Biology
Biology
Our understanding of life continues to rapidly ‘evolve’, which makes Biology one of the most exciting, fascinating and engaging subjects to study. Major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have opened everyone’s eyes to the vast complexities, mysteries and vulnerabilities of living organisms, and the great importance of understanding these in detail. Exploration of life on Earth has expanded enormously within the last four decades revealing a wealth of knowledge about ourselves and about the millions of other organisms with whom we share this planet Earth.
Biology offers a huge amount of valuable knowledge and understanding. However, it also helps to build a number of core skills which will serve any student well for the future. This includes research and analytics, mathematical and statistical processing, interpreting validity and accuracy, identifying credible information, assessing clinical implications, among many others. It is a course which offers an excellent head start in a number of fields, including medicine, sport, dentistry, biomedical sciences, animal care, research, marine science and numerous others.
The fascinating range of topics, the real-world applications, and the development of academic skills that Biology offers makes it an excellent A-Level course, as well as a subject to continue learning from in future life. Ground-breaking innovations are continuously being uncovered and shaping the future of life on Earth.
Biological molecules - this topic explores the biochemistry within the cells and tissues that make up living organisms, including the structure of carbohydrates and lipids, as well as proteins, enzymes and DNA. It provides a vital foundation for the rest of the course.
Cells - this part of the course utilises key prior knowledge of cell structure and function and elevates it to a new level. Here we look in detail at highly specific and fascinating cell structures, and study the pattern of cell division. This helps to provide interesting context on topics such as cell mutations, early life and bacterial growth, among several other topics.
Exchange and transport - within this topic, students will study a range of systems which are specifically adapted for the exchange and transport of substances, such as the heart and the lungs. They will also contrast these across a range of different organisms, and analyse the structural details which makes them so efficient. Sub-topics include the cardiac cycle, counter-current exchange in fish, and the transport of sugars in the phloem.
Genetic information and variation - this fascinating part of the course provides a detailed introduction to how the structure and function of DNA influences the development and appearance of an organism, and will ultimately determine its role within an ecosystem. This also includes how DNA is replicated, as well as how DNA ensures proteins are synthesised in a specific way.
Energy transfers - students will study two of the most fundamental reactions in living things; photosynthesis and respiration. This topic advances prior knowledge to a new and exciting level of understanding, covering the specific processes and equations in detail, and piecing together a complex but incredible sequence of events.
Coordination and response - this topic is all about how organisms are able to control their functions and respond to stimuli. This includes the structure of the neurone, synaptic transmission, muscle contraction and homeostasis. Students will learn about the action potential and how electrical signals are relayed throughout the body in milliseconds.
Genetics, populations and evolution - this topic ‘evolves’ directly from Topic 4 from Year 12, and looks in more detail at inheritance, focusing on how multiple characteristics are inherited through many generations. This links with the impact this will have throughout a gene pool, introducing topics like natural selection, selective breeding, evolution and population dynamics.
Gene expression - the final topic of A-Level Biology tackles the more modern aspects of gene technology, and looks to the future of gene expression. This raises some interesting questions about potential breakthroughs, as well as ethical concerns that arise from specific areas of research. It covers some major scientific breakthroughs, and gives an excellent insight into game-changing laboratory work that is happening with biomedical sciences today.
The A Level will be assessed by means of 3 two-hour papers at the end of the course:
Paper 1 - Year 12 material
Paper 2 - Year 13 material
Paper 3 - a combination of all A-Level material, including a 25-mark synoptic essay question
These papers feature an even distribution of AO1 (demonstrating knowledge), AO2 (demonstrating application or understanding) and AO3 (mathematical skill and analysis).
Practical work will be continually assessed throughout the course. This comprises 12 required practicals, each of which is recorded and written up by the students. It is a pass/fail part of the course.
The Exam Board is AQA. Here is a link to the full specification.
Biology covers a huge range of areas so compliments various other subjects. It goes well with the other Sciences, as well as Physical Education, Geography and Psychology.
A-Level Biology is hugely rewarding and interesting, but also challenging. It does require a high degree of independent study to ensure the best possible results in examination. A minimum grade of a 6 in GCSE Biology is recommended. Triple Science background is desirable but not essential.
There is a lot of practical work and you will need to work independently, particularly in the second year – it is useful to be mathematically competent to help with this aspect of the course. These practicals provide you with the opportunity to gain a standalone qualification, the Practical Endorsement. This is particularly useful if you continue in the Science field beyond A Levels.
There are many university courses on offer, and these include the traditional routes of medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, but you may also take the view that the course provides a wealth of knowledge and skills that can be transferred to almost any discipline.
If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: Mr Matt Ball, Head of Biology, on mb@farlingtonschool.com