Biology

Course summary

The A‐level course aims to develop essential knowledge and understanding of the ideas and skills of biology, and how the practice of science and technological advancements have elicited these. The students will study the cells, molecules and systems which make up living organisms, their interactions with each other and the environment, how variation is introduced and how the environment influences evolution. The course requires good literacy, numeracy, interpretative skills and critical thinking skills. 15% of all marks are for investigative skill assessed questions and 10% for numeracy skills. Lessons are planned with the understanding that students will use a device to take notes, annotate provided notes, and use the internet and other online apps. There will also be class discussions, group and independent learning tasks, modelling tasks, analysis of data in class, physical investigation, and study and practice of past examination understanding on papers. Each set is normally taught by two biology teachers with content being taught in parallel. All biology students are expected to attend a field course at the beginning of Y13 at the Cranedale Centre at an additional cost of about £300.