Section 1: Biological molecules What are the vital molecules that build our cells or power the reactions within them? This topic covers these molecules and how they function, underpinning the rest of the A level course and providing a basic introduction to Biochemistry. Section 2: Cells How do our cells work and how do they interact with the bacteria and viruses that cause infections? This topic covers detail of both eukaryotic (human and plant) cells and prokaryotic (bacterial) cells, as well as viruses. It also looks at how they interact, particularly the role of the immune system in preventing the spread of disease and what happens when that is prevented during HIV infections. This is an introduction to the field of Cell Biology. Section 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment All organisms are constantly exchanging substances across surfaces in their bodies. We breathe, we eat and we use our circulatory system to transport blood around the body. This topic looks at these systems in more detail and discusses what can happen when transport systems fail. Section 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms This introductory Genetics topic is split into two areas; the first is how DNA molecules can control what happens in our bodies, the second is how populations of organisms show variation and how this leads to new species developing. This is an introduction to the field of evolutionary genetics. Section 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms This practical topic covers the two major reactions of energy transfer – photosynthesis and respiration. Why are these reactions so important and how can energy be transferred between species? These key questions are addressed here. Section 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments This topic starts with an introduction to how whole organisms can respond to changes in environment, leading to the study of human systems of control. The functioning of the nervous system and the control of heart rate, blood glucose levels and blood water potential will be studied in further detail. This topic forms an excellent introduction to the fields of Physiology and Medicine. Section 7: Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems This Ecology topic looks at the inheritance of different genes and how this alters the organisms within a population. A key part of this is looking at practical methods of studying populations, something that is explored further on our compulsory residential Field Trip in the Upper Sixth. Section 8: The control of gene expression How can we control which genes are being used in our cells and what happens when we lose that control? How we can artificially control genes in other organisms? These are some of the questions addressed here. This section includes some of the big topics in Molecular Biology, areas of recent development including genome science, epigenetics and genetic fingerprinting.
You will need a good basic knowledge of Science and Maths, with at least an 8 in Biology GCSE and a 7 in Maths GCSE. You do not need to combine A level Biology with Maths or another science but many pupils find it helpful to study at least one other scientific subject in combination with Biology
A level candidates sit three two-hour papers on all the course material. These written papers are taken at the end of the course in the Upper Sixth and assess students’ knowledge of the theory component of the course, as well as their maths and practical skills.
About Education Provider
| Region | East Midlands |
| Local Authority | Rutland |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | £49,979 |
| Sixth Form Fee | £29,370 - £31,941 |
| Address | Uppingham, LE15 9QE |
Section 1: Biological molecules What are the vital molecules that build our cells or power the reactions within them? This topic covers these molecules and how they function, underpinning the rest of the A level course and providing a basic introduction to Biochemistry. Section 2: Cells How do our cells work and how do they interact with the bacteria and viruses that cause infections? This topic covers detail of both eukaryotic (human and plant) cells and prokaryotic (bacterial) cells, as well as viruses. It also looks at how they interact, particularly the role of the immune system in preventing the spread of disease and what happens when that is prevented during HIV infections. This is an introduction to the field of Cell Biology. Section 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment All organisms are constantly exchanging substances across surfaces in their bodies. We breathe, we eat and we use our circulatory system to transport blood around the body. This topic looks at these systems in more detail and discusses what can happen when transport systems fail. Section 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms This introductory Genetics topic is split into two areas; the first is how DNA molecules can control what happens in our bodies, the second is how populations of organisms show variation and how this leads to new species developing. This is an introduction to the field of evolutionary genetics. Section 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms This practical topic covers the two major reactions of energy transfer – photosynthesis and respiration. Why are these reactions so important and how can energy be transferred between species? These key questions are addressed here. Section 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments This topic starts with an introduction to how whole organisms can respond to changes in environment, leading to the study of human systems of control. The functioning of the nervous system and the control of heart rate, blood glucose levels and blood water potential will be studied in further detail. This topic forms an excellent introduction to the fields of Physiology and Medicine. Section 7: Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems This Ecology topic looks at the inheritance of different genes and how this alters the organisms within a population. A key part of this is looking at practical methods of studying populations, something that is explored further on our compulsory residential Field Trip in the Upper Sixth. Section 8: The control of gene expression How can we control which genes are being used in our cells and what happens when we lose that control? How we can artificially control genes in other organisms? These are some of the questions addressed here. This section includes some of the big topics in Molecular Biology, areas of recent development including genome science, epigenetics and genetic fingerprinting.
You will need a good basic knowledge of Science and Maths, with at least an 8 in Biology GCSE and a 7 in Maths GCSE. You do not need to combine A level Biology with Maths or another science but many pupils find it helpful to study at least one other scientific subject in combination with Biology
A level candidates sit three two-hour papers on all the course material. These written papers are taken at the end of the course in the Upper Sixth and assess students’ knowledge of the theory component of the course, as well as their maths and practical skills.