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Welcome to Biology
Course Details
Why choose this course?
The course offers a ‘how science works’ theme with more assessments focussing upon scientific practical skills. Each module has a ‘thinking bigger’ topic, which specifically looks at applying knowledge learnt in the classroom into modern day life.
The course offers an insight into the fundamentals of Biology, looking at cellular structure, replication and biological molecules which are then built upon over the two year course, applying each concept to a different area of Science. For example, using knowledge about how cells respond to disease to discuss the development of drugs and vaccines. The course covers all aspects of Biology, which is favoured by universities, as it doesn’t solely focus upon animals or plants. The course looks into how all living things act and respond to their environment. The key features of the course are transport in mammals, evolution, respiration, photosynthesis and disease – all of which are based upon the fundamentals of Biology.
Course Content/Main Topics
Module 1 - Development of practical skills in Biology. Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement (pass or fail) and in the written examinations
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 and plants
Module 4 - Biodiversity, evolution and disease, disease prevention and the immune system; Biodiversity; Classification and evolution
Module 5 - Photosynthesis and respiration
Module 6 - Inheritance and genetics
Careers and Higher Education
There are many career paths opened by taking Biology at A Level. Courses in medicine, health, ecology, botanic, veterinary, radiotherapy, physiotherapy, marine biology, environmental sciences and many more.
Qualification
A Level
Assessment
Students will be assessed in two exams in their first year. These are called Breadth and Depth Papers. Each Paper is 70 marks and covers all of the modules from Year 12 teaching. The new design specifically requires students to recall, apply and synthesise content taught throughout the year (module 1-4). Each module has a set of complimentary Student Assessment Groups (PAGs), which are the practical assessments. These require the students to successfully complete practical activities along with a set of questions. These questions could be drawing diagrams, analysing graphs or data, or simply evaluating the experiment they have just completed. The practical assessment is separate from the examination. Upon completing the course, the students will achieve a grade along with a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ for their practical skills. Students will have 3 exams in Summer Year 13, which will cover the content from both years (module 1-6).
Biological processes and Biological Diversity both carry 37%, and are worth 100 marks; Unified Biology carries 26% and is worth 70 marks. PAGs which are completed in Year two, only focus upon the content taught in Year 2, and follow the same route as Year 1.
Entry Requirements
Grade 6 achieved in Double Science or 6 achieved in Biology. Grade 6 in English and Mathematics.
Contact Information
Mr R Sehmbi
Rsehmbi1@wombournehighschool.co.uk
For general sixth form enquires, please email: office@wombournehighschool.co.uk