Biology

Course summary

Biology is the science of life. Its study at both A Level and beyond provides evidence of the ability to cope with a logical discipline. Graduates in science are in high demand and have strong employment prospects in a range of areas. Apart from the study of the subject in its own right, courses are available in a range of biological sciences including the increasingly popular forensic science and biochemistry. The course builds upon study at GCSE to explore more complex concepts within animal and plant biology. A Level Biology is a two-year linear course that covers a range of biological principles and concepts. It is a highly practical course that develops theoretical knowledge as well as critical thinking skills; students have to apply their understanding to a wide variety of contexts. In Year 12, students will cover the following topics: biological molecules, cells, exchange in organisms and genetic information, variation, and relationships between organisms. In Year 13, students will develop their thinking to cover the following topics: Energy transfers, how organisms respond to change, genetics, populations/evolution, and the control of gene expression. The content and work demand is the same in both Year 12 and Year 13.