Course type: A Level • Awarding/exam body: AQA
Biology is the study of the natural world and will take you on a journey through life from the macroscopic environments that drive the biodiversity we see on Earth, through to the microscopic world of the cell and the molecular interactions that drive it. Studying Biology at A Level will engage you with the complexities of Biological concepts and enable you to link this to concepts learnt in Chemistry and Physics too. Whilst there is a lot of theory to learn, there will also be a great deal of analysis of experimental data as you will be trained in the skills needed to be a real scientist. Strong mathematics and reasoning skills are therefore essential. As well as A level Chemistry, Biology is also well supported by Mathematics and, or, Physics.
Unit 01: Biological molecules
Unit 02: Cells
Unit 03: Organisms exchange substances with their environment
Unit 04: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
Unit 05: Energy transfers in and between organisms
Unit 06: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
Unit 07: Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
Unit 08: the control of gene expression.
Assessment is 100% examination-based, with twelve standard experiments being assessed and awarded independently.
It is recommended to study Biology with A level Chemistry to access most of the biological options at university; any biological science, chemistry, sport science or psychology at degree level, or any one of the medical professions.
Grade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 6 in Core Science and Grade 7 in Additional Science; GCSE score of 5.5 or above (N.B. Applied Science not accepted)
OR
Grade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 7 in Core Science and Grade 6 in Additional Science; GCSE score of 5.5 or above (N.B. Applied Science not accepted)
OR
Grade 6 in Maths and grade 5 in English Language, Grade 6 in Biology and Grade 6 in either Chemistry or Physics; GCSE score of 5.5 or above (N.B. Applied Science not accepted)
• Preference to do Biology with Chemistry
1 A two day Biology residential stay at Juniper Hall in the Surrey Hills
2 St George’s Hospital Healthcare Shadowing scheme
3 Imperial College London Genetic workshop