Biology
GCE Student Guide
Studying AS or A level Biology will allow you to
Why study Biology?
delve much deeper into the subject than when
studying at GCSE level. Topics which may be Biology is the study of life and, as complex living
familiar to you from GCSE are studied in much organisms ourselves, many of us are naturally
drawn to find out more about how we work. Through
more detail and are updated with contemporary exploring biology at this level, you can find out
developments in the subject. more about how organisms are built and how they
function, as well as learning how they interact with
each other and with their surroundings.
In addition, new topics such as biochemistry and
molecular biology will help to give you a deeper Not only will you discover how powerful electron
microscopes have allowed us to explore plant and
understanding of the subject as a whole and
animal cells in detail, but you will learn about
make links between different areas of biology. the molecules which make up these cells and see
that, even at this level of organisation, structure is
inextricably linked to function in biology.
In addition to this examination of the smallest
units in biology, you will also study the ‘big picture’
by learning about communities and ecosystems, as
well as the universal role of DNA in maintaining the
variety of life on the planet.
We have included a number of sections on
contemporary developments in biology in order to
make this a truly 21st century course. For example,
you will learn about how a disrupted cell cycle
contributes to the development of cancer, as well
as finding out how some anti-cancer medications
work to bring the disease under control.
Biology
GCE Student Guide
What will I study?
Unit Areas of Study
AS 1: In this unit you will start by studying the building blocks of life; molecules and cells, since
Molecules and Cells these are the foundations of a functioning organism. You will also be introduced to the idea
of structure related to function.
AS 2: This unit covers the physiology of plants and animals. You will study examples of transport
Organisms and and exchange in both groups, as well as examining the principles which govern these
Biodiversity mechanisms.
This leads on to the concept of adaptation, in the context of habitat studies. You will also
learn about principles of classification and biodiversity.
AS 3: Throughout your AS studies, you will carry out and report on practical activities which
Practical Skills in AS are designed to help you understand concepts and processes, or illustrate biological
Biology phenomena.
A2 1: In this unit, you will explore human physiology in more detail, learning about
Physiology, co-ordination and control, as well as the defences of the body against disease.
Co-ordination and
Control, and Ecosystems You will build upon the ecology studied at AS level by investigating populations and
communities, as well as nutrient cycles and energy flow.
A2 2: Genetics is studied from a range of perspectives in this unit, including inheritance patterns,
Biochemistry, Genetics population genetics and evolution. This is linked to the study of molecular genetics,
and Evolutionary Trends exploring how DNA controls the activities of the cell. Biochemical pathways including
respiration and photosynthesis are studied in some detail in this unit.
A2 3: As with AS 3, throughout your A level studies, you will carry out and report on practical
Practical Skills in Biology activities which are designed to help you understand concepts and processes and illustrate
biological phenomena.
Biology
GCE Student Guide
How will I be assessed?
Unit Assessment Description Weighting
AS 1: There is a written examination, which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. You will be 37.5% of AS
Molecules and Cells asked to answer between six and eight compulsory structured questions, 15% of A level
as well as write an essay on a topic from this unit.
AS 2: There is a written examination, which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. You will be 37.5% of AS
Organisms and asked to answer between six and eight compulsory structured questions, 15% of A level
Biodiversity as well as write an essay on a topic from this unit.
AS 3: Your teacher will carry out part of the assessment, by marking your work 25% of AS
Practical Skills in AS on practical tasks carried out over the course of the year. Your marks for 10% of A level
Biology seven practicals will be submitted for the internal assessment component
of this unit.
In addition, there is a written examination which lasts 1 hour and consists
of between seven and ten structured questions.
A2 1: There is a written examination, which lasts 2 hours 15 minutes. You will be 24% of A level
Physiology, asked to answer between six and nine compulsory structured questions,
Co-ordination and as well as write an essay on a topic from this unit.
Control and Ecosystems
A2 2: There is a written examination, which lasts 2 hours 15 minutes. You will be 24% of A level
Biochemistry, Genetics asked to answer between six and nine compulsory structured questions,
and Evolutionary Trends as well as write an essay on a topic from this unit.
A2 3: Your teacher will carry out part of the assessment, by marking your work 12% of A level
Practical Skills in on practical tasks carried out over the course of the year. Your marks for
Biology five practicals will be submitted for the internal assessment component of
this unit.
In addition, there is a written examination which lasts 1 hour 15 minutes
and consists of between eight and ten structured questions.
Biology
GCE Student Guide
What can I do with a qualification in
Biology?
With this qualification, you could either go on to further
study in biology or a wide range of other disciplines, or
you could enter the world of work, where many of the
skills you have developed will be highly sought after.
Knowledge of biological processes has implications
for a wide range of fundamentally important areas,
including health, food production, conservation and,
increasingly, technology. Furthermore, a qualification
in biology may be a recommendation or a prerequisite
for entering further study in the fields of medicine,
nursing, dentistry, veterinary science, speech and
language therapy, pharmacology, physiology,
biomedical science, forensic science and agriculture.
Through following this specification, you will develop
skills that are valued in Further and Higher Education,
including an ability to understand complex processes,
analysis, evaluation of practices, problem-solving and
research, as well as practical skills such as using a
microscope, handling apparatus and fieldwork.
To find out more, visit the
Many of these skills are also highly valued in the
workplace, where the ability to take on board new
CCEA Website for the
concepts quickly and to suggest improvements to latest support and
established practices can be very useful. The ability
to understand data presented in a variety of forms, updates for this subject.
including text, tables and graphs, is also an important
transferable skill which is developed through the study
of biology at this level.
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