TPS Biology

Course Overview

The aim of the course is to gain an insight into the Science of Life. You will study exciting and sometimes controversial issues such as genetic engineering, recent medical developments, biotechnology and environmental issues. You will develop practical skills by planning experiments, collecting data, analysing experimental results and making conclusions.

Course Content

This course is split into six modules and combined with the Practical Endorsement, constitutes the full A Level qualification. The modules can be summarised as:

1 Development of practical skills in biology

2 Foundations in biology

3 Exchange and transport

4 Biodiversity, evolution and disease

5 Communication, homeostasis and energy

6 Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Teaching of practical skills is integrated with theoretical topics and they are both assessed through the written exam papers. For the practical endorsement, your class teachers will assess your practical skills in lessons, with a minimum of 12 practical activities to be carried out over the 2 years. At the end of the course, this will be reported separately to the exam grade as a pass or fail.

Biology is essential for careers in medicine and veterinary sciences as well as in disciplines such as biochemistry, microbiology, ecology and environmental sciences. We recommend that Biology is taken in conjunction with complementary subjects such as the other Sciences and you must have confidence in basic mathematical methods.

Course Entry Requirements

6 or above in GCSE Mathematics

6 or above in GCSE Biology or 7/6 or above in GCSE Combined Science

Course Specification

OCR H420 

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/171736-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-biology-a-h420.pdf

Homework

At A Level, students are expected to complete a minimum of  5 hours of study a week on top of their allocated lesson time.