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Biology

A Level Biology

Staff within the Department

Ms Knight – Head of Biology

B.Sc. Biology, Dip.T.

Mr Jones

B.Sc. (Hons) Biology with Applied & Analytical Chemistry, P.G.C.E. (Secondary) Science/Chemistry

Mr Agab

BSc. (Hons)

Ms Sagajllo

B.Sc. (Hons) Science with Secondary Education

Ms Yeong

B.Sc. (Hons) Biological Sciences. P.G.C.E. (Secondary) Science/Biology

 

Biology is the study of living things. The A level course explains how living things work at different levels of complexity, such as:

· Molecules and structures inside cells and the biochemical pathways that make them work

· How organs in body systems work together to carry out life processes such as digestion, excretion & respiration

· How living things, including humans, interact with each other and their environment

· What happens when parts of the body do not function properly & how we can use our knowledge to treat human disorders

· How we can manipulate genes in animals and plants to solve problems such as crop productivity & genetic disorders

 

Students of Biology need to be both dedicated and interested in the subject. Strong organisational and time management skills are required. Mathematical skill and logical thinking is useful, as is the ability to write extended pieces of writing.

Practical skills are essential in any A-level Science subject, including Biology.

Research skills are necessary, as is the ability to evaluate data and sources.

 

We follow the AQA specification.

AS Biology, 7401 and A-level Biology, 7402

Link: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/biology-7401-7402

 

Course outline:

 

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 12

  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Water
  • Surface Area to Volume Ratio
  • Cell Structure
  • Cell Division
  • Transport Across Membranes
  • Gas Exchange
  • Digestion and Absorption
  • Mass Transport
  • Genetic Diversity
  • Immune System
  • Species and Taxonomy
  • Biodiversity
  • DNA, Genes and Chromosomes
  • Protein Synthesis

 

Year 13

  • Stimuli and Response
  • Nervous Co-ordination
  • Skeletal Muscles
  • Homeostasis
  • Photosynthesis
  • Respiration
  • Energy and Ecosystems
  • Nutrient Cycles

 

  • Inheritance
  • Populations
  • Gene Expression
  • Mutations
  • Using Genome Projects
  • Gene technologies
  • Revision and examination practice

 

 

Activities to do at home  

Biology is very easy to get involved with at home:

  • You could subscribe to a biological journal written specifically for students aged 14-19 years old – Biological Sciences Review  http://www.bsr.manchester.ac.uk/
  • You could get inspired by carrying out simple home experiments: 

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/experiments_all

  • There is a great series of youtube videos, uploaded under the title “Crash Course”

 

There are a large number of inspiring and interesting books related to Biology available to read. Some to get you started could include:

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks

Elephants on Acid by Alex Boese

Bad Science by Ben Goldacre

Botanicum (Welcome To The Museum) by Kathy Willis (Author), Katie Scott (Illustrator)

 

 

 Enrichment Activities and Trips

Year 13 Residential Field Trip

Year 12 Field Trip

 

Career Paths

Agricultural research

Dietician

Zoologist

Marine biologist

Botanist

Pharmacist

Physical therapist

Wildlife biologist

Forest service

Lab technician

Chiropractor

Fisheries biologist

Soil scientist

Coroner

Podiatrist

Animal trainer

Horticulturist

Forensic scientist

Exercise physiologist

Physician

Veterinarian

Pathologist

Nutritionist

Nurse

 

In addition to the Biology-related careers above, studying Biology can help people enter the following fields:

Journalism

Environmental Science

Pharmaceuticals

Medicine

Research

Ecology

Communication

Technology

Museum

Conservation

Nutrition

Education