Biology

Is this course for me?

If you enjoy studying a wide range of topics and developing your ability to link your understanding across these topics and apply it to unfamiliar contexts, you will be well suited to the study of A Level Biology. Biology is both a challenging and rewarding subject, which develops an array of transferable skills that are essential for a successful career, including essay-writing, practical and mathematical skills, as well as skills in self-direction, independent learning and teamwork. Ultimately, you should take Biology because you are either interested in the subject or are good at it, ideally both!

Opportunities

Many students enjoy the study of Biology at A Level so much that they choose to study a biology-related degree course at university, such as biomedical science, medicine, veterinary science, midwifery or physiotherapy. Others go on to careers in law or teaching, for example, but are able to utilise the skills they developed in A Level Biology. Biology is one of the facilitating subjects identified by the Russell Group of universities. 

Qualification Structure

In the Biology course, students will need to be able to: use standard form, use significant figures, rearrange equations, use logarithms and have a good grasp of algebra to succeed.

A Level Biology is a linear qualification, with students sitting all the A Level examinations at the end of their A Level course. There are three assessments: paper 1 will assess any content from sections 1 to 4 of the course, including relevant practical skills; paper 2 will assess any content from sections 5 to 8 and relevant practical skills; paper 3 is a synoptic paper based on all content from sections 1 to 8, including practical skills. The subject content is broken down into eight sections, each of which has associated mathematical and practical skills (Sections 5 to 8 are designed to be taught in the second year of the A Level course):

• Section 1: Biological molecules
• Section 2: Cells
• Section 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment
• Section 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
• Section 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms
• Section 6: Stimuli, both internal and external, are detected and lead to a response
• Section 7: Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
• Section 8: The control of gene expression

Biology has a lot of really fascinating content – just make sure to keep up with the work so you understand it as you go along!