Biology
Life is both fascinating and amazing, often times beautiful and sometimes shocking in its appearance or behaviour.
Modern biology is a vast and diverse field, composed of many branches and sub-disciplines, and here at Sunny View we aim to deliver a varied and interesting study of the wonders of this natural science.
Why study Biology?
Have you ever looked in wonder and awe at a living organism you’ve discovered? Are you the kind of person that constantly asks how and why? Are you interested in how your body works? What makes you how you are? How do ecosystems develop and function? If the answer to these questions is yes, then studying Biology will both captivate and inspire you.
Biologists can specialise in many different fields: Agriculture, Anatomy, Physiology, Botany, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Medicine, Pharmacology as well as Environmental Sciences such as Ecology, Zoology and Conservation to name but a few!
Recent Biology graduates from Sunny View are studying Medicine, Marine Biology, Dentistry and Neuroscience. The possible future careers are limitless when you have an inquiring mind, and an understanding of scientific methods and principles.
Biology at Key Stage 5 (Year 12 and 13) IAL
Should a student wish to study Biology at a more advanced level, we undertake the two-year International GCE Edexcel A level. This is examined externally via 6 written exams in total: Three exams in the summer of Year 12, and the remaining three in the summer of Year 13.
In the AS year 4 topics are covered, these are:
Unit 1
Lifestyle, health and risk
Genes and health
Unit 2
The voice of the genome
Biodiversity and natural resources
Unit 3
Unit 3 is a written practical paper which examines students' understanding of the core practical investigations conducted throughout the course, on how science works, skills, data analysis and experimental design, and scientific article understanding.
In the A2 year a further 4 topics are covered, these are:
Unit 4
On the wild side
Infection, immunity and forensics
Unit 5
Run for your life
Grey matter
Unit 6
Unit 6 is a further written practical paper which examines students' understanding of the core practical investigations conducted throughout the course, on how science works, skills, data analysis and experimental design.