The Biology syllabus is wide-ranging and challenging, though the AS course gives quite a gentle introduction to the further study of the life sciences. The second year, the A2 course, retains the rigour of traditional A-level and looks really quite exciting. If you like arguing and can see clearly how a chain of reasoning can link causes to consequences, or if you are interested in how your body works or how the living world fits together, then Biology might be for you.
The subject is grounded in practical activity: students master a wide range of techniques, including some dissection skills and structured investigations. There is a strong element of ongoing practical assessment in the course, with 30% of the AS marks and 25% of the A-level marks coming from coursework based on practical work.
The AS specification leads on naturally from the core GCSE material all pupils will have followed. A pupil who has studied dual award Science is equally well qualified to study the AS-level course as a pupil who studied Biology as a separate GCSE subject. It is sensible to note that Biology is one of the most challenging of A-level subjects. Science-based candidates do well, but arts-based candidates opting to attempt AS Biology unsupported by any other scientific discipline must be aware that their task will be very difficult.
Biology is strongly recommended for students considering medical, veterinary or related careers. Very many medical schools now insist on Biology to at least AS-level as an entrance requirement. Biology is also useful for Law, the social and natural sciences and of course the biological sciences.
The AS course in Biology is in three units, two of which are factual and one investigative:
Unit 1: Molecules, cells and systems (35% of total AS or 17.5% of A-level
Unit 2: Making use of Biology (35% of total AS or 17.5% of A-level)
Unit 4: Coursework (30% of total AS or 15% of A-level)
Unit 1: Molecules, cells and systems.
This unit studies the building blocks of life on the molecular level of biochemistry and on the level of cell structure. Then, the blood system is chosen as an example of how cells co-operate to perform as systems; we study the blood, blood vessels and the heart and lungs. Finally, the effects of exercise are considered to see how a system can change its behaviour on demand.
Unit 2: Making use of Biology
This is biotechnology, genetic engineering, forensic biology, control of human and animal sexual reproduction and the biology behind crop plant cultivation. The common thread for the unit is the relevance of biological issues to the real world.
Unit 4: Coursework
Throughout the AS course, practicals form part of the teaching and learning programme. There will be a number of opportunities for students to investigate a practical problem for themselves and one of these self-driven investigations will be used as a piece of coursework. Students will be given opportunities to develop the skills needed. It is intended that the coursework comes about naturally as part of the wider learning; it is not a large amount of work and a completed full-scoring investigation will be around five pages of writing.
The A2 course consists of two factual units, one investigative coursework unit and a synoptic examination which will test understanding of the overall ways in which the individual units’ facts and concepts interlink to form a coherent whole:
Unit 5: Inheritance, evolution and ecosystems (15% of A-level)
Unit 6: Physiology and the environment (15% of A-level)
Unit 8a: Terminal synoptic paper (10% of A-level)
Unit 8b: Coursework (10% of A-level)
Unit 5: Inheritance, evolution and ecosystems
This comprises classification, genetics, natural selection, plant photosynthesis, and ecology. As in the whole course, the emphasis is on understanding the concepts which underlie the details.
Unit 6: Physiology and the environment
This studies the body systems: kidneys, liver, breathing, blood, digestion, diet, the nerves and senses, and how they all work.
Unit 8a: Synoptic paper
This component allows students to show that they understand that, despite being set out in four factual units during the course and in the unit examinations, Biology is one subject. The examination paper has several wide-ranging questions covering the links between areas of the course and also has an essay question. The skills of scientific essay writing are the same skills needed to write effective company reports, job applications or many other real-life communication tasks: relevance, clarity and selective analysis.
Unit 8b: Coursework
Throughout the A2 course, weekly practicals will again give rise to opportunities for investigation by the students. The level of skill required is above that of the AS coursework, as is right for the developing competency of the students.