Biology

If you have a natural curiosity about the world and a desire to understand it, then Biology is for you. The course is varied; topics covered ranging from biochemistry to human disease and environmental biology. Students learn to make close observations, collect and analyse data and make scientific conclusions.  Above all students will be taught to appreciate the complex and amazing ways in which living things work.

Entry requirements: Grade 6-6 in Combined Science or Grade 6 in Biology, Grade 5 in Maths. If you are taking Foundation Science, please speak to your Biology teacher.

Assessment: The OCR specification has a greater emphasis on understanding and application than on recall.  Biology will be assessed in terminal written exams covering; Exchange and transport systems; biodiversity, evolution and disease; communications, homeostasis and energy; genetics, evolution and ecosystems.  Practical skills will be assessed within the written papers as well as students completing at least 12 practical activities to demonstrate practical competence.  Practical competence is assessed by teachers and awarded a separate pass or fail.

Progression: You may want to study Biology out of sheer enthusiasm for the subject or have a particular career in mind. Whatever the reason the range of careers it will open up to you is enormous: Medicine, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Genetic engineering, Physiotherapy, Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Health Care, and many more. Within Biological university courses, the choice is enormous – there isn’t the space to begin to describe them here. Seek advice!