A Level Biology is a facilitating subject that expands on the principles taught at GCSE and allows students to increase their knowledge and understanding of different topics through detail and use of relevant mathematical techniques and calculations.
The intent of the Year 12 Biology curriculum is to build upon the foundations established at GCSE and develop a deeper understanding of biological concepts at molecular, cellular and organismal levels. Students develop their ability to analyse, evaluate and apply biological knowledge to unfamiliar contexts, whilst refining practical and mathematical skills essential for further study in Biology and related disciplines.
The Year 12 course introduces students to the fundamental principles that underpin modern biological science. Students begin by studying biological molecules and cell structure before investigating how organisms exchange substances with their environment. They then explore genetic variation, inheritance, biodiversity and classification, developing an understanding of the relationships between organisms and the processes driving evolution.
We aim to:
Through engaging, practical lessons and real-world applications, pupils will begin to understand the relevance of biology to themselves, society, and the wider world.
Note: Students follow the AQA A Level Biology specification (7402). As students have two Biology subject teachers, there are separate topics taught concurrently. Students complete separate class notes and/or practical activities with each teacher. Topics are then separately assessed, though as the year goes on, it is expected that students can draw on their knowledge learned in earlier or concurrently learned course material to make links between topic areas.
Link to specification: AQA A Level Biology (7402) Specification – Biology AS and A-level Specification
Topic numbers in the table below refer to the identified topics in the specification linked above, under the ‘subject content’ section of the document.
Whilst studying the subject, students are loaned a copy of the AQA Biology Year 1 textbook by Glenn Toole. This contains Year 12 content that is laid out in 10 teaching chapters to easily be divided and covered by two subject teachers, and align with the topics in the specification. AQA Biology: A Level Year 1 and AS (AQA A Level Sciences 2015): Amazon.co.uk: Toole, Glenn, Toole, Susan: 9780198351764: Books
Knowledge:
Students study the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, ATP and water, collectively referred to as biological molecules. They develop an understanding of enzyme action and factors affecting enzyme-controlled reactions. Students then investigate cell structure, including ultrastructure, microscopy, cell membranes and membrane transport. They learn how cells divide through mitosis and how substances move into and out of cells by diffusion, osmosis and active transport. Students also develop their understanding from GCSE Biology and further explore the topic of immunity. This involves in-depth study of phagocytosis, lymphocyte mechanisms and vaccination programmes.
Skills:
Students develop practical skills including microscope use, slide preparation, observation of cells and investigation of membrane transport to include diffusion and osmosis experiments. They determine experimental variables, follow provided methodology, analyse graphical and experimental data, perform calculations involving magnification and surface area to volume ratio, and evaluate experimental methods.
Useful Links
Biology AS and A-level Specification
A Level Biology Revision (Seneca Learning)
A-Level Biology Past Papers – PMT
A Level Biology Revision (Save My Exams)
A-Level Biology (AQA) (Cognito)
Assessments:
Regular retrieval practice, exam-style questions and practical skills assessments are used throughout the term. Â Students complete a formal end-of-chapter assessment following each topic area in section 3.1 & 3.2 of the specification. This is aligned with the chapters in the AQA A Level Biology Year 1 textbook. Teaching and therefore assessment points are separated into: Biological molecules, Nucleic acids, Cells, Transport across cell membranes and Cell recognition and the Immune System.
Practical competencies are monitored through required practical activities and written lab book work. Feedback focuses on application of knowledge, use of scientific terminology, decoding exam questions/command words and examination technique.
Knowledge:
Students investigate the exchange of substances within and between organisms and their environment. Topics include surface area to volume ratios, gas exchange in insects, fish and humans, digestion and absorption of named biological molecules, mass transport systems in mammals, blood vessels, haemoglobin, the cardiac cycle and the role of the lungs in gas exchange. Students also study transport systems in plants, including xylem and phloem, examining transpiration, translocation and the mass flow hypothesis.
Students also study DNA, genes and chromosomes, DNA replication and protein synthesis. They investigate genetic diversity, biodiversity and adaptation before exploring species classification, taxonomy and modern molecular evidence for classification. Students develop an understanding of variation, meiosis and inheritance, as well as evolutionary relationships. Linked to the topic of biodiversity, statistical tests are also learned whereby students are expected to identify and justify correct use of appropriate statistical tests and utilise appropriate tools to carry out the tests related to experimental data.
Skills:
Students interpret physiological data such as that of the cardiac cycle, analyse experimental evidence to determine the effect of risk factors on cardiac and pulmonary health. They also apply mathematical skills to biological contexts. Practical work develops competence in dissections, investigations of gas exchange, and analysis of cardiovascular data. Students practise extended writing and evaluation of evidence.
Furthermore, students interpret genetic diagrams, analyse DNA and protein data, construct genetic crosses and apply statistical techniques to biological data. Students evaluate scientific evidence and develop skills in interpreting evolutionary and biodiversity data from a variety of sources. They also utilise wider practical skills developed across the course of Year 12 to plan, hypothesise, design, carry out and collect & analyse results from an experimental investigation of their choice, linked to the topic of biodiversity.
Useful Links
Biology AS and A-level Specification
A Level Biology Revision (Seneca Learning)
A-Level Biology Past Papers – PMT
A Level Biology Revision (Save My Exams)
A-Level Biology (AQA) (Cognito)
Assessments:
Regular retrieval practice, exam-style questions and practical skills assessments are used throughout the term. Students complete a formal end-of-chapter assessment following each topic area in section 3.3 & 3.4 of the specification. This is aligned with the chapters in the AQA A Level Biology textbook. Teaching and therefore assessment points are separated into: Exchange, Mass Transport, DNA, genes & protein synthesis, Genetic diversity and Biodiversity.
Practical competencies are monitored through required practical activities and written lab book work. Feedback focuses on application of knowledge, use of scientific terminology, decoding exam questions/command words and examination technique.
Students use assessment feedback and topic checklists to monitor progress and identify areas requiring further development in preparation for Year 13 and Paper 1 content.
The intent of the Year 13 Biology curriculum is to build upon the knowledge and skills developed during Year 12 and extend students’ understanding of biological systems at organismal, cellular and molecular levels. Students are encouraged to review and further develop learned concepts from across the A Level course, applying their knowledge to increasingly demanding contexts and developing the analytical and evaluative skills required for success in higher education and scientific careers.
The Year 13 course focuses on the regulation and coordination of organisms, energy transfers within ecosystems, responses to environmental change and the control of gene expression. Students investigate how organisms detect and respond to changes in their internal and external environments, explore the complex interactions that maintain life, and examine how advances in molecular biology and genetics are transforming modern medicine and biotechnology.
We aim to:
Through engaging, practical lessons and real-world applications, pupils will begin to understand the relevance of biology to themselves, society, and the wider world.
Note: Students follow the AQA A Level Biology specification (7402). As students have two Biology subject teachers, there are separate topics taught concurrently. Students complete separate class notes and/or practical activities with each teacher. Topics are then separately assessed, though students are increasingly expected to draw together knowledge from across the entire A Level course and make synoptic links between topic areas.
Link to specification: AQA A Level Biology (7402) Specification – Biology AS and A-level Specification
Topic numbers in the table below refer to the identified topics in the specification linked above, under the ‘subject content’ section of the document.
Whilst studying the subject, students are loaned a copy of the AQA Biology A-Level textbook by Glenn Toole. This contains both Year 12 and Year 13 content that is laid out in 21 teaching chapters to easily be divided and covered by two subject teachers, and align with the topics in the specification. AQA Biology: A Level Student Book: Amazon.co.uk: Toole, Glenn, Toole, Susan: 9780198351771: Books
Knowledge:
Students study photosynthesis, including the light-dependent and light-independent reactions, factors affecting photosynthetic rate and the adaptations of chloroplasts. They investigate respiration in detail, examining glycolysis, the link reaction, the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Students also explore nutrient cycles and examine how energy is transferred through ecosystems. Ecosystem productivity is also covered, with a focus on agricultural ecosystems and the trade-off between maximising productivity and the environmental implications this causes.
They also investigate inheritance, probabilities in genetic crosses. This is followed by population genetics, natural selection and evolution, Hardy-Weinberg principles, succession, ecosystem dynamics and conservation of habitats.
Skills:
Students use a variety of apparatus to plan, carry out, collect data and evaluate the limitations of practical experiments in the topic areas of photosynthesis and respiration. They apply mathematical and statistical techniques to population genetics and ecological data to analyse experimental findings. They undertake ecological investigations, use quadrats and transects, conduct statistical analysis and develop confidence in determining statistical significance.
Useful Links
Biology AS and A-level Specification
A Level Biology Revision (Seneca Learning)
A-Level Biology Past Papers – PMT
A Level Biology Revision (Save My Exams)
A-Level Biology (AQA) (Cognito)
Assessments:
Regular retrieval practice, exam-style questions and practical skills assessments are used throughout the term. Students complete a formal end-of-chapter assessment following each topic area in section 3.5 & 3.7 of the specification. This is aligned with the chapters in the AQA A Level Biology textbook. Teaching and therefore assessment points are separated into: Photosynthesis, Respiration, Energy and ecosystems, Inherited change, Populations and evolution and Populations in ecosystems.
Practical competencies are monitored through required practical activities and written lab book work. Feedback focuses on application of knowledge, use scientific terminology, decoding exam questions/command words and examination technique.
Knowledge:
Students study different response types for survival in simple organisms. They then develop an understanding of nervous coordination and muscle contraction. Topics include nerve cells, action potentials, synaptic transmission, neuromuscular junctions, skeletal muscle structure and movement. They study homeostatic mechanisms including blood glucose regulation, diabetes, the role of the pancreas, liver and hormones. Furthermore, students explore the control of gene expression, investigating how genes are switched on and off, gene mutations, epigenetics, stem cells, genome projects and modern genetic technologies. They examine developments in biotechnology, gene therapy and personalised medicine, considering both scientific and ethical implications.
Skills:
Students carry out practical investigations to determine environmental preferences of simple organisms, such as maggots. They apply mathematical and statistical techniques to determine the statistical significance of observed behaviours in organisms, with reference to p values and null hypotheses. Students also critically evaluate modern technologies, such as that of the use of embryonic stem cells in the treatment of disease, using evidence-based reasoning.
Useful Links
Biology AS and A-level Specification
A Level Biology Revision (Seneca Learning)
A-Level Biology Past Papers – PMT
A Level Biology Revision (Save My Exams)
A-Level Biology (AQA) (Cognito)
Assessments:
Regular retrieval practice, exam-style questions and practical skills assessments are used throughout the term. Students complete a formal end-of-chapter assessment following each topic area in section 3.6 & 3.8 of the specification. This is aligned with the chapters in the AQA A Level Biology textbook. Teaching and therefore assessment points are separated into: Response to stimuli, Nervous co-ordination and muscles, Homeostasis, Gene expression and Recombinant DNA technology. Feedback focuses on application of knowledge, use of scientific terminology, decoding exam questions/command words and examination technique.
Students undertake regular synoptic assessments that draw together content from across Years 12 and 13. Revision activities, past paper practice and targeted intervention support students in preparation for Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 examinations.
Practical competencies are monitored through required practical activities and written lab book work.
Exam Board:
AQA
Course Code:
7402
