OVERVIEW
Every single one of us is an example of the wonders of biology. There is not one aspect of your life in which biology does not play a part and to understand the subject is to understand oneself at the most basic level. There is always some part of biology that has a direct influence on each of our lives.
A Level Biology helps to foster and develop transferable problem-solving, analytical and evaluative skills that are so highly regarded by university admissions tutors and employers alike. It provides you with an opportunity to stretch yourself and to open your mind to a greater understanding of how every living thing around us comes to exist and interact with its environment.
For further information or to discuss in more detail, please contact:
Mr M Rodgers Head of Biologymrodgers@kgs.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter: @KGS_Science
How is the course assessed?
A Level Biology introduces you to areas that you will not have experienced before. Some of the topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, human physiology, epidemiology, ecology, neurobiology and genetics. All exams will take place at the end of the Upper Sixth year and there is no coursework or practical examination component. Instead, students will complete a number of required practical assessments (six in the Lower Sixth and six in the Upper Sixth) which will be assessed on a pass or fail basis by classroom teachers. This endorsement of practical skills will be separate to the A Level award.
A Level Biology is a ‘hands on’ learning adventure that addresses many of the questions you’ve always wanted to know the answers to. Students are encouraged to synthesise plausible explanations for some of life’s more puzzling questions such as: How exactly does the human heart keep beating for up to 3 billion times in a lifetime? Why do I seem to catch a cold every winter? How on earth can humans share 98% of their genes with apes?
You will be expected to work hard, to work independently, to write essays, to calculate and interpret statistics, to formulate your own ideas, to challenge accepted thought and achieve to the best of your ability. Biology is a difficult A Level subject and should never be considered the easy science…just the exciting one!
Examination board
AQA
Useful attributes
An enquiring mind and the ability to link ideas together is necessary to achieve the highest grades as well as regularly reading additional materials such as the Biological Sciences Review, New Scientist, Nature and the BMJ. A sound knowledge and understanding of all the topics covered at GCSE is important to fully access the course content at A Level.
Personal development
Students must learn to be self-reliant and be willing to take the initiative when studying A Level Biology. Literacy, numeracy and problemsolving skills will all develop through the study of the subject at this level and a significant emphasis on independent learning will prepare students effectively for the demands of university education. The Biology Department runs a biomedical extension class that seeks to broaden students’ experience beyond the syllabus and to consider some of the current ideas in the field.
Future directions
Biology ties in well with many other subjects, the obvious ones being Chemistry, Physics, Psychology and Geography as well as Mathematics and Sports Science – but Biology can also fit well with contrasting subjects such as Religion & Philosophy. Our subject opens up many different avenues for future study and careers. Doctors, dentists, nurses, dieticians, sports coaches, research scientists, teachers, oceanographers, pharmacologists, geneticists and conservationists all have an educational background in Biology.