Biology

Course summary

A level Biology will help you make sense of the living world. You will study cell biology, biochemistry, ecology the environment, human biology, neurobiology, genetics, and modern techniques such as genetic manipulation, genetic finger printing and PCR. Amongst the skills that this subject develops, literacy, numeracy, communication analysis and evaluation feature strongly, and these transferrable skills are applicable to many areas of your future. You can progress to study a wide variety of courses at university, from agriculture to zoology. For medicine, veterinary science, and dentistry it remains very important. The A level course is split into eight units, covering the following topics: 1. Biological molecules 2. Cells 3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment 4. Genetic information, variation, and relationships between organisms 5. Energy transfers in and between organisms 6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments 7. Genetics, populations, evolution, and ecosystems 8. The control of gene expression Students who satisfy the practical requirements of the course will be awarded a separate “Practical Endorsement” alongside their A level grade. This will not contribute to the grade but is important for students wishing to study science-based courses subsequently. We enrich the curriculum through our developing links with the University of Kent at Canterbury.