A-LEVEL BIOLOGY

Course Outline

This course is divided into 3 units:

Unit 1: Topics 1 to 4

Written examination: 2 hours. 35% of A Level. 91 Marks (76 from short and long answer questions, 15 from extended response questions)

Unit 2: Topics 5 to 8

Written examination: 2 hours. 35% of A Level. 91 Marks (76 from short and long answer questions, 15 from extended response questions)

Unit 3: Topics 1 to 8

Written examination: 2 hours. 30% of A Level. 78 Marks (38 from structured questions including practical techniques, 15 from critical analysis of given experimental data, 25 marks from one essay with a choice of two titles)

You’re A-Level is based on your written examinations. However, in order to receive it you must undergo a separate endorsement of 12 key practical skills:

1. Use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements (to include mass, time, volume, temperature, length and pH)
2. Use appropriate instrumentation to record quantitative measurements, such as colorimeter or polotemeter
3. Use laboratory glassware apparatus for a variety of experimental techniques to include serial dilutions
4. Use of a light microscope at high power and low power, including use of graticule
5. Produce scientific drawing from observation with annotations
6. Use qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules
7. Seperate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography or electrophoresis
8. Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses/ physiological functions
9. Use microbial aseptic techniques, including the use of agar plates and broth.
10. Safely use instruments for dissection of an animal organ, or plant organ
11. Use sampling techniques in fieldwork
12. Use ICT such as computer modelling, or data logger to collect data, or use software to process data

• Topic 1: Biological molecules
• Topic 2: Cells
• Topic 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment
• Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

• Topic 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms
• Topic 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
• Topic 7: Genetic populations, evolution and ecosystems
• Topic 8: The control of gene expressions

• All topics 1 – 8 shown above

The AQA A-Level Biology qualification is gained once all 3 exam papers are successfully completed along with coursework and twelve practical assessments. These exams are administered by the AQA and assessment centre details will be included with your course, as well as practice papers so that you are more than prepared for your assessments. You will need to contact your local examination centre to work through your coursework requirements.

The practicals are not marked, but you will need to be observed by an examination centre to demonstrate competence in the different techniques. The practicals are usually held in Spring of each year, while the written exams are in May/June.

In addition, there will be a number of tutor marked assessments (TMAs) to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the course materials, with the tutor sending comments to guide you through any areas of potential difficulty, as well as a range of self-assessments that are indicators that you understand the materials as you work through them. These are for your own information, and do not need to be shown to your course tutor.