Sixth Form: Biology

Subject Overview

A level Biology is the ideal subject for those young people whom find themselves asking “…but why?” In Biology we combine the knowledge of theories connected to plants, animals and single celled organisms, and apply them to multiple settings and scenarios. Integrated into this is the development and application of a range of specific skills, both practical and analytical.

Entry Requirements

  • Grade 6 or higher in Biology or 6-6 in Double Science and Grade 6 in Maths is desirable

Syllabus (Course Outline and Structure)

We follow the OCR Biology A syllabus.
The course compromises six modules, practical assessments and examination by three papers at the end of the course.

The six modules are:

  1. Development of Practical Skills
  2. Foundations in Biology
  3. Exchange and Transport
  4. Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease
  5. Communications, Homeostasis and Energy
  6. Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems

The first two modules are examined in both of the first two exams as they are the underliying principles which can be applied to all Biological theories.
Paper 1 also contains work from modules 3 and 5, and paper 2 contains work from modules 4 and 6.
There is then a final paper which covers work from all 6 modules, and examines the pupils practical knowledge.

There are a series of essential practical assessments which will run throughout the year.

Activities and trips

During the course there will be trips for the purpose of teaching the ecological aspects of the course.

Expected Costs

There will be a cost of purchasing the text book and the cost of the trips.

Complementary Subject Combinations and Enrichment Activities

There is a large chemical and mathematical content to this course, and therefore combinations with other sciences and maths can be advantageous.

Subject Resources

Useful Links

This web link is for the specification, past papers and examiners’ reports for the course:-

This web link is for previous years’ past papers which are useful for revision purposes because the specification followed is relatively new:-