Biology
SPECIFIC AIMS OF THE DEPARTMENT
The Biology Department in Aquinas aims to encourage you to appreciate the value of Biology in your lives and in the wider world around you. We hope that during the courses you will:
- develop your knowledge and understanding of biology.
- develop your understanding of the effects of biology on society.
- develop an understanding of the importance of scale in biology.
- develop and apply your knowledge and understanding of the nature of science and of the scientific process.
- develop your understanding of the relationships between hypotheses, evidence, theories and explanations.
- develop your awareness of risk and the ability to assess potential risk in the context of potential benefits.
- develop and apply your observational, practical, modelling, enquiry and problem solving skills and understanding in laboratory, field and other learning environments.
EXAM BOARD
CCEA
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM
At Key Stage 3, Biology is taught as part of a general Science programme. Please click here to access the Science Subject Area section of this website for Key Stage 3 information.
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM
https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-biology-2017
Year 11
Unit 1: Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity
External written examination: Students answer compulsory structured questions that require short responses, extended writing and calculations. Higher Tier: 1 hour 15 mins
Weighting 35%
Topics covered:
• Cells
• Plants and photosynthesis
• Food and energy
• Enzymes and digestion
• The respiratory system
• Hormones and nervous control
• Ecology
Year 12
Unit 2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health
External written examination: Students answer compulsory structured questions that require short responses, extended writing and calculations Higher Tier: 1 hour 30 mins
Weighting 40%
Topics covered:
• Osmosis and transpiration
• The circulatory system
• Genetics
• Human fertility
• Evolution and natural selection
• The immune system and diseases
Unit 3:
Booklet A Externally marked paper that is completed during a class experiment. Students carry out two pre-release practical tasks in the final year of study. The session lasts 2 hours.
Weighting 7.5%
Booklet B External written examination. Students answer structured questions about all the practicals they have completed during the two-year course.
Higher Tier: 1 hour
Weighting 17.5%
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 5 CURRICULUM
https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-biology-2016
Year 13
AS 1 Molecules and Cells
External written examination 1 hour 30 minutes
Topics covered:
• Biological molecules
• Enzymes
• Cells
• Cell Transport
• Mitosis, meiosis and cancer
• Tissues and organs
Weighting 37.5% of AS 15% of A level
AS 2 Organisms and Biodiversity
External written examination 1 hour 30 minutes
Topics covered:
• Gas exchange
• Plant transport
• The circulatory system
• Variation
• Biodiversity
• Human impact on the environment
Weighting 37.5% of AS 15% of A level
AS 3 Practical Skills in AS Biology
Seven internally marked short practical write-ups (weighting 7.5% of AS-level)
External written examination 1 hour. This test will cover practicals completed during the course (weighting 17.5% of AS-level).
Weighting 25% of AS 10% of A level
Year 14
A2 1 Physiology, Co-ordination and Control, and Ecosystems
External written examination 2 hours 15 mins
Topics covered:
• The kidney
• The immune system and diseases
• Plant coordination
• The nervous system
• The eye and muscles
• Populations and communities
Weighting 24% of A level
A2 2 Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends
External written examination 2 hours 15 mins
Topics covered:
• Respiration
• Photosynthesis
• Genetics
• Genetic engineering
• Patterns of inheritance
• Plant and animal kingdoms
• Biology statistics
Weighting 24% of A level
A2 3 Practical Skills in A2 Biology
Five internally marked short practical write-ups (weighting 2.4% of A-level)
External written examination 1 hour 15 mins. This test will cover practicals completed during the course and Biology statistics (weighting 9.6% of A-level).
Weighting 12% of A level
