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
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
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
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
