1. A level Biology

2. Why study Biology? The best reason is because you are interested in the subject and want to learn more. You will have 5 lessons per week and need to complete an additional 5 hours per week independent study so you want to enjoy studying it! It is a Russell group facilitating subject – that is one of the subjects most commonly required or preferred by universities to get on to a range of degree courses. Biology will therefore help you keep your options open when choosing a degree. Many of the top universities will ask you to have at least one A-level in a facilitating subject when you apply. Biology qualifications lead to many different careers.

4. Careers destinations A level Biology students have gone on to careers in: Medicine – doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacologist, radiographer, medical research, paramedics, optometrists, physiotherapy, dietitian, clinical physiologist, microbiologist etc Veterinary medicine/nursing Environmental management/monitoring Biochemist/Biomedical Scientist Research scientist Forensic scientist Teacher

5. What you need to study Biology? As with the other sciences, you need a good level of maths, comprehension and writing skills, and the ability to work independently. Entry requirements – Science GCSE Core grade B/Additional Science GCSE grade B or separate Sciences grade B (not Applied Science or BTEC). GCSE Maths grade B and GCSE English grade B. G-Score of 6.0 and above. Entry to Biology is subject to the successful completion of an initial assessment. You need to be prepared for a much faster pace than GCSE. Once we have covered a topic you will be expected to revise it independently – it will not be repeated in lesson time. You need to be committed to work hard both in class and independently.

6. Who should study Biology? 1.If you are good at Biology and enjoy it. 2.If you need it for the future career e.g. Medicine, Marine biology. 3.If you want to prove you are a hard worker and want to develop a range of skills. Biology is NOT an easy option!

7. AQA A level Biology is a linear A level This means it is assessed by three exams at the end of two years of study. You will study 8 topics over two years: 1 Biological molecules 2 Cells 3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment 4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms 5 Energy transfers in and between organisms 6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments 7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems 8 The control of gene expression

9. For more information…….. Visit our Aquinas Biology website: AquinasBiologyAquinasBiology – Sept 2015 tab. Once enrolled you will get full access to our website including: Resources – powerpoints, homework, help sheets, animations, videos. Links to further reading and extra-curricular opportunities. Support with study skills Careers and university application support

10. Head start? We have CGP Head start books available which revise the key sections of GSCE and introduce the main A level concepts. The book includes practice questions and answers. As the are written for the old spec we are selling them for only £1.50 (rrp £4.95) but the content is all still applicable for your spec. We also have AS/A2 revision guides - £3 (rrp £10.99) again priced to reflect them being old spec but 95% is identical. For both take cash to the prep room today or on enrolment.