A' Level Biology (Full AS + A2)

This A Level Biology course is a perfect qualification for those wishing to acquire knowledge and understanding of the subject to enable them to study at a higher level at university. It also provides a progression route for further training whilst in employment.

This specification is designed to encourage candidates to develop:Key Topics

• an enthusiasm for biology
• practical skills alongside an understanding of concepts and principles
• an appropriate and relevant foundation of knowledge and skills for the study of biology in Higher Education

Unit 1 - Biology and Disease

Unit 2 - The variety of living organisms

Unit 3 - Investigative and practical skills in AS Biology

Unit 4 - Populations and environment

Unit 5 - Control in cells and in organisms

Unit 6 - Investigative and practical skills in A2 Biology

1 Biology and Disease

The learners will gain an understanding and be able to discuss:

• Pathogens & Lifestyle: Analyse and interpret data associated with specific risk factors and the incidence of disease.
• Recognise correlations and casual relationships.
• The digestive system, proteins, enzyme action, enzyme properties and carbohydrate digestion.
• Cells, plasma membranes, diffusion, osmosis, active transport, absorption and cholera.
• Lung function and the biological basis of lung disease.
• Heart structure and function; the biological basis of heart disease.
• Principles of immunology, including evaluating the methodology, evidence and data relating to use of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, ethical issues arising, the role of the scientific community in validating new knowledge and how society uses scientific knowledge to inform decision making on vaccines etc.

2 The Variety of Living Organisms

The learners will gain an understanding and be able to discuss:

• Investigating variation between members of a species, the need for random sampling, the concept of normal distribution about a mean.
• Causes of variation discussing the various environmental and genetic factors and their contribution.Structure of DNA, genes and polypeptides, DNA and chromosomes and meiosis.
• Haemoglobin, carbohydrates (basic structure and function) and cells.
• Replication of DNA, mitosis and cell cycle.
• Cell differentiation.
• Size and surface area, gas exchange, mass transport, the blood system and the passage of water through a plant.
• Principles of taxonomy.
• Genetic comparisons, DNA, proteins and behaviour.
• Antibiotics and genetic variation in bacteria.
• Biodiversity: Species diversity and index of diversity.

3 Investigate and practical skills in Biology

The learners will be able to:

• Pose scientific questions and define scientific problems.
• Identify the independent variable and describe an appropriate method for varying it.
• Identify other variables.Explain why appropriate control experiments should be established.
• Explain how they would collect a full range of useful quantitative data.
• Distinguish between accuracy and reliability and describe adequate precautions.
• Show full regard to safety and ethical issues.
• Carry out an investigation in a methodical and organised way.
• Take all measurements accurately.
• Collect and present raw data in a suitable table.
• Process data correctly.
• Select relevant data to present an effective summary of results.
• Describe the trends in collected data.
• Recognise correlations and causal relationships.
• Draw valid conclusions and apply biological knowledge to findings.
• Identify the limitations of the material, apparatus and techniques used.
• Discuss the effects of these limitations and the conclusions; resolving conflicting evidence.
• Suggest ways as to how effects of limitations may be reduced.

4 Populations and Environment

The learners will gain an understanding and be able to discuss:

• Populations and ecosystems, investigating populations, variation in population size and human populations.
• ATP.
• Photosynthesis, light-dependent reaction, light independent reaction and limiting factors.
• Aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.
• Energy transfer and energy and food production.
• Nutrient cycles, carbon and nitrogen.
• Succession.
• Inheritance, the Hardy-Weinberg principle, selection and speciation.

5 Control in Cells and in organisms

The learners will gain an understanding and be able to discuss:

• Survival and response, control of heart rate and receptors.
• Principles, nerve impulses and synaptic transmission.
• The sliding filament theory of muscle contraction and muscles as effectors.
• Principles, temperature control and control of blood glucose concentration.
• Principles and control of mammalian oestrus.
• The genetic code, polypeptide synthesis and gene mutation.
• Most of cell’s DNA is not translated and the regulation of transcription and translation.
• Gene cloning and transfer, gene therapy, medical diagnosis and genetic fingerprinting.

6 Investigative and Practical skills in A2 Biology

The learners will gain an understanding and be able to:

• Pose scientific questions and define scientific problems.
• Identify the independent variable and describe an appropriate method for varying it.
• Identify other variables.
• Explain why appropriate control experiments should be established.
• Explain how they would collect a full range of useful quantitative data.
• Distinguish between accuracy and reliability and describe adequate precautions.
• Show full regard to safety and ethical issues.
• Carry out an investigation in a methodical and organised way.
• Take all measurements accurately.
• Collect and present raw data in a suitable table.
• Select and justify an appropriate statistical test.
• Construct an appropriate null hypothesis.
• Calculate the test statistic.
• Interpret the calculated test statistic.
• Draw valid conclusions.
• Identify the limitations in apparatus and technique.
• Assess the effects of these limitations on the data.
• Suggest ways that these effects may be reduced.
• Suggest further investigations as additional evidence.

How science works

Learners should be able to demonstrate a working knowledge in:

• the concepts, principles and theories that form the subject content
• the procedures associated with the valid testing of ideas and, in particular, the collection, interpretation and validation of evidence
• the role of the scientific community in validating evidence and also in resolving conflicting evidence.
• the need for regulation of scientific enquiry and how this can be achieved
• how scientists can contribute legitimately to debates about those claims which are made in the name of science.

Entry Requirements

Our A' Level in Biology is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Biology and has a keen interest in the subject, plus an intention to progress a career.

• Learners will need sufficient numeracy and literacy
• Students should have access to a computer and the internet throughout your study period.
• Learners should have basic PC skills in order to navigate our Support Portal
• Students should have a GCSE grade C or above, or the equivalent and preferably in Biology.
• You should be fully committed to your studies.