Biology

 

Christ the King has been successfully teaching the “new style” A Level for 8 years. The content has been radically updated to provide an emphasis upon more relevant and modern Biology. This means less work on plants, for example, than is usually the case, and a lot more content to do with the human body, medial aspects of Biology, forensic science etc. The entire course is supported by attractive materials available just to students of the course on a dedicated website. This means that interactive presentations seen in class can be viewed again from home.



First Year (AS year)

 

You will be taught 2 units for your first year. Unit 1 looks at health and lifestyle, with particular reference to the heart and circulatory system. Main concepts are:

- Structure of the heart

- Structure of arteries veins and capillaries

- The cardiac cycle

- How tissue fluid is made

- What is Cardio vascular disease?

- How can you prevent Cardio vascular disease?

- What is the structure of carbohydrates?

 

The second part of Unit 1 looks at basic biological principles which are explained through the study of cystic fibrosis. Here the main concepts are: -

Structure of Amino acids

- Condensation and hydrolysis reactions

- Structure of Proteins

- Structure of DNA and RNA

- Protein synthesis (Transcription and translation)

- Cell membrane structure

- Passage of molecules through cell membranes

- Mendelian genetics and mutations

- What goes wrong with patients that have Cystic fibrosis

- Ethics of using genetic technology

 

Unit 2 considers the working of cells and the implications of recent developments in cell technology. Main concepts are:

- Cell structure

- Switching genes on and offBiology

- Cancer

- The cell cycle

- Mitosis and meiosis

 

The second half of Unit 2 looks at Biodiversity and Plant Biology. Main concepts are:

- Plant cell structure

- Cellulose structure

- Uses of plants in industry

- Plant transport

- Uses of water

- Plant minerals

- Antibiotics

- Natural selection and evolution

 

Unit 3 is the equivalent of “coursework”. A portfolio of practicals is built up during the year and a 1000-1500 word report is written on either a visit to a site of biological interest or a topical biological issue. Successful completion of these units will lead to an award at AS Level.

 

Second Year (A2 year)

 

If you choose to continue to A2 and therefore an Advanced level accreditation you will study a further 2 units. These 2 topics include the following:

Unit 4:

- Forensics and immunology. Learn how the body fights disease and what happens to living tissue after death

- On the wild side. Learn about photosynthesis and the passing on of energy through ecosystems

Unit 5:

- Muscle structure and function

- Joints and bone structure

- Respiration and the release of energy

- Drugs in sport and performance related activities

- Brain and perception

- Nervous impulses

- Different aspects of the brain function

- The third unit in the second year is a practical assessment. You will be expected to write a report, of up to 2000 words, on an experimental investigation you have devised and carried out.

 

How will I be assessed?

 

The assessment regime has also been completely rethought. You will sit an examination for each of the taught units in Years 12 and 13, including an examination that makes connections between the different areas of Biology. In Year 12, students choose an issue that they are interested in and produce a report in magazine format for a target audience.

 

In Year 13 students complete an individual investigation on a chosen topic. These are really the first opportunities students have to study the particular aspects of Biology that they are most interested in. In Year 12 there are a series of core practicals which must be studied – one of which will be assessed.

 

6Bi01 - Unit 1 Jun Year 12 40% of AS (20% A2) External exam

6BI02 – Unit 2 Jun Year 12 40% of AS (20% of A2) External exam

6Bi03 – Unit 3 Jun Year 12 20% of AS (10% of A2) Assessed essay

6Bi04 – Unit 4 Jun Year 13 20% of A2 External exam

6Bi05 – Unit 5 Jun Year 13 20% of A2 External exam

6Bi06 – Unit 6 Jun Year 13 10% of A2 Practical investigation coursework

 

How will I learn?

 

This course teaches Biology using real life contexts. As well as textbooks specifically written for each unit you will have access to support materials on the school’s intranet and dedicated website. These materials include: interactive tests for student self-assessment, interactive activities using models and links to relevant websites.

 

Entry Requirements

 

Route 1 – Grade B (or at least BB from Core and Additional Science)

Route 2 – Grade B (or at least BB from Core and Additional Science)

Route 3 – Not available

Route 4 – Not available

 

Career Opportunities

 

The knowledge and skills that you acquire in studying Biology will prepare you well for a wide variety of higher education opportunities, including Medicine, Nursing, Veterinary Science, Pharmacology, Physiotherapy, Sports Science. Biology also combines happily with subjects other than sciences and is often combined with Mathematics, Geography or Psychology. We currently offer students wishing to follow careers in Medicine and Veterinary Science the opportunity to experience a 4 day taster trip to become doctors and vets.