BIOLOGY A LEVEL
BIOLOGY
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: GCSE Biology Grade 5 or GCSE Combined Science Grade 5 with a Grade 5 GCSE Mathematics.
WHAT IS THE COURSE CONTENT AND HOW WILL I BE EXAMINED?
YEAR 12
Biological molecules, cells, organisms exchange substances with their environment and genetic
information, variation and relationships between organisms.
YEAR 13
Energy transfers in and between organisms, Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external
environments, genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems and the control of gene expression.
Paper 1 – Year 12 content (2 hours)
Paper 2 – Year 13 content (2 hours)
Paper 3 – Content from both years, including a synoptic essay (2 hours)
The practical content is examined on all papers & 10% of the marks require mathematical skills.
A-Level
Exam Board:
AQA
Contact details:
Head of department Mrs C Thomas
c.thomas@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk
“I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED BIOLOGY A-LEVEL AS IT IS AN ENGROSSING
SUBJECT WHICH HAS ALLOWED ME TO EXPLORE A VARIETY OF TOPICS
RANGING FROM GENETICS TO ECOSYSTEMS. WE LEARN ABOUT ALL LIVING
THINGS IN GREAT DEPTH WHILE BUILDING SKILLS IN RESEARCH, ANALYSIS,
AND APPLICATION OF BIOLOGY TO REAL LIFE.”
EVE GAVIN NOW IN FIRST YEAR AT UNIVERSITY OF CARDIFF STUDYING MEDICINE
ST NICHOLAS EXTRA:
A UK based ecology field trip at the end of Year 12. There are also opportunities to help run dissection clubs for lower years and to compete in the Biology Olympiad.
