Biology - AQA

WHY SHOULD I STUDY A LEVEL BIOLOGY?

Biology literally means the study of life and if that’s not important, what is? Being such a broad subject, you are bound to find specific areas of interest, plus it opens the door to a fantastic range of interesting careers.

We are a huge and thriving department with excellent facilities. You will carry out practical activities including using microscopes to see cell division, dissection of animal or plant systems, aseptic technique to study microbial growth, investigating activity within cells and investigating animal behaviours. But not all learning will take place in a laboratory.

You will take part in a trip to Colchester Zoo to learn about Classification and Biodiversity. At the start of the second year of the biology course, students go on an ecological field trip to Highwoods Country Park to investigate the distribution of organisms in the environment.

We have very good links with universities of Essex and Suffolk. Members of their Biology departments come to speak to our biology students about their research work, as well as Biology related careers and degree courses.

Some of Biology students will also take the opportunity to join the DDV (Doctors, Dentists, & Vets) programme or pursue a related Extended Project qualification in a topic related to their intended career. There is also an opportunity in the first year to take part in the Biology Olympiad to support your A level Biology studies. Biology gives you all sorts of exciting career options, including: doctor, dentist, molecular geneticist, nature conservation officer, pharmacologist, research scientist, vet, science teacher and marine biologist.

COURSE CONTENT (AQA)

The first year consists of four topics:

• Biological molecules – structure and biological significance of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (fats/oils), nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) and water.
• Cells – Structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their function.
• Organisms exchange substances with their environment – gas exchange, digestion and circulation in organisms.
• Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms – functioning of the genetic code.

The second year of the course consists of a further four topics:

• Energy transfers in and between organisms – photosynthesis, respiration, energy flow and nutrient cycles.
• Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments – stimuli and response, nervous system, skeletal system and homeostasis.
• Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems – inheritance, populations, ecosystems and evolution.
• The control of gene expression – mutations, regulation of gene expressions, cancer, genome project, genetic engineering, DNA analysis and genetic fingerprinting.

PROGRESSION ONTO YEAR 2

Progression to the second year of the A Level depends on satisfactory progress in the first year, including achieving at least an E grade in the Year One formal assessment and maintaining good attendance and commitment.

These practical activities will give you the skills and confidence needed to investigate the way living things behave and work. It will also ensure that if you choose to study a Biology based subject at university, you will be prepared.

FINAL ASSESSMENT IS AT THE END OF YEAR 2:

Three written examination papers are taken at the end of the second year.

MINIMUM ENTRY CRITERIA 

Standard College entry requirements (see page 16 of the prospectus) and a minimum of:

Please note that GCSE Applied Science or Level 2 BTEC Science qualifications are not acceptable as alternative GCSE science qualifications for A Level Biology.

Core Mathematics (Mathematical Studies) is a complementary course to this subject and is strongly recommended as a further course choice if not taking A Level Mathematics or A Level Statistics options.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students will need a scientific calculator. All students will have access to the AQA A level Biology course textbook via an on-line e-book with associated learning resources. Any student concerned about affordability should speak to the department to see what support is available.