What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course? The course builds on the knowledge and understanding of the 360 GCSE Science programme. It is expected that students will have achieved a GCSE Grade B in both GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science or equivalent.

During the course students will need to be able to communicate effectively and research information from a variety of sources. During parts of the course students will be expected to handle and interpret data, it is necessary that students have achieved at least a GCSE Grade C in Mathematics.

What will I learn on this A Level course?

• Develop greater understanding of biological facts together with an appreciation of their significance in new and changing situations;
• Develop greater expertise in the area of practical work and the link between theory and experimental work;
• Continue to enjoy and further develop a personal interest in the study of living organisms;
• The recognition of the responsible use of biology in society;
• Develop further the awareness of developments in biology in the changing world into the new millennium;
• How science works. What kind of student is this course suitable for?
• Has an interest in the study of living organisms;
• Enjoys carrying out investigations in the laboratory or as fieldwork;
• Interested in the developments of “new” biology topics such as genetic engineering and its impact on society;
• Wants to use Biology to support other qualifications such as Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geography.

What examinations will I have to take to get my qualification?

AS
AS is short for Advanced Subsidiary. This is the first half of the A level course. It is a stepping-stone to the full A level qualification. The standard of AS level is one you can take just the AS on its own, if you and your teacher agree that this is best for you. You can even decide at the end of the AS course whether to continue to take the full A level qualification. An AS course consists of three assessment units.

Unit 1: Lifestyle, Transport, Genes and Health
Content summary:

• Structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins; enzyme action
• Structure and properties of cell membranes; passive and active transport
• Structure and role of DNA and RNA
• Replication; protein synthesis
• Monohybrid inheritance
• Gene mutations
• Principles of gene therapy; social and ethical issues

Assessment
This Unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper which lasts 1 hour 15 minutes

Unit 2: Development, Plants and the Environment
Content summary:

• Cell structure and ultrastructure of eukaryote and prokaryote cells: cell specialisation
• The role of meiosis
• Genotype and environmental influence
• Stem cell research and its implications
• Biodiversity, adaptations and natural selection
• Principles of taxonomy
• Plant cell structure
• Transport of water in plants
• Uses of plant products

Assessment
This Unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper which lasts 1 hour 15 minutes

Unit 3: Practical Biology and Research Skills
Content summary:
Students write a report of between 1500 and 2000 words, either a record of a visit to a site of biological interest or a report of research into a biological topic.

Assessment

• This piece of work will be marked by the teacher and moderated by Edexcel. Assessment is based on the content of Units 1 and 2, or
• Written alternative, which is an externally assessed exam based on the practical work assigned by the exam board.

A Level (A2)
The full A level qualification is made up of the AS units plus three more units which are studied at a higher level. You don’t necessarily have to take the full A level qualification; you can still get a certificate just for the AS, and your teacher will advise you on what is best. If you do decide to take the second half of the course it will cover the three units described below.

Unit 4: The Natural Environment and Species Survival
Content summary:

• Photosynthesis; energy transfer within ecosystems
• Evidence for global warming
• Evolution through natural selection and speciation
• Nutrient recycling
• DNA profiling and PCR
• Structure of bacteria and viruses
• Infectious diseases (eg AIDS and TB) and immunology

Assessment
This Unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Unit 5: Energy, Exercise and Coordination
Course summary:

• ATP, glycolysis, anaerobic/aerobic respiration
• Control and functioning of heart; ventilation and cardiac output
• Homeostasis
• The nervous system
• Impact of exercise on body, and improving performance
• Hormonal coordination
• Brain structure and development
• Imbalances in brain chemicals
• Human Genome Project

This Unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Unit 6: Practical Biology and Research Skills
Content summary:
Students will complete a written report of an experimental investigation, which they have devised and carried out.

Assessment

• This piece of work will be marked by the teacher and moderated by Edexcel, or
• Written alternative, which is an externally assessed exam based on the practical work assigned by the exam board.

How can I develop my full range of skills by doing this course?
As well as covering an advanced study of Biology this course will enable you to develop some skills which will be essential to you for your further studies. Examples of the skills you can develop during this course are:

Communication

• Taking part in topical discussions on issues.
• Preparing written documents for your practical work
• Using reference materials from books, CD-ROM and the Internet

Application of number

• Planning to collect results from experiments and presenting them in a suitable format
• Carrying out calculations on the data collected in experiments,/li>
• Interpreting the results from experiments and seeing how this relates to your plan

Information technology

• Using word processing software to present written reports and prepare presentations
• Plan and design a spreadsheet to support your experiments, be able to select a suitable graphical format to show trends and patterns in your data

Problem solving

• Using separation techniques to identify amino acids in mixtures
• Trying out different techniques to extract pigments from plant tissues

Working with others

• Using PowerPoint to present information on key areas of the syllabus
• Peer marking and peer assessment

Improving own learning and performance

• Improve your practical skills
• Monitoring the marks awarded for written work
• Development of examination techniques

What could I go on to do at the end of my course?

• Follow a degree course in biology, environmental science, medicine, nursing, dentistry, psychology and pharmacy. These are a small selection of courses with direct links. UCAS handbooks would give you further guidance.
• Enter a higher national course in biological science and related programmes.
• Employment in the area of pharmacy, biotechnology, environmental science and land management as possible examples.

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