A-Level Biology

Before submitting your application to Wilberforce Sixth Form College, please ensure the following information has been included:

• Personal Details – including your home address, email address, contact number and school.
• Predicted Grades – a full list of all your predicted grades.

Once your application is submitted, we will contact you via your personal email address. If you wish to change your course choices, this can be done at your interview—there is no need to submit a new application.

For further information or assistance, please contact liaison@wilberforce.ac.uk

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Biology is a fascinating course that will see you exploring the vast and varied forms of life on planet Earth. From the smallest biological molecules to large and diverse ecosystems, you will gain the knowledge, skills and understanding to make rapid progress in the field of biosciences. We believe that carrying out regular, interesting and informative scientific investigations is a key part of helping you to achieve the best grades possible. Because of this you, can expect a large part of the course to include practical investigations including dissections, enzyme catalysed reactions and even the genetic modification of bacteria (which involves inserting a fluorescent jelly fish gene that causes them to glow in the dark)!

WHO IS THE COURSE AIMED AT?

This course is for you if you are prepared to ask difficult questions. You have to reject the bland unscientific statements and sound bites that the media throw at you and be prepared to appreciate all around you from a biological standpoint. It has to be said that you will have to learn a lot of detailed facts and apply them in an intelligent manner. If you are inquisitive about the world, you will love Biology.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

• The immune system and how a varied team of white blood cells and systems protect us from infection and death. How does cancer develop? How are scientists developing treatments that can fight cancer?

• The circulatory system –What happens if the circulatory system fails? How is blood push through the 10,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain?

• The respiratory system – How does breathing work? Why do we need to breathe?

• Ecosystems and taxonomy – How do scientists classify the wide variety of life on Earth?

• The nervous system – How do neurones generate electrical impulses? How do we respond to danger?

• The muscles – How do muscles contract?

• Genetics – How are scientists genetically modifying organisms to make goats that produce spider silk and pigs with glow in the dark snouts?

In year one you will study the following units:

• 3.1 Biological molecules

• 3.2 Cells

• 3.3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment

• 3.4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms.

In your second year you will study:

• 3.5 Energy transfers in and between organisms

• 3.6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

• 3.7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems

• 3.8 The control of gene expression

You must have:

Five GCSE grades 9-4

A minimum GCSE grade average of 5.3

A grade 4 or higher in GCSE English Language

A grade 6 or higher in GCSE Biology, or a 6-6 in Combined Science

A grade 6 or higher in GCSE Maths.

EXPERIENCES

This course will provide you with the opportunity to take part in trips to places like Filey, as well as hear from academics and visiting speakers who are experts in their fields. You will also be able to take part in our Upskilling Programme: students who have done this have won the prestigious Waterline Challenge, a Dragon’s Den style competition which supports the Humber region as it transitions towards a zero-carbon economy.

PROGRESSION

A Level Biology is the perfect subject to lead onto a science or STEM based subject at university. Biology itself is a good option, as are subjects like Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Medicine or Engineering. You may also choose to complete a degree in a specialist area, such as Genetics.

OUTCOMES

Students who complete a qualification in Biology go on to a wide variety of jobs. These can include: Doctor, Marine Biologist, Geneticist, Zoologist or Teacher, to name a few.