Biology

Course summary

Biology allows you to ask questions about the world that we live in, and understand the living things that make it up, in greater detail. The skills that you develop during this course provide an excellent grounding for a wide variety of future degree courses and employment. Biology is an A-level that opens many different doors. It offers a diversity of opportunities leading to further studies in life science, medicine, environmental science, or forensic science, through biological-based employment such as biotechnology or the food industry. The course offers students the opportunity to further develop their practical skills and to learn about the applications and implications of biology, the benefits and risks that research brings and the ways in which society uses biology to make decisions. OCR Biology A-level is split into six modules: modules one to six, combined with the practical endorsement, constitute the full A-level. The modules can be summarised as: - Module 1: Development of Practical Skills This module, studied in Year 12 and Year 13, underpins the whole of the specification. The practical skills in this module are assessed in the written examinations and within the Practical Endorsement. GCSE Science prepares students for the practical skills required in the course. - Module 2: Foundations in Biology This module studied in Year 12 and Year 13 introduces students to the concepts required for all the other modules. Modules studied in Year 12 - Modules 3: Exchange and Transport This module covers exchange surfaces, transport in animals, and transport in plants. - Module 4: Biodiversity, Evolution, and Disease This module covers communicable diseases, disease prevention, the immune system, biodiversity, classification & evolution. Modules studied in Year 13 - Modules 5: Communication, Homeostasis, and Energy Covers communication, homeostasis, excretion as an example of homeostatic control, neuronal communication, hormonal communication, plant and animal responses, photosynthesis, and respiration. - Module 6: Genetics, Evolution, and Ecosystems This module covers cellular control, patterns of inheritance manipulating genomes, cloning, biotechnology, ecosystems, populations, and sustainability.