Sixth Form Biology
The Science department vision is to spark passion in our students for Science in the way that the universe works and how life is developed and maintained.
Students should be leaving lessons feeling inspired by new knowledge that links them to everyday life and the future. We teach three different disciplines which require broad substantive knowledge and deep disciplinary knowledge in Biology, Physics and Chemistry which varies from topic to topic. We anticipate all students maturing to devise insightful and key links between topics not just intra-disciplinary, but interdisciplinary. A successful curriculum has not only the capacity to build young scientists who can make links, but to inspire students to take those links even further. Students should be able to challenge both previous and current ideas and produce well-informed discussions as part of their learning to show a fluency in the language that science is. We strive to encourage students to continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings and ultimately intend on making young scientists out of every student
Course Details
A Level Biology A – H420, OCR
Specification – https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/171736-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-biology-a-h420.pdf
Course Description
Our new A Level in Biology A allows students to develop relevant practical skills alongside essential knowledge and understanding of a range of biological concepts and scientific methods. Biological mathematics and problem-solving skills can be fully integrated into teaching and learning.
Programme of Study
The following topics are studied in A level Biology:
Module 1: Development of Practical Skills
This unit includes the practical endorsement and is worked on throughout the two years of the course.
Year 12
Module 2: Foundations in Biology
- Cell Structure
- Biological Molecules
- Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
- Enzymes
- Biological Membranes
- Cell Division and Organisation
Module 3: Exchange and Transport
- Exchange and Transport in Animal and Plants
Module 4: Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease
- Disease and the Immune Syste
- Classification and Evolution
- Biodiversity
Year 13
Module 5: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy
- Communication and Homeostasis
- Excretion
- Animal Responses
- Plant Responses and Hormones
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
Module 6: Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems
- Cellular Control
- Patterns of Inheritance
- Evolution
- Manipulating Genomes
- Cloning and Biotechnology
- Ecosystems
- Populations and Sustainability
During year 12/13 pupils have the opportunity to complete the field study areas of the course and practical endorsements at the Crandedale Centre in Yorkshire. This is a compulsory trip. On the course pupils will learn a range of skills and use equipment that is unavailable to us at School as well as study habitats such as Rocky Shores and Moorland that we cannot access here. Whilst there we use this opportunity to study aspects of unit 6 in a practical setting including Ecosystems and Populations by comparing data collected during the day and Sustainability when looking at sustainable forestry and fishing. Cranedale centre: http://www.cranedale.com
Assessment
Biological Processes Exam (01)
- 100 marks
- 2 hours 15 minutes
- 37% of overall A level
- Assesses content from modules 1,2,3 and 5
Biological Diversity Exam (02)
- 100 marks
- 2 hours 15 minutes
- 37% of overall A level
- Assesses content from modules 1,2,4 and 6
Unified Biology Exam (03)
- 70 marks
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- 26% of overall A level
- Assesses content from all modules (1-6)
Practical Endorsement in Biology (04)
- Non-exam assessment
All components include synoptic assessment.
Students must complete all components (01, 02, 03, and 04) to be awarded the OCR A Level in Biology A.
Home Learning
Students are provided with regular extra reading and home learning tasks to consolidate their learning and exam questions to check understanding and progress as well as give ample opportunity to practise for the examinations and allow useful revision. Students should also have access to textbooks to complete independent work at home.
Where can Biology take you
Science can not only lead you down a broad range of careers and further study but it can lead you into lifelong passions and hobbies. Science is an absolute key player in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects. Whilst people follow science careers because they feel like they have an affinity for science, or an ambition, or just pure interest in the sciences, it is common knowledge that the careers are some of the top paying and most respectable in the world, whether to be an Engineer, a Researcher, or a vital role in the NHS.
Further Study
Degrees in:
- Biology
- Zoology
- Animal Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Medicine
- Forensic Science
- ….. and many more
Biology opens up several career paths including:
- Engineer
- Researcher
- Medicine
- Marine Biology
- Forensic Science
- Conservation Biology and Ecology
- Veterinarian Medicine
How can parents support their child’s learning
Parents can encourage their children to study and read outside of the lessons to both embellish and consolidate their learning.
Parents can regularly check Show My Homework to check homework and any other notices, and should also be reading the Parentmail sent out each week for any key information.
Parents can also encourage their children to be completing extra revision at home and ensuring students are equipped with pens, pencils, rulers and calculators for every science lesson as a minimum.
Useful Links
Textbooks
- Jones and Jones, Advanced Biology. – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Biology-Human-Mary-Jones/dp/0521484731
- Garath Williams, Advanced biology for you. – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Biology-Human-Mary-Jones/dp/0521484731
- Ann Fullick, A level Biology for OCR Student book – https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Level-Biology-Student-Book-Science/0198351925/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500290956&sr=1-3&keywords=oxford+press+A+level+biology
Many second hand copies are available on Amazon and are usually in very good condition
Revision Guides
- CGP A Level Biology for OCR
- CGP Head start to A Level Biology
- CGP A Level Biology: Essential Maths Skills
All these books are available to purchase from your Biology Teachers
Websites
- An interactive cell biology site – org/virtualcell/index.htm
- A web site showing illustrations of many processes of biotechnology – org/RC/VL/GG
- Visit the world of electron-microscopy – oz.au/nanoworld
- Explore the genetic code – http://www.dnai.org/a/index.html
- Details of the history of the best scientific discoveries – org
- The site of the scientific journal –com
- Podcasts, news and interviews with scientists about recent scientific developments – org
- London Natural History Museum’s website with lots of interesting educational material – ac.uk
- The website of the British Medical Journal – com
- The BBC news page for Science – co.uk/news/science_and_environment
- Seneca Learning – https://www.senecalearning.com/en-GB/
- Physicsandmathtutor – https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/biology-revision/a-level-ocr-a/
- Khan academy – https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology
For more information contact Mrs. Armitage, Head of Science, Townsend Church of England School.
