The Science of Life…

Biology involves the study of a wide range of exciting topics, ranging from molecular Biology to the study of ecosystems and from microorganisms to mammoths. Biology is never far from the headlines either…

The human genome has been sequenced and we know the complete arrangement of the three thousand million bases that make up human DNA. In Kenya 350 people die every day from AIDS and in South East Asia the skies are dark with smoke as the last Bornean rainforests are burned to grow oil palms. Biologists are concerned with all these issues. They work in the fields of cell biology, medicine, food production and ecology… and the work they do is vital to us all.

What Will I Study?

At Kineton High School, our exam board for Biology is AQA. In the first year you’ll study three main topics: ‘Biology and disease’, ‘The variety of living organisms’, plus a practical assignment which is designed to sharpen your investigative skills. Amongst them, these three topics give a solid grounding in Biology.

Year two helps you build on that firm foundation and, like year one, has two academic topics plus a practical assignment. The academic topics are
‘Populations and environment’, and ‘Control in cells and organisms’. The practical assignment is where you investigate a different area of Biology.

Who Takes This Course?

Biology is one of the most popular A Level subjects in the country, attracting students studying a wide range of other subjects. Many of these students enjoy the subject so much they eventually choose a biologically related degree course. Others go on to careers in law, computing, accounting or teaching. So, whatever field you will eventually work in, you will find Biology a very rewarding and challenging course, which will develop many of the skills essential for a successful career.

 
How Will I Be Assessed?

In the first year you’ll have three assessments. A 75 minute paper on ‘Biology and disease’ and accounts for 17% of your A Level marks. A 105-minute paper on ‘The variety of living organisms’ accounts for 23% of your A Level marks. The practical assignment – accounts for 10% of your A Level marks.

Year two is almost identical. A 90-minute paper on ‘Populations and environment’ accounts for 17% of your A Level marks. A 135-minute paper on ‘Control in cells and organisms’ accounts for 23% of your A Level marks. The practical assignment – accounts for 10% of your A Level marks.

What Skills Will I Learn?

The Biology A Level course helps students develop a number of skills:
• How to collect data and evaluate it
• How to investigate facts and use deduction
• How to put over your point of view effectively
• How to take responsibility for your own learning.

Where Will Success Take Me?

Biology is a great choice of subject for people who want a career in health and clinical professions, such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, physiotherapy, pharmacy, optometry, nursing, zoology, marine Biology or forensic science.

Will it fit in With My Other Subjects?

Students who take Biology often also study from a wide range of subjects, including Psychology, Sociology, PE, Chemistry, Physics, and Geography.

Can’t Wait to Get Started?!

Speak to your GCSE Biology teacher during lessons, or pay Miss Whitehead a visit in room 49. You can also e-mail any questions to whitehead.n1@we-learn.com   Don’t forget you can speak to students in year 12 to find out what they think about studying A’ level Biology too!