A Level Biology

If you have enjoyed Biology at GCSE it should continue to develop your interest in and enthusiasm for Biology and will be excellent preparation for either further study and/or careers associated with the subject.

Exam Board: OCR

The course is divided into six modules:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in Biology via 12 key practical activities

Module 2: Foundations in Biology – cells, biological molecules, DNA, enzymes

Module 3: Exchange and Transport

Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease

Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy

Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

You will be provided with a course textbook, but there are also some other fantastic textbooks which would support your studies.

If you see any one of these going cheap they are worth getting:

Advanced Biology : Michael Kent – Oxford University Press

Advanced Biology: M Jones and G Jones – Cambridge University Press.

Introduction to advanced biology: C J Clegg – John Murray

The course is assessed via three exam papers and a practical endorsement

Biological processes – 2 hour 15 minutes exam testing units 1, 2, 3 and 5 (37%)

Biological diversity - 2 hour 15 minutes exam testing units 1, 2, 4 and 6 (37%)

Unified biology – 1 hour 30 minutes exam testing understanding of all 6 units (26%)

Practical endorsement in biology – reported separately

Grades 66 in Combined Science or grades 666 in separate Sciences and grade 6 in GCSE Maths.