Biology AS / A Level

Summary: Biology is the study of life. On this course you will gain technical skills as well as considering the principles of biological systems.








Course description: Biology is the study of life including you and all other living organisms, from the molecular level right through to entire ecosystems.
Essential principles are taught in the context of today’s themes and issues, such as how our actions enhance the antibiotic resistance of bacteria and studying lifestyle factors that increase the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Humans are part of the ecological balance and their actions affect it both directly and indirectly. Should we try to prevent malaria by breeding and releasing mosquitoes that carry a gene that is lethal for their offspring, or cull harriers to increase the survival of red grouse chicks?
In the AS year, the main areas of study are:

Biology and disease

Variety of living organisms
In the A2 year, the main areas of study are:

Populations and environment

Control in cells and organisms
The course combines detailed theoretical knowledge with practical research including laboratory work, interpreting data to solve scientific problems and writing in a scientific way. The course includes field studies to Holkham and Anglesey in Wales.
Biology is challenging, not only because of the content that is covered, but also in the scientific skills you will need to develop, such as in practical work and interpreting data. You will also need to understand chemical processes within organisms, so knowledge of chemistry is also useful.
Biology can be taken with any subjects, but students often choose to combine it with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology.









Entry requirements: Applicants should have five GCSEs at grades A*-C including English, GCSE Biology or Science and Additional Science at grade A*-B, and GCSE Mathematics at grade A*-B. Applicants should also have a GCSE average points score of more than 5.7.









Assessment: Assessment is through a mixture of written exams and practical work.









Academic progression: Biology is identified by selective universities as one of the subjects they prefer applicants to have studied at A Level.









Career progression: An A Level in Biology can be the first step towards careers in fields such as; research science, marine biology, healthcare and forensic science, as well as medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.