BIOLOGY

“One third of our private college tutors have PhDs”

Study Biology At Our Top London College

Biology is a popular subject at Westminster Tutors and is led by a highly experienced and qualified tutor, who has also been an OCR examiner for many years. Biology is the study of all living organisms and the natural world, ranging from a single cell to an entire ecosystem. Our students not only gain knowledge on a wide range of biological topics, but also valuable skills in research, analysis, problem solving and organisation.

Course outline

Modules

Module 1

Development of practical skills in biology

  • Practical skills assessed in a written examination
    • Planning
    • Implementing
    • Analysis
    • Evaluation
  • Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

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

Module 5

Communication, 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

Assesment

AS Level Biology

Component 01: Breadth in biology

  • Assessment of content from modules 1-4
  • 70 marks
  • 1 hour 30 minutes written paper
  • 50% of total AS level

Component 02: Depth in biology

  • Assessment of content from modules 1-4
  • 70 marks
  • 1 hour 30 minutes written paper
  • 50 % of total AS level

A Level Biology

Component 01: Biological processes

  • Assessment of content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5
  • 100 marks
  • 2 hour 15 minutes written paper
  • 37% of total A level

Component 02: Biological diversity

  • Assessment of content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6
  • 100 marks
  • 2 hour 15 minutes written paper
  • 37% of total A level

Component 03: Unified biology

  • Assessment of content from all modules
  • 70 marks
  • 1 hour 30 minutes written paper
  • 26% of total A level

Practical Endorsement in Biology

  • Non-exam assessment
  • At least 12 practical activities to be completed
  • Reported separately as a pass or a fail

Specification

Teachers will choose the examination board for students joining in Year 12 based on their expertise and specialist knowledge. For Year 13 and retake students, teachers will continue students’ studies with AQA, Edexcel/Pearson, OCR or WJEC/Eduqas. We are also able to offer the Edexcel Salters-Nuffield Biology A course (8BN0 and 9BN0). Please note that we do not offer CIE but can more than map to one of the boards listed.

Tutors

Paul Schifferes
BSc (Nottingham Trent), PGCE (King’s)

Why Choose Westminster Tutors?

  • Top independent sixth form college
  • Average grades 57% A*-A and 80% A*-B
  • 68% placed at Russell Group unis
  • Superbly qualified teachers who care
  • Average A level retake improvement is 1.5 grades
Student studying for her A-Levels
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About Us

Westminster Tutors is one of the oldest and best independent sixth form colleges in London. Established in 1934, our culture of scholastic excellence is deeply embedded and sets the standard for other colleges to follow.