A Level Biology

This course covers the new specification introduced in September 2015.

There have been a lot of changes to A Levels and we strongly advise you read all the information below very carefully. There is a lot of information to take in and as such it is often better to speak to an advisor to discover everything you will need to know regarding exams, practicals and other important information you need to be aware of. If you make an enquiry, in the message box, please let us know a suitable time to give you a call.

This is a distance learning course designed to prepare you for sitting your A Level Biology exam. A full A Level is around 700 hours of study, be wary of courses of less time than this as they may well be missing important information.

Students are provided with up to 2 years support, but it is up to them how quickly they work through the course and when they choose to sit the exams.

For example.

Student A may decide to enrol in June and wish to obtain his full A Level by June the following year. He would set up his study timetable to complete the course and sit the exams 12 months later.

Student B may decide that they wish to study at a more relaxed pace and sit the exams 24 months later.

Each option is fine, you don't make that decision when you enrol as you have up to 2 years support regardless. This allows you to make a more informed decision later in the course.

Students are responsible for booking their exams. We provide you with a full list of centres across the country that you can do this at.

SUPPORT

During the course students are fully supported by a qualified tutor and a support team who are contactable by email and telephone respectively.

Throughout the course students will complete a series of assignments which they will email to their tutor. This allows the tutor to ensure you are picking things up correctly and iron out any problem areas.

There are also self-testing exercises spread throughout the course for students to gauge their progress.

METHOD OF STUDY

The course is available in both a paper and online format. The paper version is delivered to you by courier and is yours to keep, so you can write on it, highlight things, make notes etc.

The online course is presented in a cloud based learning system where you are able to access all of your course lessons, assignments and tutor correspondence in one place. You can download an app and access your course information on any device.

SYLLABUS

Topic 1: Biological Molecules

• Monomers and polymers
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Nucleic acids are important information-carrying molecules
• ATP
• Water
• Inorganic ions

Topic 2: Cells

• Cell Structure
• All cells arise from other cells
• Transport across cell membranes
• Cell recognition and the immune system

Topic 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment

• Surface area to volume ratio
• Gas exchange
• Digestion and absorption
• Mass transport

Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

• DNA, genes and chromosomes
• DNA and protein synthesis
• Genetic diversity can arise as a result of mutation or during meiosis
• Genetic diversity and adaptation
• Species and taxonomy
• Biodiversity within a community
• Investigating diversity

Topic 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms

• Photosynthesis
• Respiration
• Energy and ecosystems
• Nutrient cycles

Topic 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

• Stimuli, both internal and external, are detected and lead to a response
• Nervous coordination
• Skeletal muscles are stimulated to contract by nerves and act as effectors
• Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment

Topic 7: Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems

• Inheritance
• Populations
• Evolution may lead to speciation
• Populations in ecosystems

Topic 8: The control of gene expression

• Alteration of the sequence of bases in DNA can alter the structure of proteins
• Gene expression is controlled by a number of features
• Using genome projects
• Gene technologies allow the study and alteration of gene function allowing a better understanding of organism function and the design of new industrial and medical processes

EXAMS

Traditionally A Levels have consisted of two parts, the AS and the A2. Students would sit the AS exams at the end of the first year and A2 exams at the end of the second year.

That has now changed in England. Now, only the A2 exams count towards your final grade. AS exams can still be sat as standalone papers and would count 40% of an A Level, but once you sit the A2 exams the AS result no longer counts.

In Wales and Northern Ireland you would continue to sit AS exams as well as A2.

A2

Paper 1

Assessment details:-

• 35% of A-Level
• 91 marks
• 2 hour written exam

What is assessed?:-

• Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills

Paper 2

Assessment details:-

• 35% of A-Level
• 91 marks
• 2 hour written exam

What is assessed?:-

• Any content from topics 5-8, including relevant practical skills

Paper 3

Assessment details:-

• 30% of A-Level
• 78 marks
• 2 hour written exam

What is assessed?:-

• Any content from topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills

AS Exams (Mandatory in Wales and Northern Ireland only)

Paper 1

Assessment details:-

• 50% of the AS
• 75 marks
• 90 mins written exam

What is assessed?:-

• Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills

Paper 2

Assessment details:-

• 50% of the AS
• 75 marks
• 90 mins written exam

What is assessed?:-

• Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills

PRACTICALS

There are 12 practical assessments that should be taken alongside your studies. These assessments do not count towards your end grade, however, it is marked upon your certificate that you have completed them. Whilst you can choose not to take them it can effect you in a couple of ways. Firstly, many universities will not accept your A Level without the practical endorsement. Secondly, around 15% of the questions in your A2 exams will expecting you to have knowledge of these practical skills, hence if you don't complete them you can be struggling on those questions.

The practicals are usually taken in Spring. Not all exam centres will allow private candidates to register for the practicals so it is important to ensure you have found a centre before you commit to a course. Again, we can provide you with guidance with regards to this with a list of centres around the country, plus some recommended centres that definitely offer the practical service.

1. Investigation into the effect of a named variable on the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction
2. Preparation of stained squashes of cells from plant root tips; set-up and use of an optical microscope to identify the stages of mitosis in these stained squashes and calculation of a mitotic index
3. Production of a dilution series of a solute to produce a calibration curve with which to identify the water potential of plant tissue
4. Investigation into the effect of a named variable on the permeability of cell-surface membranes
5. Dissection of animal or plant gas exchange or mass transport system or of organ within such a system
6. Use of aseptic techniques to investigate the effect of antimicrobial substances on microbial growth
7. Use of chromatography to investigate the pigments isolated from leaves of different plants, e.g. leaves from shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant plants or leaves of different colours.
8. Investigation into the effect of a named factor on the rate of dehydrogenase activity in extracts of chloroplasts
9. Investigation into the effect of a named variable on the rate of respiration of cultures of single-celled organisms
10. Investigation into the effect of an environmental variable on the movement of an animal using either a choice chamber or a maze
11. Production of a dilution series of a glucose solution and use of colorimetric techniques to produce a calibration curve with which to identify the concentration of glucose in an unknown 'urine' sample
12. Investigation into the effect of a named environmental factor on the distribution of a given species

Students are recommended to possess the ability to read and write English to GCSE standards and be over 16 years of age. Grade C or above at GCSE is recommended also.

To find out more about this course click the 'Enquire now' button to contact the course provider. It is highly recommended you discuss the course with an advisor to ensure you have a full understanding of how it works and what you will need to do with regards to exams, practicals etc. Simply let us know in the message box the best time to contact you.