A level Biology organisation and requirementsWhat you need to bring to lessons

Exercise booko You will be provided with thiso All lesson notes should go into the exercise book

Biology textbook/revision guideo You will need to get at least one of the A level textbooks recommended. This should come to every

lesson for reference A4 lever-arch folder

o It is your responsibility to buy this A4 folder dividers

o It is your responsibility to buy this A4 lined paper

o It is your responsibility to buy this Necessary stationary, including pencil, ruler, calculator, green pen, red pen, black pen.

o It is your responsibility to buy this

Organisation of lessons

All classwork should be completed in your exercise book.

Homework and independent work should be completed on paper and handed in on the deadline. Failure to hand work in on the due date will result in a detention that evening. If a student completes the homework in their free periods in that day, they will still have a detention.

The folder should be separated into separate sections

Classwork exercise book Revision notes Homework and Independent notes Summary notes Assessments Homework Booklets Student admin sheets

o Assessment trackero Marking logo Reading log

Specification

If a student misses a lesson, it is their responsibility to catch up on the work missed. If they miss a lesson they must do the following before the next lesson

Email the teacher to find out the work missed Find the teacher to find out the work missed Speak to someone in the class to find out the work missed

Failure to complete the work missed from previous lessons will result in a student attending compulsory catch-up.

Revision and Assessments

Students will be expected to complete a revision summary each week. This will need to be a comprehensive, concise summary of all the content covered in the previous week. This could be either written notes, flashcards, mind maps or explained diagrams.

It will be collected in each week and marked by the teacher.

Failure to complete the revision summary will result in a student attending compulsory catch-up.

Students will regularly complete end of topic assessments and cumulative assessments. A student must prepare thoroughly for these assessments.

A student must achieve their target grade in the assessment. The target grade will be decided at the beginning of the year and will either be an official target grade or an aspirational target grade based on UCAS grade requirements.

Failure to achieve their target grade will result in a student attending compulsory catch-up to re-sit and mark the assessment.

Homework booklets

Students will be provided with homework booklets for each A level topic. These are in addition to revision summaries, homework and independent study. Students will be expected to complete the homework booklets by the deadline date provided. The homework booklets are designed to assess a student’s ability to answer exam questions.

Failure to hand the homework booklets in on the due date will result in a detention that evening where the homework booklet will be completed.

Biology reading club

Every week in Biology, students will be given an article or section of a book to read. As well as reading the biological literature, students will be required to summarise the article and relate it to the A level Biology specification. Students will be asked to discuss the article in lessons during the week.

Students will be expected to keep a log of the books and articles that they read, summarising the key concepts and details from each document.

A level Biology textbooks and recommended resources

It is recommended that each student have at least two textbooks and a revision guide for A level biology

Recommended text for all AS/A2 students -

A Level Biology textbook - £38.55https://www.amazon.co.uk/Biology-Level-Second-Student-Book/dp/0198351771/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1465815872&sr=8-2&keywords=aqa+a+level+biology

AS Year 1 Biology textbook - £24.99https://www.amazon.co.uk/Biology-Level-Year-Second-Student/dp/0198351763/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1465815872&sr=8-4&keywords=aqa+a+level+biology

A level Year 2 Biology textbook - £24.99https://www.amazon.co.uk/Level-Biology-Second-Year-Student/dp/0198357702/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1465815872&sr=8-3&keywords=aqa+a+level+biology

A level Biology revision guide – both years - £19.99https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_a_level_biology_aqa.book_BAR72

AS Biology revision guide - £10.99https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_a_level_biology_aqa.book_BAR53

A level Year 2 Biology revision guide - £10.99https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_a_level_biology_aqa.book_BAR62

AS Year 1 Biology textbook - £19.99https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_a_level_biology_aqa.book_BATB52

A level Year 2 Biology textbook - £19.99https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_a_level_biology_aqa.book_BATB62

Head Start to A Level Biology - £4.95https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_a_level_biology_aqa.book_BBR71

Maths Skills required in A level Biology - £7.50https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Student/books_a_level_biology_aqa.book_BMR71

A Level biology through diagramshttps://www.amazon.co.uk/AS-Level-Biology-Through-Diagrams/dp/0199180911/ref=dp_ob_image_bk

Topic specific student guides and workbooks

Topic 1 and 2 Student Guidehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-Biology-Student-Guide-Topics/dp/1471843246/ref=pd_bxgy_14_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=898SVY90A1JE5DBR5E9D

Topic 1 and 2 workbookhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA--Level-Biology-Topics-Workbook/dp/1471844641/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465820013&sr=1-2&keywords=aqa+level+biology+topics

Topic 3 and 4 Student Guidehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-Biology-Student-Guide-Topics/dp/1471843572/ref=pd_sim_sbs_14_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=51GpDM89GIL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR124%2C160_&refRID=3ZNQKBA20E83MK61MQT0

Topic 3 and 4 workbookhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-Level-Biology-Topics-Workbook/dp/147184465X/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=6303P96HPZDYFKGHKFYV

Topics 5 and 6 Student Guidehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA--level-Biology-Student-Guide/dp/1471856690/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465885954&sr=1-10&keywords=aqa+level+biology+topics

Topic 5 and 6 workbookhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA--Level-Biology-Topics-Workbook/dp/1471844684/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465823119&sr=1-4&keywords=aqa+level+biology+topics

Topic 7 and 8 Student Guidehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA--level-Biology-Student-Guide/dp/1471858383/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465823119&sr=1-7&keywords=aqa+level+biology+topics

Topic 7 and 8 workbookhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA--Level-Biology-Topics-Workbook/dp/1471845028/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465823119&sr=1-6&keywords=aqa+level+biology+topics

Cells and Moleculeshttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Biology-Student-Support-Materials-Collins/dp/0008180792/ref=pd_sim_sbs_14_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=51LBvfuJasL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR123%2C160_&refRID=T2B5VS6NNE6PEQC3M2F5

Exchange and the environmenthttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Biology-Student-Support-Materials-Collins/dp/0008189463/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465885954&sr=1-13&keywords=aqa+level+biology+topics

Genetics and Evolutionhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Biology-Student-Support-Materials-Collins/dp/000818948X/ref=sr_1_113?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465819806&sr=1-113&keywords=a+level+biology+books

Respiration and Photosynthesis https://www.amazon.co.uk/Biology-Student-Support-Materials-Collins/dp/0008189471/ref=pd_sim_sbs_14_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=51hg%2B0c1P0L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR123%2C160_&refRID=BT0Q4HFRB9QCRW93HRXP

Recommended reading

On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwino https://www.amazon.co.uk/Origin-Species-Charles-Darwin/dp/1533362955/ref=sr_1_1?

ie=UTF8&qid=1465817080&sr=8-1&keywords=origin+of+species The Selfish Gene

o https://www.amazon.co.uk/Selfish-Gene-Anniversary-Landmark-Science/dp/0198788606/ref=sr_1_1? ie=UTF8&qid=1465817122&sr=8-1&keywords=the+selfish+gene

The Shark’s Paintbrusho https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sharks-Paintbrush-Biomimicry-Inspiring-Innovation/dp/1857886054/

ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465817472&sr=8-1&keywords=the+shark%27s+paintbrush Life’s Greatest Secret

o https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1781251401/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_9? ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

The Blind Watchmakero https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blind-Watchmaker-Richard-Dawkins/dp/0141026162/ref=pd_rhf_sc_s_cp_6?

ie=UTF8&dpID=41FQRV%2BwBSL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_SL500_SR88%2C135_&refRID=RCKBTJA1DMJK4W9FWQ2F

The Extended Phenotypeo https://www.amazon.co.uk/Extended-Phenotype-Reach-Popular-Science/dp/0192880519/

ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51tzsEl1cDL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR103%2C160_&refRID=1VDTT3JF20TM2H34XG9Z

The Magic of Realityo https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Reality-know-whats-really/dp/0552778052/ref=pd_sim_14_9?

ie=UTF8&dpID=51KZx1nFBSL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR105%2C160_&refRID=QWSERB56CCF7DP4FXTEF

What on Earth evolvedo http://www.nhmshop.co.uk/books/popular-science-books/what-on-earth-evolved-in-brief-100-species-

that-have-changed-the-world-book.html Human Evolution

o http://www.nhmshop.co.uk/books/popular-science-books/human-evolution-a-pelican-introduction.html The Malay Archipelago

o https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malay-Archipelago-Pocket-Penguins/dp/0241261872/ref=sr_1_3? ie=UTF8&qid=1465817802&sr=8-3&keywords=alfred+wallace

The Epigenetics Revolutiono https://www.amazon.co.uk/Epigenetics-Revolution-Rewriting-Understanding-Inheritance/dp/

1848313470/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465817852&sr=8-1&keywords=genetics Campbell’s Biology

o https://www.amazon.co.uk/Campbell-Biology-Jane-B-Reece/dp/0321775651/ref=sr_1_2? s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465819452&sr=1-2&keywords=campbell+biology

Biology – A global approacho https://www.amazon.co.uk/Biology-Global-Approach-Pearson-global/dp/1292008652/ref=sr_1_1?

s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465819452&sr=1-1&keywords=campbell+biology Human Anatomy and Physiology

o https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anatomy-Physiology-Dummies-Maggie-Norris/dp/0470923261/ref=sr_1_2? s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465819592&sr=1-2&keywords=human+physiology

Human Physiologyo https://www.amazon.co.uk/Human-Physiology-Dee-Unglaub-Silverthorn/dp/1292094931/ref=sr_1_3?

s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465819618&sr=1-3&keywords=human+physiology The Cell

o https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cell-Visual-Tour-Building-Block/dp/1782402071/ref=sr_1_1? s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465819670&sr=1-1&keywords=the+cell

o

Magazine subscriptions Biological Science Review

https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/Product/9781471856648.aspx National Geographic

http://national-geographic-magazine.co.uk/?gclid=CJqM27H0ps0CFUHGGwodkxcCMQ&gclsrc=aw.ds New Scientist http://subscription.newscientist.com/subscribeppc/newscientist.php?

promCode=8725&packageCodes=TPA&offerCode=Q&cmpid=PSC%7cNSNS%7c2016-UK-adwd-brand&gclid=CM-9n9T0ps0CFVRsGwodjGQHlw&gclsrc=aw.ds#.V1-nDrsrKM8

BBC Focus Science magazinehttps://subscribe.sciencefocus.com/PER16?gclid=CNnPxej0ps0CFUwq0wodq9MAwA

Summer Reading Assignment

1. Choose one of the books below.2. Read the book, highlighting key sections.3. Produce a summary of the key concepts and theories presented in the book. This

should be a minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 2000.

On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

The Selfish Gene

The Shark’s Paintbrush

Life’s Greatest Secret

The Blind Watchmaker

The Extended Phenotype

The Magic of Reality

Human Evolution

The Malay Archipelago

The Epigenetics Revolution

Summer Written Assignment 1. Choose an area of biology that interests you

For example

a. Genetics

b. Zoology

c. Botany

d. Medicine

e. Physiotherapy

f. Sport science

g. Immunology and diseases

h. Cancer

2. Research that area, making notes and recording the articles and publications that you have read

3. Write an extended project on the area of biology that you are interested in.

This could be presented in the following way

a. Written article

b. Newspaper report

c. Dissertation

d. Written project

4. The project should be a minimum of 2000 words and MUST be word processed

5. You should aim to reference your work with articles and scientific literature, including a bibliography at the end.

Summer Academic AssignmentAnswer the following questions. Each question is at least a five mark question from the GCSE specification.

1. Describe and explain the process of natural selection

2. Describe how humans evolved

3. Describe and explain the effect of temperature and pH on enzymes

4. Describe how proteins are produced

5. Describe the process of genetic engineering, providing examples of how genetic engineering is used in medicine and agriculture

6. Describe how advancements in genetics have improved our understanding of the human body

7. Describe and explain the effect of deforestation and agriculture on biodiversity

8. Describe the process of respiration

9. Describe the process of photosynthesis

10. Explain how the human digestive system is adapted to its function