Biology
AS / A2 Biology
It is a fascinating subject which provides the opportunity to study living organisms, large and small, from bacteria to mammals. Find out how they function, the different ways they interact with each other and their surroundings and also the impact they have on your lives.
Some lessons will be theoretical, but these are mixed with practical sessions where you carry out experiments and collect real data, which you will learn to analyse. At the end of the first year, students who are progressing to the full A level will take part in a residential field course; hard work but very rewarding and fun, this will give you a chance to experience life as a university student as we stay at a university, living in halls of residence.
Assessment
You will study three units in each year, some of the topics will be familiar to you, like cells and the blood system; others will be new, such as immunology; all units will include the effect of advances in science in the real world. At AS level, one unit will be examined by a written paper in January and the second in May/June; there will also be a practical skills based unit which includes both a practical examination and a written element.
A similar pattern of assessment will take place in the second year of the course. Throughout the course at both AS and A2 level, you will be given regular assessments and homework assignments to help you prepare for these examinations.
The course is aimed at those students who have studied Additional Science or Separate Sciences at GCSE.
GCSE Biology is a single award science. Itis available as a one year course for students who may not be happy with their existing grade in Biology or Science; It is particularly important for those who do not have a C grade in a science subject and wish to become primary teachers.
We look forward to speaking with you during taster days and open evenings to answer your questions about Biology, to explain in more details what the course contains and how it may fit into your future plans for going onto University or employment.
Subject Combinations
Biology is usually studied in conjunction with another science subject or maths; some students combine it with Geography, Health and Social Care, PE. Psychology or Business Studies to name but a few. In fact biology is a subject that can compliment almost any other combination of courses. If you are unsure of your future at this stage, it is a good idea to take biology to develop skills of interpretation and analysis, which will be useful in many occupations or careers.
The Next Step
What you do after studying A level biology depends on the combination of subjects you have studied with it. Possible careers are many and varied ranging form Anthropology to Zoology with many in between. To progress to a biology degree, medicine, veterinary science, dentistry or pharmacy, you will also need chemistry at ‘A’ level and preferably one other science or maths. Radiography, nursing and sports science degrees have been a popular choice with a number of ‘A’ level Biology students in recent years; others have gone to study accountancy, law and French.
