Biology

Course summary

Biology is the scientific extension of the natural human tendency to feel connected with, and curious about, the living world. Biology is for the adventurous. By studying Biology at A level you will be involved in a science at its most exciting period ever. With fresh approaches and new research methods, biologists are now unravelling life’s mysteries and are poised to make an undreamed of contribution to future generations. Although stimulating, the information explosion in Biology can be intimidating. Most of the biologists who have ever lived are alive today and they produce about half a million research articles a year. How then can students and others hope to keep their heads above water in such a pace of discovery? The answer is that all good biologists have a firm grasp of the unifying themes of Biology which are emphasised in the A Level course. By studying Biology at A level you will be involved in a science at its most exciting period ever. With fresh approaches and new research methods, biologists are now unravelling life’s mysteries and are poised to make an undreamed of contribution to future generations. Topics Year 1: • Biological molecules • Cells • Organisms exchange substances with their environment • Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms Year 2: • Energy transfers in and between organisms • How organisms respond to changes in their external environments • Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems • The control of gene expression