Download Biology

A LEVEL
(Reformed)
Biology
Why should I study A Level
Biology?
How will I be assessed?
Biology has an important place in the
in Year 12 will not count towards the full A Level
contemporary world. It is a dynamic subject that
grade.
embraces the other sciences and links with them in
A ‘Science Practical Endorsement’ will be used to
a meaningful way. Above all, it is a very enjoyable
assess your practical skills, but this assessment will
and exciting subject that will provide you with an
not count towards your final grade.
in-depth understanding of human biology, health
There are three A Level exams: Papers 1 and 2 are
and disease, evolution, ecology, plant biology,
worth 35% each; Paper 3 is worth 30% of the overall
genetics and gene technology.
A Level grade.
You will sit exams in Year 12 and Year 13. AS exams
Students studying A Level Biology attend a biology
field course to study ecology in Slapton Sands, a
DNA practical workshop and a zoo trip to look at
classification, biodiversity and conservation.
What skills will I develop?
Biology is an experimental subject; therefore you will
explore it through practical investigation. Utilising
our well-equipped laboratories, you will develop key
What are the entry
requirements?
skills such as experimental analysis, data collection,
You should have achieved a grade A in GCSE
evaluating the success of a project.
Biology or AA grades in Double Science.
You will be encouraged to research topics beyond
mathematical analysis, developing a hypothesis and
the classroom, to work independently and to
What will I learn about?
develop an understanding of how science works.
You will explore life from its simplest form, the
cell, to complex multi-cellular organisms. You will
study biochemistry and the important role that
proteins play in our bodies. You will learn how
Where could this subject take me
in the future?
The key skills mean that a wide range of university
nerves and hormones control our body’s complex
courses would be accessible including degrees in
systems. You will investigate DNA, the very
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary and Natural Sciences,
molecule of life itself, and how genetics may hold
as well as Biological Sciences, Chiropractic and
the key to future medical advances.
Biochemistry.