skip to main content

Durham School

Day & Boarding School (Age 3-18)


Biology

Our Curriculum:

Sixth Form

Biology is currently one of the most popular 'AS' choices in the Sixth form.

The AS Course (Year 12) AQA Biology (2410): AS outline

Unit 1- Biology and Disease; 1.15 hour (33% AS mark, 16% A2 mark) Chapters in this unit include; enzymes, cells, heart and lung structure, immunity; and patterns of disease

Unit 2 - The Variety of Living Organisms; 1.45 hour (46% AS mark, 23% A2 mark) Chapters in this unit include; meiosis, DNA structure, variation, classification, cell cycle and transport systems.

Unit 3X - Investigative and Practical Skills; (20% AS mark 10% A2 mark) Unit 3X is an externally marked practical exam and consists of practical work in the context of units 1 + 2.  The students carry out two practical tasks under controlled conditions. This is followed by a written paper based around the work carried out.

The A2 Course (Year 13) AQA Biology (2410): A2 outline

Unit 4 -Populations and the environment - 1hr 30 minutes (17% A-level mark). Chapters in this unit include; photosynthesis, respiration, inheritance and selection, populations and ecosystems.

Unit 5 -Control in Cells and Organisms - 2hrs 15 minutes (26% A-level mark) Chapters in this unit include; homeostasis, coordination, control of protein structure and DNA technology.

Unit 6X - Investigative and Practical Skills - (10%) Unit 6X is an externally marked practical exam and consists of practical work in the context of units 4 + 5. The students carry out two practical exams under controlled conditions. This is followed by a written paper based around the work carried out.

The courses are aimed primarily at candidates who are likely to apply for a university degree course in medicine, veterinary science or courses where there is a significant biological emphasis. The AS course is a big step forward after GCSE Biology and you need to be realistic about your aptitude for a science course. lf you cannot manage to achieve at least a 'B' standard in GCSE science and better than 'C' in English Language and Mathematics then you will find it very hard to succeed in AS and A2 Biology. In particular GCSE candidates will be surprised to discover the amount of chemistry and new terminology which has to be mastered in quite a short time.

Career Prospects:

Careers for biologists exist in areas other than medicine, veterinary science, dentistry or farming. Biologists find employment in horticulture, pharmacy, biochemistry, microbiology, brewing and distilling. For courses in medicine and veterinary science it is not sufficient to be good at Biology, you must excel in all your sciences at A-level and across the board at GCSE.

Faculty

Mr MF Burke BSc (Leeds) PGCE

Mr MF Burke BSc (Leeds) PGCE

Junior Housemaster / Head of Biology

Mr. Burke hails from St. Helens and as such is an avid Rugby League fan. He crossed the Pennines to study Biology and Physiology at the University of Leeds. He then moved north to complete a PGCE at Newcastle University and joined the Biology department at Durham School in 2005. Mr. Burke is currently Head of Biology and can also be found on top ground coaching rugby in the winter and cricket in the summer. Mr Burke took up his post as Junior Housemaster of Poole House in September 2009.


Subjects within Science

More in this section:

"

Durham School has provided an enriching environment for our two very different sons. The House system creates a support network for pupils where both individual and  team achievements are encouraged and celebrated.

"
Mrs Catherine Wood, Parent

Coming Events

View all events