Biology
Head of Science and Technology: P.C. Clark, BSc (London) ARCS CPhys MinstP
Head of Department: A.E. Langsdale, BSc (Bristol) MSc (Aberdeen)
Course Specification: AQA 2410/2411
Biology in the Sixth Form is much less content-driven than in the Lower School. Much more time is spent reflecting, creating and learning. The Sixth Form course takes in both contemporary themes, such as gene technology, the human genome project, biotechnology and the control and regulation of gene expression, as well as more traditional areas, such as biochemistry, ecology and aspects of human and animal physiology. The content of the IGCSE course is developed further but several areas will be completely new. There is a strong tradition of practical work in the Department and all pupils will be well practised in all the required practical skills before the elements of practical assessment are required to be completed.
Pattern of Assessment
| AS Unit 1 BIOL1 Biology & Disease 1¼ hours written exam [16%] |
Themes include cell structure, transport across membranes, molecular structure and how this relates to or is affected by pathogens such as Cholera. |
| AS Unit 2 BIOL2 The Variety of Living Organisms 1¾ hours written exam [23%] |
A wide-ranging module that contains the structure of DNA and cell replication, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and a variety of related topics. |
| AS Unit 3 BIOL3 Investigative and Practical Skills practical work [10%] |
A single investigative skills assignment and practical skills assessment. |
| A2 Unit 4 BIOL4 Populations and the Environment 1½ hours written exam [16%] |
Ecology of populations, the factors that affect populations of different species, their interaction with the biotic and abiotic environment and how all these interact. |
| A2 Unit 5 BIOL5 Control in Cells and Organisms 2¼ hours written exam [23%] |
Regulation at the molecular, cellular, organ and organismal level. |
| A2 Unit 6 BIOL6 Investigative and Practical Skills practical work [10%] |
A single investigative skills assignment and practical skills assessment. |
Pupils taking Biology to AS only complete their exams in the Trinity Quarter of the Lower Sixth.