<
Skip to content ↓

KS5

A level Course followed  Biology

Specification: AQA A level Biology 7402

Why choose A level Biology

A Biology A level encompasses many skills which demonstrates to employers and universities that you have strong scientific and academic capabilities. Being such a highly respected qualification, taking A Level Biology will give you access to many degree courses and careers.

It makes an excellent base for degrees in healthcare and biological sciences. And can complement those in sports science, psychology and sociology among others. A strong scientific background develops analytical skills, independent thought, critical evaluation and can be useful in careers such as law, finance, business and engineering.

A Biology qualification can open a variety of career opportunities too. Employers who typically recruit graduates for biology-related jobs include:

  • Universities and clinical research organisations
  • Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
  • Private hospitals and NHS trusts
  • National/global health conservation and environmental charities
  • Scientific and technical consultancies
  • Outreach organisation
Keystage 5 Curriculum Overview
Year 12
  Specification Reference and Topic:
Teacher 1 Year 1
Specification Reference and Topic:
Teacher 2 Year 1

Assessment
Points

First half-term Year 12

  • 3.1.1 Monomers and Polymers
  • 3.1.2 Carbohydrates
  • 3.1.3 Lipids
  • 3.1.4 Proteins
  • 3.1.7 Water
  • 3.1.8 Inorganic ions 
  • 3.2.1.1 Structure of Eukaryotic cells
  • 3.2.1.2 Structure of Prokaryotic cells and viruses
  • 3.2.1.3 Methods of studying cells
 

Second half-term Year 12

  • 3.1.4.2 Many Proteins are enzymes  
    Required practical 1  Investigation into the effect of a named variable on the rate of an enzyme controlled reaction.
  • 3.1.5.1 Structure of DNA and RNA
  • 3.1.5.3 DNA Replication
  • 3.1.6 ATP
  • 3.3.1 Surface area to volume ratio
  • 3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    Required practical 2: Preparation of stained squashes of cells from plant root tips; set-up and use of an optical microscope to identify the stages of mitosis in these stained squashes and calculation of a mitotic index
    Ate production of scientific drawings using annotations
  • 3.2.3 Transport across cell membranes
    Required practical 3: Production of a dilution series of a solute to produce a calibration curve with which to identify the water potential of plant tissue.
    Required practical 4: Investigation into the effect of a named variable on the permeability of cell-surface membranes.

 

Third half-term Year 12

  • 3.3.2 Gas Exchange
  • 3.3.3 Digestion and absorption
  • 3.2.4 Cell recognition and the immune system
  • 3.4.1 DNA Genes and chromosomes
 

Fourth half-term Year 12

  • 3.3.4.1 Mass Transport in animals
    Required practical 5: Dissection of animal or plant gas exchange system or mass transport system or of organ within such a system.
  • 3.4.2 DNA and Protein synthesis
  • 3.4.3 Genetic Diversity can arise as a result of mutation or during meiosis
  • 3.4.4 Genetic Diversity and Adaptation
  • Required practical 6: Use of aseptic techniques to investigate the effect of antimicrobial substances on microbial growth.
 

Fifth half-term Year 12

  • 3.3.4.2 Mass Transport in Plants
  • 3.4.5 Species and taxonomy
  • 3.4.6 Biodiversity within a community
  • 3.4.7 Investigating Diversity
 
Year 13
  Specification Reference and Topic:
Teacher 1 Year 2
Specification Reference and Topic:
Teacher 2 Year 2
Assessment
Points

Sixth half-term Year 12

  • 3.5.2 Energy and Ecosystems
  • 3.7.4 Populations in Ecosystems
    Required practical 12: Investigation into the effect of a named environmental factor on the distribution of a given species. This is done on the field trip
  • 3.5.1 Photosynthesis
    Required practical 7 Use of chromatography to investigate the pigments isolated from leaves of different plants,
    Required practical 8. Investigation into the effect of a named factor on the rate of dehydrogenase activity in extracts of chloroplasts.
 

First half-term Year 13

  • 3.5.4 Nutrient cycles
  • 3.6.1.1 survival and response 
    Required practical 10: Investigation into the effect of an environmental variable on the movement of an animal using either a choice chamber or a maze.
  • 3.5.2 Respiration
    Required practical 9. : Investigation into the effect of a named variable on the rate of respiration of cultures of single-celled organisms
 

Second half-term Year 13

  • 3.6.1.2 Receptors
  • 3.6.1.3 Control of Heart rate
  • 3.6.2.1 Nerve Impulses
  • 3.6.2.2 Synaptic Transmission
  • 3.6.4.1 Principles of Homeostasis and negative feedback
  • 3.6.4.2 Control of blood glucose levels
    Required Practical 11. Production of a dilution series of a glucose solution and use of colorimetric techniques to produce a calibration curve with which to identify the concentration of glucose in an unknown ‘urine’ sample.
  • 3.6.4.3 Control of blood water potential
 

Third half-term Year 13

  • 3.6.3 Skeletal muscles are stimulated to contract by nerve impulses and act as effectors
  • 3.8.1 Alteration of the sequence of bases in DNA can alter the structure of proteins.

  • 3.8.2.1 Most of a cell’s DNA is not translated

Trial Exam

Fourth half-term Year 13

  • 3.7.1 Inheritance

  • 3.8.2.2 Regulation of transcription and translation
  • 3.8.2.3 Gene expression and Cancer
  • 3.8.3 Using genome projects
 
Fifth half-term Year 13
  • 3.7.2 Populations
  • 3.7.3 Evolution may lead to speciation
  • 3.8.4.1 Recombinant DNA technology
  • 3.8.4.2 Differences in DNA between individuals of the same species can be exploited for identification and diagnosis of inheritable disease
  • 3.8.4.3 Genetic fingerprinting
 

The exact point in the specification that we get to in each half-term will vary from year to year and class to class depending on timetabling, staff availability and the effect of school events. The students will be told by their teacher what point to revise up to for any assessment.