WELCOME

TO A-LEVEL

BIOLOGY

So which teachers will be

teaching you in Year 12?

Mr Granville-West

Course Overview

We teach the OCR exam board Biology A

which is split into six modules:

Modules 1 to 6, combined with the

Practical Endorsement, constitute the full

A Level qualification (2 year course)

Course Overview – what will you

learn?– Module 1: Development of practical skills –

– this module underpins the whole of the specification, and covers the practical skills that students should develop throughout the course.

– You complete a minimum of 12 PAGs which focus on different practical skills

– It is pass or fail and does not contribute to your overall grade

– The practical skills in this module can be assessed within written examinations and (for A Level only) within the Practical Endorsement.

Task to have a go at- home

dissection

– Dissection is something most people enjoy doing and is

relatively simple. All you really need is a chopping board

and a sharp knife and maybe some gloves if your not overly

keen on touching it.

– Things you could dissect easily got from the supermarket:

– a chicken leg – leg and thigh –

– A heart –

– A whole, ungutted fish (might not be so easy at the

moment!

Year 12 Course Overview

Module 2: -Foundations in biology – covering concepts required

throughout the remaining modules.

Cell structure; Biological molecules; Nucleotides and nucleic acids;

Enzymes; Biological membranes; Cell division, Cell diversity and cellular

organization

Modules 3: Exchange and Transport

Exchange surfaces; Transport in animals; Transport in plants

Module 4: Biodiversity Evolution and Disease

Communicable diseases; disease prevention and the immune system;

Biodiversity; Classification and evolution.

Year 13 Course OverviewModules 5: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy

Communication and homeostasis; Excretion as an example of

homeostatic control; Neuronal communication; Hormonal

communication; Plant and animal responses; Photosynthesis;

Respiration.

Module 6: Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems

Cellular control; Patterns of inheritance; Manipulating genomes;

Cloning and biotechnology; Ecosystems; Populations and

sustainability

Assessment at A level (2 Year

Course)

Paper 1 assesses the content from Modules 1, 2, 3 and 5

A Level Paper 2 assesses the content from Modules 1, 2, 4 and 6

A Level Paper 3 assesses the content from Modules 1 to 6.

Minimum of 6 hours of exams at the end of A level

Course Materials and Expectations

–You will be provided with a

biology text book to help you

study at the start of year 12.

–You will be expected to bring

your text book with you to all

lessons.

–There are also biology and

maths revision guides which

you are strongly encouraged

to get.

Course Materials and Expectations

–You will be provided with

an A4 exercise book for

classwork, completing

questions and homework.

–A ring binder folder would

also be useful to keep your

notes safe and organised

Homework

– You will be set 1 homework a week.

– Formative and summative tests

– Written homework must be handed in on the deadline set by your teacher.

Edmodo will help you with deadline reminders (check your edmodo

calendars and the notice board)

– You should always attempt your homework in advance of the deadline so

that you can ask for help if you need it.

– It is your responsibility to attempt the work to the best of your ability

making use of all available resources and seeking support in plenty of time if

necessary.

Course Materials and Expectations

–All homework will be made

available on ‘Edmodo’ and

‘show my homework’ so

there will be NO excuses

accepted for not handing

homework in on time.

Course Materials and Expectations

– You are expected to spend time reviewing your work on a regular basis.

– For every hour of Biology you study in lessons you are expected to spend at least another hour studying in your own time.

– This will include set homework, daily reviews and revision for mock exams.

– You will also be expected to do pre-reading for each lesson

Mock Exams

– End of every half-term

– These will contain exam questions on

the topics you have been studying.

– You are expected to achieve your target

grade on these tests.

– If you do not achieve your target you

will be expected to attend extra

revision classes.

Absence

– If you know you are going to be absent from

a lesson it is your responsibility to inform the

teacher in advance and complete the

necessary work.

– If you are away due to illness it is your

responsibility to check what you have missed

and catch up.

Staff School Email

– You and your parents may contact staff using the school email for the

following:

– To inform us of an absence and request work if applicable

– To request advice or support on homework

ngranvillewest@saltashcloud.net

What do you need to do over the

summer holidays?

– You will need to complete the ‘Head Start to A level

Biology’ CGP Workbook. Which you can find on show

my homework as scanned files

– This MUST be completed and handed in on your FIRST

Biology lesson back after your summer holidays.

– Failure to hand in work will not provide a good first

impression of your commitment and suitability to this

course.

Some wider:-

reading/ watchingA Short History of Nearly EverythingA whistle-stop tour through many aspects of history from the Big Bang to now. This is a really accessible read that will re-familiarise you with common concepts and introduce you to some of the more colourful characters from the history of science! Available at amazon.co.uk

Junk DNAOur DNA is so much more complex than you probably realize, this book will really deepen your understanding of all the work you will do on Genetics. Available at amazon.co.uk

An easy read..Frankenstein’s catDiscover how glow in the dark fish are made and more great Biotechnology breakthroughs. Available at amazon.co.uk

Gorillas in the Mist (1988)An absolute classic that retells the true story of the life and work of Dian Fossey and her work studying and protecting mountain gorillas from poachers and habitat loss. A tear jerker.

Andromeda Strain (1971)Science fiction by the great thriller writer Michael Cricthon (he of Jurassic Park fame). Humans begin dying when an alien microbe arrives on Earth.

Something the Lord Made (2004)Professor Snape (the late great Alan Rickman) in a very different role. The film tells the story of the scientists at the cutting edge of early heart surgery as well as issues surrounding racism at the time.

Lorenzo’s Oil (1992)Based on a true story. A young child suffers from an autoimmune disease. The parents research and challenge doctors to develop a new cure for his disease.