The Biology Department

Staff

Head of Biology - Mrs. C. Spaul
Teacher - Ms. D. Burke
Teacher - Mrs. A. Fashola
Teacher - Mrs. M. O'Conner

Syllabus

YEAR 12 – AS BIOLOGY

The AS Biology course is made up of three modules plus coursework:

MODULE	% OF TOTAL AS MARKS	CONTENT
Unit 1 – Core Principle	30	Biological molecules – carbohydrates, proteins, lipids etc Cell structure and transport Exchange of materials Enzymes Digestion
Unit 2 – Genes and Genetic Engineering	30	The genetic code The cell cycle Sexual reproduction Applications of gene technology
Unit 3 – Physiology and Transport	25	Transport systems in animals Control of breathing and heartbeat Energy can exercise Transport of substances in plants
Coursework	15	Based on a centre assessed piece of practical work

YEAR 13 – A2 BIOLOGY

Marks for the AS course account for 50% of the A2 Biology course which is then made up of three modules plus coursework:

MODULE	% OF TOTAL A2 MARKS	CONTENT
Unit 4 – Energy, Control and Continuity	15	Energy supply, respiration and photosynthesis Homeostasis and nervous coordination Muscle action Inheritance, variation, selection and evolution Classification
Unit 5 - Environment	7.5	Energy flow through ecosystems Recycling in ecosystems How the environment is studied Dynamics of populations in ecosystems How human activity has far-reaching effects on the environment
Coursework	7.5	Based on a centre assessed piece of practical work
Unit 7 – Microbes and Disease and Applying Biological Principles	20	Bacteria and viruses Culturing bacteria Commercial biotechnology Disease Disease protection

Why Study Biology?

Saving threatened species, studying microbes, growing organic plants for food, curing diseases?? The 21st Century offers many challenges to a biologist. Which ones are you interested in?

New knowledge in areas such as genetics, molecular biology, the environment and marine science have effects on human society and the environment all over the planet. The world moves quickly, in order to move with it and participate fully people need to be in the know!

Studying biology gives you the skills and opportunities to advance human knowledge and understanding in today’s world, in order to make a difference to tomorrow’s world.

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Whether you decide to work in:

a laboratory
a field
the ocean
a zoo
a classroom
a TV studio
in industry

You can make a contribution as a biologist. A background in biology gives you many skills and increases your career options so you can adapt to the world changing around you. Biology is always relevant to life!

And don’t worry! You will find that biology qualifications offer many career choices ranging from being a Prime Minister to a scuba diver!