Biology

Biology
The OCR Biology AS Level is a good balance of traditional Biology and more modern topics. It reinforces a lot of GCSE work, providing a firm grounding in the subject and supports the other sciences and Mathematics well. Opportunities are provided to develop practical skills, techniques and procedures.The A2 course provides in-depth coverage of fundamental areas of physiology and biological theory. Practical skills are improved by experimental work and a residential field trip.

AS Units (Year One)
The Advanced Subsidiary (AS) is studied in the first year. The course is divided into three separate units. They are:

Unit F211: Cells, Exchange and Transport
This includes cell structure, cell membranes, cell division, exchange surfaces and breathing, transport in animals and in plants. (15% of the total A Level)

Unit F212: Molecules, Biodiversity, Food and Health
This includes biological molecules, nucleic acids and enzymes, diet and food production, health and disease. (25% of the total A Level)

Unit F213: Practical Skills in Biology 1
This is made up of 3 practical coursework pieces, assessed under exams conditions. It comprises of one qualitative, one quantitative and one evaluative piece. (10% of the total A Level)

Advanced Subsidiary (AS)
Unit F211: 1 hour written paper
Unit F212: 1 hour 45 min written paper
Unit F213: Three practical tasks.Examinations are available in January and June

A2 Units (Year Two)
Students can choose to progress to the full Advanced Level (A2) in the second year of study. This contains three units:

Unit F214: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy
This includes communication, nerves, hormones, excretion, respiration and photosynthesis. (15% of the total A Level)

Unit F215: Control, Genomes and Environment
This includes cellular control, meiosis and variation, cloning, biotechnology, gene technologies, ecosystems, populations and sustainability, animal behaviour. (25% of the total A Level)

Unit F216: Practical Skills in Biology 2
This is made up of three practical coursework pieces, assessed under exams conditions. It comprises one qualitative, one quantitative and one evaluative piece. (10% of the total A level)

Advanced (A2)
Unit F214: 1 hour written paper
Unit F215: 1 hour 45 min written paper
Unit F216: Three practical tasks.Examinations are available in January and JuneThe full A Level in Biology provides the basis for students who wish to proceed to Higher Education to study Biology, Medicine, Veterinary Science and other scientific careers. It is also a route to nursing, teaching, physiotherapy and laboratory based work, as well as linking directly with environmental science and sustainability.

Results
SUMMER 2009
A - C grade: 68%
Highlights: 50% of learners achieved'A' or'B' grades, above the national figure.

Examination Board OCR