Course Code:
OCR Biology AS - H020
OCR Biology A Level - H420
Typical Entry Requirements:
2 × 6s from GCSE higher Science papers (including Biology) and a 6 in GCSE Maths.
Career Possibilities:
As well as the more obvious career links such as Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Ecology, Veterinary Medicine, etc., it is looked favourably upon for a large number of non-science careers and courses,
including Law, Computing, Accountancy, Teaching and Sports Science. This list is by no means exhaustive and there is a huge number of other careers and degree
courses which look favourably on Biology.
The Programme:
For the full A-Level to Year 13 biology students will study: Cell Structure and Microscopy; Biochemistry; Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids; Enzymes; Biological Membranes; Cell Division, Cell Diversity and Cellular Organisation; Exchange with the Environment; Transport in Animals; Transport in Plants; The Immune System and Disease; Biodiversity; Classification and Evolution. For the full A Level, all of the above topics are studied, plus: Communication and Homeostasis; Excretion; Nervous Communication; Hormonal Communication; Responses to Change; Photosynthesis; Respiration; Genetics and Cellular
Control; Patterns of Inheritance; Manipulating Genomes; Cloning and Biotechnology; Ecosystems; Populations and Sustainability.
During sixth form lessons, you will experience excellent teaching methods and styles such as demonstrations, practical work and one-to-one support. You will have the opportunity to take a greater responsibility for your own organisation and learning by completing independent study and reading journals.
A-Level Biology extends beyond the classroom. All students are required to complete the practical endorsement, which involves the development of experimental techniques and completing fieldwork. Students will examine the biodiversity of rivers and coastlines along with learning kore about organisations working in the conservation and preservation of species.
Why Study This Subject?:
Biology is the study of life and is therefore a very wide-ranging subject, examining the functioning and interdependence of living organisms from the molecular level, through the microscopic and whole-organism levels, to global issues of ecology and sustainability.
Biology is regarded as the youngest of the main sciences and every day there are new discoveries being made as more and more focus is given to biological research, which is a rapidly- expanding field. Many of the big challenges that face the world in the 21st century, such as coping with climate change, feeding an expanding population, combatting disease, etc. will all need to be answered with the help of biologists.
AS/A LEVEL COURSES
BTEC & LEVEL 3 COURSES
CAMBRIDGE TECHNICALS
LEVEL 3 COURSES
