Is Biology for you?•

biologyExam Board: OCRBiology - AS/A2

Biology is often described as the

‘Science of Life’.

How did the incredible variety of

organisms on the planet evolve?

What is stem cell research and why is it

important?

You are fascinated by the natural world.

You like combining investigation, collecting and

analysing data, problem solving, practical skills

and socially relevant content.

Biology at A-Level could be essential if you want a

career in health and clinical professions.

Biology provides a useful complement to other

subjects including other Science subjects, Sports

studies and Maths.

You may wish to consider studying AS/A2 Maths,

AS Use of Maths or AS/A2 Statistics alongside this

subject to help you develop the necessary

mathematical skills required to study Biology.

It involves the study of a wide range of

exciting topics, ranging from molecular

biology to the study of ecosystems and

from microorganisms to mammoths.

You need to have achieved at least 5 GCSEs at

grade C or above, including at least a GCSE grade

BB in Double Award Science or a GCSE grade B in

Biology and at least one other Science. You will

also need at least a grade C in GCSE Maths.

Biology is never far from the headlines.

What will I learn?

How will I be

assessed?What activities can I get involved in?

The College has lots of exciting enrichment and C.V

building opportunities including the chance to earn the

Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, learn a new skill, learn a

language, join a club, take up or develop a sport or take on

a new challenge. See the College Prospectus for further

information about what is on offer.

Facebook.com/birkenheadsixthformcollege @BSFC

tel: 0151 652 5575 email: enrol@bsfc.ac.ukExpect more from your sixth form

bsfc.ac.uk

Where does it lead?

There are opportunities for visits to interesting and

relevant places and exhibitions which bring classroom

learning to life. This has included a trip to the ‘Bodies’

exhibition – a unique fusion of anatomy, science and

art – and also the Nowgen centre in Manchester

where students learn firsthand about developments in

biomedical science and have the opportunity to

participate in hands-on workshops. Some of our

students on the course have also had the opportunity

to take part in a Villiers Park residential course which

has helped to inspire and challenge them to consider

studying Biological Sciences further.

Cells, Exchange and Transport

AS Year

Molecules, Biodiversity,

Food and Health

A2 Year

You will study cells as the basic units of all living

things: how they communicate, divide and

become specialised to their function. You will also

develop an understanding of how the heart and

lungs are adapted for their functions and how

oxygen and nutrients are transported around the

body. Similarly you will examine the transport

systems found in plants.

You will discover the key biological molecules and

develop an understanding of their importance in

living organisms. You will also learn about diet

and enzymes, diseases and their control by the

immune system. You will also consider evolution

and how it has generated such a wide variety of

organisms.

Practical Skills

Throughout the course your practical skills will be

assessed by a series of qualitative, quantitative

and evaluative practical assessments. This will

contribute 20% towards your final AS mark (10%

of the overall A-level).

Practical Skills

This unit includes another series of practical

assessments contributing 20% to the A2 marks

(10% of overall A-level).

Communication, Homeostasis

and Energy

You will learn how organisms respond to changes

in their environment and the importance of

hormones and the nervous system in these

responses. This will involve learning about the key

features and functions of the liver, kidneys and

pancreas. This unit also allows you to further

develop your understanding of the fundamental

processes of photosynthesis and respiration.

You will discover how genes control the way in

which cells function. You will develop this by

studying how changes within genes lead to

variation, how variation provides the raw material

for evolution and how animal behaviour enhances

survival. You will also learn how ecosystems work

and how to manage them for sustainability and

conservation.

Control, Genomes and Environment

Most of your work (80%) will be assessed through

written exams at the end of the AS and A2 years.

Practical work (contributing 20% to your overall grade)

will be assessed through a series of practical activities

completed during lessons.

Students who study Biology A-Level gain many

transferable skills, including scientific method,

problem solving, data analysis and practical skills.

There are many careers for which Biology is either

essential or very useful. These include medicine,

nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, health education,

veterinary science, zoology, agriculture, pharmacy,

pharmacology, bio-chemistry, PE, Psychology,

speech therapy, forestry, biotechnology, food

science, microbiology, laboratory work, radiography

and teaching.