Biology AS/A Level

Biology is the science of living organisms. This course will take you from the molecules that are used to construct living cells, to organs like the eye and brain, organ systems such as the digestive and nervous systems, organisms, to large complex organisms and how they compete to survive and evolve in complex ecosystems.

The two-year course includes topics on biological molecules, cell structure, enzymes, cell division, DNA, genetic engineering, digestion, the cardiovascular system and transport in plants, energy transfer in metabolism, homeostasis, the environment and ecology, nervous and hormonal control, reproduction and genetics, natural selection and evolution, behaviour, human populations and health. You will be assessed on a range of practical skills while performing laboratory investigations and will sit an examination based on the skills you have learned. Your AS grade will be generated by the aggregation of your results from two end-of-module exams and from an exam based on the practical skills you have acquired.

A further two theory modules and one practical investigation module completes the second year (A2). Each module is assessed by an external examination.

The overall grade is determined by the total marks for all the modules (three modules for AS and all six for the full A Level).

Further information can be found in the course leaflet.