Biology

Course summary

Biology is the study of the mechanisms that underpin all living organisms. It covers the rapidly changing fields of genetics and biotechnology. COURSE CONTENT YEAR ONE Module 1: Development of practical skills in Biology • Skills of planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation assessed through written examinations Module 2: Foundations in Biology • Cell structure • Biological molecules • Nucleotides and nucleic acids • Enzymes • Biological membranes • Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation Module 3: Exchange and transport • Exchange surfaces • Transport in animals • Transport in plants Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease • Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system • Biodiversity • Classification and evolution YEAR TWO Module 5: Communications, homeostasis and energy • Communication and homeostasis • Excretion as an example of homeostatic control • Neuronal communication • Hormonal communication • Plant and animal responses • Photosynthesis • Respiration Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems • Cellular control • Patterns of inheritance • Manipulating genomes • Cloning and biotechnology • Ecosystems • Populations and sustainability