Biology
Department:
Science
Type of Qualification:
A Level
Exam Board:
AQA
Requirements:
2 x GCSE Grade 6 in any of the Sciences and a Grade 6 in Mathematics is recommended
Course Content
Students will study the following topics:
- The course is linear, meaning students will sit all exams at the end of the two-year course.
- There are twelve compulsory practical activities which will be carried out in lessons throughout the course, with knowledge and understanding tested in the final exams. There is a greater emphasis on mathematic skills with 10% of the marks testing these skills.
Core content includes:
- Biological molecules
- Cells
- Organisms exchange substances with their environment
- Genetic Information, variation and relationships between organisms
- Energy transfers in and between organisms
- Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
- Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
- The control of gene expression
Style Of Assessment
Paper 1:
- Topics 1-4
- 2 hour exam – 91 marks
- 35% of A Level
Paper 2:
- Topics 5-8
- 2 hour exam – 91 marks
- 35% of A Level
Paper 3:
- Any content from topics 1-8
- 2 hour exam – 78 marks
- 30% of A Level
Whose kind of course?
Students who take Biology also study from a wide range of subjects, including Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Psychology, PE, English, Geography and History.
Stretch and challenge – Aiming for A*
The A* grade will be awarded to pupils who achieve over 90% in their A2 units.
Career Prospects
A wide range of careers are available such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary, physiotherapy, pharmacy, midwifery, paramedics, nursing, zoology, marine biology, sports science, teaching, forensics and law.
