Biology - A Level

The A Level Biology course at Heckmondwike Grammar School teaches to the Edexcel Biology B specification. The course covers a wide range of subjects including structure and function of biological molecules, animal and plant physiology, microorganisms and their use in industry, evolution and ecology and ecosystems. Students will not only gain knowledge of these areas but also be taught valuable practical skills relevant to a range of laboratory or field based vocations.

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Course Content Year 12 Unit 1 Biochemistry Water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, DNA, genes, mutations, viruses Unit 2 Cells Eukaryotes, prokaryotes, microscopes, membranes and transport Unit 3 Reproduction Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, chromosome mutations, sexual reproduction in mammals, sexual reproduction in plants Unit 4 Transport Gas exchange, circulatory system, heart, blood vessels, haemoglobin, blood clotting, cardiovascular disease, water transport in plants, sugar transport in plants Unit 5 Biodiversity Classification, natural selection, speciation, biodiversity, conservation For Year 13 content and further details, see subject booklet as above.

Assessment Paper 1 1h 45min written exam on units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 90 marks (30% of total A level) Paper 2 1h 45min written exam on units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 90 marks (30% of total A level) Paper 3 2h 30min written exam on all 10 units 120 marks (40% of total A level)

Minimum requirements for admission to the Sixth Form:

• A grade 5 in Mathematics .
• A grade 5 in English Language or English Literature .
• Achieving at least 3 other GCSEs at grade 6 or above.

Subject specific requirement

• Grade 6 in Biology or 66 in Science
• Grade 6 in Mathematics.

Career Opportunities Most of our Biology students go on to study medical-related degrees such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, radiography, pharmacology, pharmacy, optometry and various biomedical science courses. Many others follow biology-related degrees such as natural sciences, biology, biochemistry, genetics, ecology, microbiology and zoology. Our students go to universities all over the country and even abroad, and each year we send students to Oxford or Cambridge.