A-Level Biology
Overview
“Where there's water on Earth, you find life as we know it. So if you find water somewhere else, it becomes a remarkable draw to look closer to see if life of any kind is there, even if it's bacterial, which would be extraordinary for the field of biology.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
Biology is a study of life that teaches us about ourselves and the organic world around us. Biology provides the answers to large-scale problems, and it sees the big picture on the planet. Biology tells in detail how each and everything in the environment is linked and how the effect on one element can affect the other areas.
Key Information
Qualification: A-Level
Exam Board: AQA
Entry Requirements
English 5+
Maths 6+
Double Science 6+|6+
Useful Links
Paper 1
Any content from topics 1– 4, including relevant practical skills
1 Biological molecules
2 Cells
3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment
4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
written exam
2 hours
91 marks
35% of A-level
76 marks: a mixture of short and long answer questions
15 marks: extended response questions
Paper 2
Any content from topics 5–8, including relevant practical skills
5 Energy transfers in and between organisms
6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
8 The control of gene expression
written exam
2 hours
91 marks
35% of A-level
76 marks: a mixture of short and long answer questions
15 marks: comprehension question
Paper 3:
Any content from topics 1–8, including relevant practical skills
written exam
2 hours
78 marks
30% of A-level
38 marks: structured questions, including practical techniques
15 marks: critical analysis of given experimental data
25 marks: one essay from a choice of two titles
Progression
Studying Biology will inspire, nurture a passion and lay the groundwork for further study in courses like biological sciences and medicine. Many students that study Biology go on to further education and study topics such as: Biology, Psychology, Sport and exercise science, Medicine, Anatomy, Physiology and pathology, pharmacology, Toxicology and pharmacy chemistry.
Occupations that are commonly associated with Biology include:
doctor
clinical molecular geneticist
nature conservation officer
pharmacologist
research scientist
veterinary
secondary school teacher
marine biologist
dentist.
What goes well with Biology?
Sport
Health & Social Care
Chemistry
Physics
Maths
Psychology