Faculty of Science

Human Biology

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Guide to A Level Human Biology (AQA)

Minimum recommended entry requirements:
GCSE Maths grade B, GCSE English Language grade B and GCSE Dual Science grade BB.

Advanced Subsidiary (AS)

The Advanced Subsidiary course is designed to develop essential knowledge and understanding of concepts of Biology, and the skills needed for the use of these in new and changing situations. It also encourages candidates to recognise the value and responsible use of Biology in society. The course is designed for those students with a particular interest in the human animal, but there is reference to other animals and plants. The course consists of 3 units:

Unit 1 Molecules, Cells and Systems 35% of the AS, 17.5% of the A Level.

In this unit the detailed structure and organisation of cells is studied which then leads to the study of various systems such as the circulatory system.

Unit 2 Pathogens and disease 35% of the AS, 17.5% of the A Level.

This unit studies the variety of pathogenic organisms that cause human disease and the ways in which we defend ourselves against them.

Unit 3 Centre-assessed Practical 30% of the AS, 15% of the A Level.

You will be assessed on ten practical skills including carrying out investigations and selecting and retrieving information.

The AS course may be used as the first half (50%) of an Advanced Level qualification, which must be completed before an Advanced Level award can be made.

Advanced Level (A2)

The Advanced Level examination is in two parts:

Advanced Subsidiary (AS) – 50% of the total award
A second examination (A2) – 50% of the total award

The Advanced Level course will comprise the AS course as described above with three further teaching and learning units as detailed below.

Unit 4 Inheritance, Evolution and Ecosystems 15% of the A Level.

This studies the way in which genetic information is transmitted from generation to generation and the way in which natural selection acts on genetic variation to produce the diversity of living organisms. This unit will involve attending a field course in ecology at the Isle of Wight. The cost for this course will be approximately £170.00. An assessed investigation will be carried out using the facilities available at the field centre.

Unit 5 The Human Life-span 15% of the A Level.

This unit studies the processes of reproduction, growth and ageing.

Unit 6 Centre-assessed Practical 10% of the A Level.

Written Synoptic Paper 10% of the A Level.
The centre-assessed practical work assesses similar skills to Unit 3 (AS) but seven skills will be assessed, including one whole investigation.

The written synoptic paper comprises two structured questions and one essay question which test synoptic skills i.e. those skills gained over the whole (AS + A2) course.

Human Biology needs slightly less support from the other sciences than Biology and can therefore be studied more successfully with a variety of other subjects. It has proved to be particularly popular and successful in combination with PE. Biology cannot be studied in combination with Human Biology as some of the units covered are common to both.

If any Biological Science is to be studied at University level, Chemistry should be studied at 16+.

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