Biology
A Level
Biology has led to major developments in areas such as food production, diagnosis and treatment of disease, enhancing sports performance, conservation and forensics.
If you are fascinated by the way plants, animals, micro-organisms and humans work then this is the ideal course for you.
A Level Biology will help you make sense of the living world around you. You will study the biology of plants and animals, human health and the wider natural environment. You will gain insights into how living organisms work, and understand wider environmental issues in more detail.
- Type of study
- Full-Time
- Examination board
- OCR
Availability & Details
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Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language. You must also have GCSEs at grade 6 or above in Mathematics and two Science subjects
We offer a choice of Biology courses at A Level, OCR Specification A or OCR Specification B. Specification A is similar to a traditional A Level Biology course, focusing on animals, plants, the environment and biotechnology, as well as topics relating to humans. This course would suit students wishing to progress to study biological sciences at a higher level.
Specification B contains more emphasis on human applications of biology, with more topics related to medical areas, as well as work on plants, the environment and biotechnology. Both specifications contain a Practical Skills and Data Handling module.
You will:
- Carry out experimental and investigative activities, including appropriate risk management, in a range of biological contexts
- Analyse and interpret data to provide evidence, recognise correlations and causal relationships and use statistical tests
- Evaluate methodology, evidence and data
Both specifications include:
Year One:
- Cells, exchange and transport – Cells and microscopes, tissues organs and organ systems. Respiratory and transport systems in mammals. Transport of materials in and out of cells. Plant transport systems
- Molecules, biodiversity, food and health – Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, water and enzymes.
- DNA and RNA. Human parasites and pathogens and defence against disease. Plant diseases. The study of biodiversity, habitats, classification and evolution
Year Two:
- Communication, homeostasis and energy
- Plant and animal hormones and nervous systems. Homeostasis and excretion. Photosynthesis and respiration
- Control, genomes and environment – Inheritance and genetic technologies.
- Artificial selection and biotechnology using micro-organisms and enzymes to make useful products
You will be taught in well-equipped and serviced laboratories where a variety of learning opportunities and teaching styles will be provided through lectures, problem solving, data handling, experimental and observational tasks.
The course also contains statistical analysis and other mathematical techniques. Fieldwork is carried out at specialist centres such as Leeson House in Dorset. Students have the opportunity to attend outreach events such as those run by the Universities of Portsmouth and Southampton.
The A Level will be assessed through externally marked examinations in the Summer Term of the Second Year. There is no coursework component.
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