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Biology has led to major developments in areas such as food production, diagnosis and treatment of disease, enhancing sports performance, conservation and forensics.If you are fascinated by the way plants, animals, micro-organisms and humans work then this is the ideal course for you.A Level Biology will help you make sense of the living world around you. You will study the biology of plants and animals, human health and the wider natural environment. You will gain insights into how living organisms work and understand wider environmental issues in more detail.
Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language. You will also need a grade 5 or above in Mathematics and grade 6 or above in two Sciences.
On this two year course, you will study thefollowing:• Biological molecules• Cells• Organisms exchanging substances with their environment• Genetic information, variation and relationships, between organisms• Energy transfers in and between organisms• How organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments• Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems• The control of gene expression
You will be taught in well-equipped and serviced laboratories where a variety of learning opportunities and teaching styles will be provided through lectures, problem solving, data handling, experimental and observational tasks.The course also contains statistical analysis and other mathematical techniques. Fieldwork is carried out at specialist centres such as Leeson House in Dorset. You will have the opportunity to attend outreach events such as those run by the Universities of Portsmouth and Southampton.
The course is assessed through 100% exams. 10% of the assessment will contain mathematical skills equivalent to Level 2 or above. At least 15% will assess knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to practical work. In addition, you will carry out 12 required practicals to pass the Practical Endorsement.
This subject will prepare you for entry into Higher Education. It gives you the opportunityto study a number of university courses. These include Biomedical Science, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Conservation, Medicine, Sports Science and Veterinary Medicine.