Biology A level

This distance learning course will help you to develop essential skills and knowledge relating to biological principles.

Components and/or options

• Biology A2
• Biology AS

An A level in biology opens the door to a wealth of further education and career opportunities. Our home study course follows a context-based approach: students begin by considering the topics in real-life situations and then move on to the underlying biological concepts.

Information on Core Practicals

One of the aspects of our A level Biology course we’re most frequently asked about is how the practical element is adapted for distance learning. There is a strong practical element to the course, with two coursework tasks centred around 20 core practicals.

Our bespoke home study A level Biology course has been specially designed by experts to be completed at home. All of the practicals can be carried out around the house, using equipment that you should be able to obtain without difficulty from high street shops.

You will need some scientific equipment, including safety goggles, a small pipette and a thermometer, but these – and everything else you will need – are all available from shops selling pharmaceuticals, hardware, toys and kitchenware. You will also need a compound microscope, but you should be able to buy a basic example relatively inexpensively.

Full lists of necessary equipment will be supplied with your course materials. You can also take a look at the lists for both the A2 and the AS in the “Please note” box on the top-right of this page.

If you have any other queries about our A level Biology course get in touch with our customer relations team, who will be happy to help.

Topics include

• Unit 1: Lifestyle, transport, genes and health
• Unit 2: Development, plants and the environment
• Unit 3: Practical biology and research skills
• Unit 4: The natural environment and species survival
• Unit 5: Energy, exercise and coordination
• Unit 6: Practical biology and investigative skills

Entry requirements and hours of study

• GCSE Science (Double Certification) or GCSE Biology - minimum Grade C; or Intermediate GNVQ Science; or a BTEC First in Science.
• You should allow 150 hours of study for the AS and 150 hours for the A2, plus extra time for completing assignments.

Core practicals

Students will carry out core practical experiments as they work through the sections of the course. The core practicals will prepare students for the practical-related questions in the written examination papers and for the practical work in Unit 3 and Unit 6.

Specification

EDEXCEL, AS:8BI01, A2:9BI01

Recommended texts

You will need to buy the following essential textbooks:

• Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology for Edexcel AS Biology Student Book, Authors: University of York Science Education Group, Curriculum Centre Nuffield, Paperback, Edexcel (Pearson Education/Heinemann), May 2008, ISBN13 9781405896078
• Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology for Edexcel A2 Biology Student Book, Authors: University of York Science Education Group, Curriculum Centre Nuffield, Paperback, Edexcel (Pearson Education/Heinemann), March 2009, ISBN13 9781408205914

Coursework

Two exams for the AS, each 1hr15mins and worth 80 marks plus coursework worth 40 marks. Two exams for the A2, each 1hr30mins and worth 90 marks, plus coursework worth 45 marks. For full assessment details please check your specification with the relevant awarding body.