Course Description
Do you need an A Level to get into University?
We offer a range of A Levels where we guarantee to prioritise the marking of your coursework so you are fully ready to take your exams in June of each year.
An Advanced Level in Biology is a perfect qualification for those wishing to acquire knowledge and understanding of the subject to enable them to study at a higher level at university. It also provides a progression route for further training whilst in employment.
This specification is designed to encourage candidates to develop: an enthusiasm for biology practical skills alongside understanding of concepts and principles: an appropriate and relevant foundation of knowledge and skills for the study of biology in Higher Education AS Level.
Please Note:
This course covers the new 2015 specification. As a result of the updated specification the first opportunity you will have to complete the exam for this course will be June 2017.
For more information please don’t hesitate to contact one of our course advisors.
How Science Works
An understanding of How Science Works is a requirement. How Science Works is an underpinning set of concepts and is the means whereby students come to understand how scientists investigate scientific phenomena in their attempts to explain the world about us. Moreover, How Science Works recognises the contribution scientists have made to their own disciplines and to the wider world.
Modules
The AQA A Level Biology specification is structured into eight topics, assessed across three examinations. This course has been designed to reflect this, and will take students through each topic, as listed below:
Topic 1: Biological molecules
Topic 2: Cells
Topic 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment
Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
Topic 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms
Topic 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
Topic 7: Genetic populations, evolution and ecosystems
Topic 8: The control of gene expressions
Previous Knowledge
Minimum of GCSE grade C or above. Candidates will be required to have an understanding of the following terms: molecule, ion, compound element, isomer, isotope, oxidation, bond, reduction, hydrolysis, condensation, and wavelength.
Assessment
Paper 1
35% of A-Level
91 marks
Written exam: 2 hours
What is assessed?:
Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills
Questions:
76 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
15 marks = Extended response questions
Paper 2
35% of A-Level
91 marks
Written exam: 2 hours
What is assessed?:
Any content from topics 5-8, including relevant practical skills
Questions:
76 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
15 marks = Extended response questions
Paper 3
30% of A-Level
78 marks
Written exam: 2 hours
What is assessed?:
Any content from topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills
Questions:
38 marks = Structured questions, including practical techniques
15 marks = Critical analysis of given experimental data
25 marks = One essay from a choice of two titles
Practical Assessment
Your A Level grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to receive your A Level you must also undergo a separate endorsement of 12 practical skills. These are listed below:
- Use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements (to include mass, time, volume, temperature, length and pH)
- Use appropriate instrumentation to record quantitative measurements, such as colorimeter or polotemeter
- Use laboratory glassware apparatus for a variety of experimental techniques to include serial dilutions
- Use of a light microscope at high power and low power, including use of graticule
- Produce scientific drawing from observation with annotations
- Use qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules
- Separate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography or electrophoresis
- Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses/ physiological functions
- Use microbial aseptic techniques, including the use of agar plates and broth
- Safely use instruments for dissection of an animal organ, or plant organ
- Use sampling techniques in fieldwork
- Use ICT such as computer modelling, or data logger to collect data, or use software to process data
Please note: Students are fully responsible for the arrangement and funding of any examinations required.
Awarding Organisation
AQA (The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) has a leading reputation for promoting education for the public benefit and draws on long experience of setting and marking public exams such as GCSEs, A-levels and other qualifications. AQA is the largest of the three English exam boards, awarding 49% of full course GCSEs and 42% of A-levels nationally. In total, students take over 3.5 million exams with them each year.
Support
The course comes to you as a proper paper-based pack, not as an electronic password
The course materials and support will be provided by UKDLP
You will get full tutor support via email
You will receive feedback on your assignments from our experienced tutors
You will be given guidance through the Study Guide on the nuts and bolts of studying and submitting assignments
Postal assignments cannot be accepted without prior permission from the tutor
You must have access to email in order to contact your tutor.
Our A Levels come with tutor support for 24 months.
You will have access to a tutor via our student portal who will mark your work and guide you through the course to help you be ready for your examinations. In addition you will be supplied with a comprehensive Study Guide which will help you through the study and assessment process.
Course Description
Do you need an A Level to get into University?
We offer a range of A Levels where we guarantee to prioritise the marking of your coursework so you are fully ready to take your exams in June of each year.
An Advanced Level in Biology is a perfect qualification for those wishing to acquire knowledge and understanding of the subject to enable them to study at a higher level at university. It also provides a progression route for further training whilst in employment.
This specification is designed to encourage candidates to develop: an enthusiasm for biology practical skills alongside understanding of concepts and principles: an appropriate and relevant foundation of knowledge and skills for the study of biology in Higher Education AS Level.
Please Note:
This course covers the new 2015 specification. As a result of the updated specification the first opportunity you will have to complete the exam for this course will be June 2017.
For more information please don’t hesitate to contact one of our course advisors.
How Science Works
An understanding of How Science Works is a requirement. How Science Works is an underpinning set of concepts and is the means whereby students come to understand how scientists investigate scientific phenomena in their attempts to explain the world about us. Moreover, How Science Works recognises the contribution scientists have made to their own disciplines and to the wider world.
Previous Knowledge
Minimum of GCSE grade C or above. Candidates will be required to have an understanding of the following terms: molecule, ion, compound element, isomer, isotope, oxidation, bond, reduction, hydrolysis, condensation, and wavelength.
Assessment
Paper 1
35% of A-Level
91 marks
Written exam: 2 hours
What is assessed?:
Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills
Questions:
76 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
15 marks = Extended response questions
Paper 2
35% of A-Level
91 marks
Written exam: 2 hours
What is assessed?:
Any content from topics 5-8, including relevant practical skills
Questions:
76 marks = A mixture of short and long answer questions
15 marks = Extended response questions
Paper 3
30% of A-Level
78 marks
Written exam: 2 hours
What is assessed?:
Any content from topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills
Questions:
38 marks = Structured questions, including practical techniques
15 marks = Critical analysis of given experimental data
25 marks = One essay from a choice of two titles
Practical Assessment
Your A Level grade will be based on your written examinations. However, in order to receive your A Level you must also undergo a separate endorsement of 12 practical skills. These are listed below:
- Use appropriate apparatus to record a range of quantitative measurements (to include mass, time, volume, temperature, length and pH)
- Use appropriate instrumentation to record quantitative measurements, such as colorimeter or polotemeter
- Use laboratory glassware apparatus for a variety of experimental techniques to include serial dilutions
- Use of a light microscope at high power and low power, including use of graticule
- Produce scientific drawing from observation with annotations
- Use qualitative reagents to identify biological molecules
- Separate biological compounds using thin layer/paper chromatography or electrophoresis
- Safely and ethically use organisms to measure plant or animal responses/ physiological functions
- Use microbial aseptic techniques, including the use of agar plates and broth
- Safely use instruments for dissection of an animal organ, or plant organ
- Use sampling techniques in fieldwork
- Use ICT such as computer modelling, or data logger to collect data, or use software to process data
Please note: Students are fully responsible for the arrangement and funding of any examinations required.
Support
The course comes to you as a proper paper-based pack, not as an electronic password
The course materials and support will be provided by UKDLP
You will get full tutor support via email
You will receive feedback on your assignments from our experienced tutors
You will be given guidance through the Study Guide on the nuts and bolts of studying and submitting assignments
Postal assignments cannot be accepted without prior permission from the tutor
You must have access to email in order to contact your tutor.
Our A Levels come with tutor support for 24 months.
You will have access to a tutor via our student portal who will mark your work and guide you through the course to help you be ready for your examinations. In addition you will be supplied with a comprehensive Study Guide which will help you through the study and assessment process.
Modules
The AQA A Level Biology specification is structured into eight topics, assessed across three examinations. This course has been designed to reflect this, and will take students through each topic, as listed below:
Topic 1: Biological molecules
Topic 2: Cells
Topic 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment
Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
Topic 5: Energy transfers in and between organisms
Topic 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
Topic 7: Genetic populations, evolution and ecosystems
Topic 8: The control of gene expressions
Awarding Organisation
AQA (The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) has a leading reputation for promoting education for the public benefit and draws on long experience of setting and marking public exams such as GCSEs, A-levels and other qualifications. AQA is the largest of the three English exam boards, awarding 49% of full course GCSEs and 42% of A-levels nationally. In total, students take over 3.5 million exams with them each year.
