1. A-Level Biology AQA New Course for 2015
Walton High School
A-Level Biology
AQA
New Course for 2015

2. Who is it for?
Students with a passion for Biology and those who are doing well in it.
Students who are hoping to study Biology/Natural science at college or university undergraduate courses.
It is NOT a ‘filler’ subject.

3. What do you need to enter the course?
A minimum of two grade B’s from a combination of either GCSE Core, Additional and Further Science and Human Health and Physiology.

4. The Core Topics 1-4
1 Biological molecules – including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, enzymes, DNA structure.
2 Cells – including cell structure, viruses, cell division, diffusion, osmosis, immunity.

5. The Core Topics 1-4
3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment – including gas exchange, digestion and absorption.
4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms – including DNA, genes and chromosomes, biodiversity, genetic diversity and taxonomy.

6. The Core Topics 1-4
1–4 are designed to be covered in the first year of the A-level and are also the AS subject content.
AS and A Level courses can be taught concurrently.
Each section begins with an overview, which puts the topic into a broader biological context and encourages understanding of the place of each topic within the subject.
The overview is intended to encourage an overarching approach to both the teaching and learning of topic areas.

7. AS Assessment Only First exams – Summer 2016 Unit Duration Marks
Weighting
What’s included
1 Core Biology
Topics 1-4 and practical skills.
1 hour 30 mins 75
50% of AS
65 marks: short answer questions
10 marks: comprehension question
2 Core Biology
10 marks: extended response questions
First exams – Summer 2016

8. A Level Topics 5-8 Core Topics 1-4 and 5-8 (for A Level only).
5 Energy transfers in and between organisms – including photosynthesis, respiration, ecology and nutrient cycles.
6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments – including the nervous system and homeostasis.

9. A Level Topics
7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A-level only) – including inheritance.
8 The control of gene expression (A-level only) – including gene technologies.

10. A Level Assessment First exams – Summer 2017 Unit Duration Marks
Weighting
A Level
Other Information
1 Core Biology
Topics 1-4 and practical skills.
2 hours 91
35% of A Level
76 marks: a mixture of short and long answer questions
15 marks: extended response questions
2 Core Biology
Topics 5-8 and practical skills.
15 marks: comprehension question.
3 Core Biology
Topics 1-8 and practical skills 78
30% of A Level
38 marks: structured questions, including practical techniques
15 marks: critical analysis of given experimental data
25 marks: one essay from a choice of two titles
First exams – Summer 2017

11. So what coursework is there?
ISA coursework is no longer required.
Now practical skills are tested within the written papers, overall at least 15% of the A Level marks account for this.
Students will have been taught and acquired competence, in the appropriate areas of practical skills required by the exam board.

12. Practical Skills
Practical skills are now at the ‘heart of science’ on this new course.
There are now numerous opportunities for practical work to link theory to reality, and equip students with the essential practical skills they need.
Students are encouraged to use several pieces of apparatus and develop practical techniques throughout the course.

13. Practical Skills AS
1. Investigation into the effect of a named variable on the rate of an
enzyme-controlled reaction
2. Preparation of stained squashes of cells from plant root tips; setup
and use of an optical microscope to identify the stages of mitosis
in these stained squashes and calculation of a mitotic index
3. Production of a dilution series of a solute to produce a calibration
curve with which to identify the water potential of plant tissue
4. Investigation into the effect of a named variable on the permeability
of cell-surface membranes
5. Dissection of animal or plant gas exchange system or mass
transport system or of organ within such a system
6. Use of aseptic techniques to investigate the effect of antimicrobial
substances on microbial growth

14. Practical Skills A Level
7. Use of chromatography to investigate the pigments isolated from leaves of different plants, eg leaves from shade-tolerant and shade intolerant plants or leaves of different colours 8. Investigation into the effect of a named factor on the rate of dehydrogenase activity in extracts of chloroplasts 9. Investigation into the effect of a named variable on the rate of respiration of cultures of single-celled organisms 10. Investigation into the effect of an environmental variable on the movement of an animal using either a choice chamber or a maze 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 12. Investigation into the effect of a named environmental factor on the distribution of a given species

15. Practical Skills
In addition A Level students will need to be awarded a ‘pass’ by their teacher for practical skills mastery to endorse their A Level.
In order to achieve a pass, students will need to have met expectations developed through the explicit acquisition of the technical skills in any practical activity undertaken throughout the course of study.
Students will need to document all this evidence within a practical skills folder.

16. A note about mathematics
During the course you will be required to carry out some maths!
E.g. use of fractions , percentages, means, standard deviations.
Calculations of rates of reactions etc.
You cannot be scared of maths!
Maths skills feature a lot on the new course specification.

17. What do you need to be successful on the course?
Enthusiasm
Effort
Commitment
Determination
Motivation
Willingness to work in small groups and carry out presentations.
Be able to follow practical instructions and be safe in the lab.
An interest in the subject.
Be prepared to do independent study outside of lessons.

18. So why choose Walton?
Good exam results, some of the best in the collegiate.
Best ever A level results last year.
Good facilities and equipment.
Dedicated teachers, who really care and intervene where necessary.
Regular assessment and tracking to monitor progress.
2 A* last year/ teachers