*Between the 29th of June and 12th of July first year A Level students will need to undertake work experience.
Units covered
Module 1 – Development of practical skills in Biology
Module 2 – Foundations in Biology
- Cell structure
- Biological molecules
- Nucleotides and nucleic acids
- Enzymes
- Biological membranes
- Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation
Module 3 – Exchange and transport
- Exchange surfaces
- Transport in animals
- Transport in plants
Module 4 – Biodiversity, evolution and disease
- Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
- Biodiversity
- Classification and evolution
Module 5 • Communications, homeostasis and energy
- Communication and homeostasis
- Excretion as an example of homeostatic control
- Neuronal communication
- Hormonal communication
- Plant and animal responses
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
Module 6 • Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
- Cellular control
- Patterns of inheritance
- Manipulating genomes
- Cloning and biotechnology
- Ecosystems
- Populations and sustainability
- Visits
There are field trips to the Natural History Museum in London, a rocky shore habitat at Kimmeridge Bay and Chalk Grassland at Stockbridge Down in the summer term.
What grades will I need?
Five GCSEs at A*-C/9-4 (including a B/6 in Higher Maths or above and B/6 in Biology or B/6 in core plus B/6 in Additional Science and a C/5 or higher in English)
BTEC Level 2 qualifications are also considered in subject related courses
Where will it lead me?
- Higher Education
- Any BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) Degree in combination with other A Levels
Career options
Career paths include a variety of areas such as medicine, dentistry, midwifery, nursing and other biomedical and healthcare professions.
It can also provide the foundation for the many pure scientific branches of the biological sciences, such as physiology, biochemistry, ecology, pharmacology and marine biology. Biology is also extremely relevant to environmental science, food technology, agriculture, horticulture and forensics.
Additional Qualifications
Biology is well suited to other A Level courses such as:
- Environmental Studies
- PE
- Geography
- Chemistry
- Maths