or information related to the content of the particular topics. Students may be required to apply their knowledge and understanding of biology to situations that they have not seen before.
Also included will be synoptic questions that may draw on knowledge and understanding across the different topics studied. For example, a question could ask students to compare nerve impulses with hormonal messages using examples from any topic covered.
The paper will include questions that assess conceptual and theoretical understanding of experimental methods (indirect practical skills) that will draw on students’ experiences of the core practicals.
The course includes the development of practical skills in biology.
This non exam assessment will give students opportunities to use relevant apparatus and techniques to develop and demonstrate specific practical skills. These skills must be assessed through a minimum of 9 identified practical activities within the course. Students must show practical competency by completing a number of core practicals throughout the course.
A level biology is suitable for students who:
have an interest in, and enjoy biology;
want to find out about how things in the biological world work;
enjoy applying their mind to explaining everyday responses;
enjoy carrying out practicals to develop their skills and understanding further;
have preferably achieved a 6 grade or better in combined science or biology and
in mathematics and English at Level 2 GCSE.
CAREERS – Biology leads on to a wide range of courses and careers. You could go on to use Biology to support other qualifications or progress onto further studies or employment. This could be:
- from a Higher National programme to degree level;
- courses ranging from Applied Biology, Pharmacology, Medicine to Biotechnology; Biochemical Engineering and related programmes;
- employment in the area of horticulture, and biotechnology as possible examples.
In fact Biology is recognised as a facilitating qualification for a wide range of Higher Education courses and employment. Allowing you to aim for the best courses in this country and abroad.