Upper 6th Form Curriculum

A2 Biology

Syllabus Followed: AQA B A2 Biology

Unit 4: Energy , Control and Continuity

Exam 1hr 15 mins (30% of A2 course, 15% of total A Level course)
This large module contains a substantial amount of the main principles of Biology that were considered too demanding for the AS course. It contains works on Energy supply, the biochemistry of photosynthesis and respiration, homeostasis, nervous communication, muscle action, variation, inheritance, evolution and classification. The treatment of topics will generally be more demanding than in the AS course.

Unit 5a: Environment

Exam 1hr 15 mins. (15% of A2 course, 7.5% of total A Level course)
This includes assessment of synoptic skills.
This is a smaller module which the department will start to teach in the L6 year straight after the AS exams. It contains material on the main ecological principles such as energy transfer in ecosystems, nutrient cycles, practical ecological techniques. Inter-actions in ecosystems and human impact on ecosystems. Some of this unit will be taught on a field study trip in early September of the U6 year. The field study trip will also be used to generate work for Unit 5b.

Unit 5b: Practical Investigation

Internally assessed / Externally moderated (7.5% of total A Level course, 15% of A2 course)
The practical (a single big investigation) must cover the 5 skills of Planning, Implementing, Analysing Evidence and Drawing Conclusions, Evaluating Evidence and Procedures and Synthesis of Principle and Concepts. All of the data for this practical investigation will be obtained on the field study trip. All assessed practical work will thereby be completed by the half term of the Autumn term.

Unit 7: Microbes and Disease

(20% of total A Level course, 40% of A2 course)
The second half of this paper will contain synoptic questions that test skills acquired from all 5 previous modules. Topics include bacterial structure, culturing bacteria, commercial biotechnology, bacterial diseases such as food poisoning, viral diseases such as AIDS and influenza, protection against disease (including the immune system , vaccinations and antibiotics).

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