Biology AS
The AQA Syllabus is intended to be a natural extension of GCSE. The topics studied in Year 12 provide a bridge to the more demanding aspects of A2.
Why Study Biology?
The subject currently receives 5 periods per week and is taught, almost exclusively, in the Biology Laboratories. Additional tuition is provided each year for Oxbridge candidates. The study of Biology at this level offers the intellectual rigour of the Sciences combined with literacy and communication skills of a fairly high order.
Scheme of Assessment: AS Units
Unit 1: Biology & Disease Topic list: • How digestive and gas exchange systems may be affected by communicable and non-communicable diseases • How a knowledge of basic biology allows us to understand the symptoms of disease and interpret data relating to risk factors.
Unit 2: The Variety of Living Organisms Topic list: • The influence of genetic and environmental factors on intraspecific variation • How the variety of life is reflected in similarities and differences in its biochemical basis and cellular organisation • How size and metabolic rate affect an organism's requirements and give rise to adaptations.
Unit 3: Practical and Investigative Skills Topic list: • Practical work in the contexts of Units 1 and 2 • Assessment of implementing skills on practical work as a whole • Assessment by AQA-set tasks.
Unit 4: Populations & Environment
Topic list:
• How living organisms form ecosystems through which energy is transferred and chemical
elements cycled
• How human activity affects ecological balance in a variety of ways
• How genetic variation and isolation may lead to the formation of new species.
Unit 5: Control in Cells and in Organisms
Topic list:
• Stimulus and responses - the biology of the nervous and endocrine systems
• Homeostasis and the maintenance of a constant internal environment
• Genes and genetic expression.
Unit 6: Practical and Investigative Skills
Topic list:
• Practical work in the contexts of Units 4 and 5
• Assessment of implementing skills on practical work as a whole
• Assessment by AQA-set tasks.
Scheme of Assessment: A2 Units
Career Opportunities
The range of career options open to Biologists is extensive, and ex-students of the College are currently working
in fields as diverse as Genetic Engineering, the Royal Navy and Law.
Chemistry AS
Why Study Chemistry?
The study of Chemistry in the Sixth Form provides the opportunity to further develop a knowledge and understanding
of the principles which were studied at GCSE. The course encourages the development of an awareness
of the huge impact that science and technology have on our society.
Chemistry is one of the most popular A level choices and currently 70 boys are taking A level in the Upper and
Lower Sixth. Chemistry is most often studied alongside two subjects chosen from Mathematics, Physics and
Biology. Boys also regularly take Chemistry alongside other subjects from the arts and humanities.
Scheme of Assessment: AS Units
Unit 1: Foundation Chemistry
Topic list:
• Particles, composition of the nucleus, isotopes and use of mass spectrometer
• Calculating the amount of substance
• Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding and intermolecular forces
• The construction of the periodic table
• Organic chemistry
• Alkanes from crude oil.
Unit 2: Chemistry in Action
Topic list:
• Collision theory and effect
• Definitions of oxidation and reduction
• Redox properties of halogens and halide ions
• The extraction of Metals
• Haloalkanes and alkenes.
Unit 3: Investigative and Practical Skills - Internal Assessment
Topic list:
• Making observations and measurements
• Analysing and evaluating results.
Unit 4: Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry
Topic list:
• Acids and bases
• Nomenclature and Isomerism in organic chemistry
• Compounds containing the carbonyl group
• Amines; base properties and nucleophilic properties
• Polymers
• Organic synthesis and analysis.
Unit 5: Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry
Topic list:
• Thermodynamics
• Periodicity; reactions of Period 3 elements
• Redox equilibria
• General properties of transition metals.
Unit 6: Investigative and Practical Skills - Internal Assessment
Topic list:
• Making observations and measurements
• Analysing and evaluating results.