BIOLOGY

“One third of our private college teachers have PhDs”

Study Biology At Our Top London College

Biology is a very popular subject at Westminster Tutors for budding scientists and prospective medical students. Biology is the study of all living organisms and the natural world, ranging from a single cell to an entire ecosystem. Our students not only gain knowledge on a wide range of biological topics, but also valuable skills in research, analysis, problem solving and organisation.

Course outline

Modules

Module 1

Development of practical skills in biology

Practical skills assessed in a written examination

Planning
Implementing
Analysis
Evaluation

Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2

Foundations in biology

Cell structure
Biological molecules
Nucleotides and nucleic acids
Enzymes
Biological membranes
Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation

Module 3

Exchange and transport

Exchange surfaces
Transport in animals
Transport in plants

Module 4

Biodiversity, evolution and disease

Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
Biodiversity
Classification and evolution

Module 5

Communication, homeostasis and energy

Communication and homeostasis
Excretion as an example of homeostatic control
Neuronal communication
Hormonal communication
Plant and animal responses
Photosynthesis
Respiration

Module 6

Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Cellular control
Patterns of inheritance
Manipulating genomes
Cloning and biotechnology
Ecosystems
Populations and sustainability

Assesment

AS Level Biology

Component 01: Breadth in biology

Assessment of content from modules 1-4
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
50% of total AS level

Component 02: Depth in biology

Assessment of content from modules 1-4
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
50 % of total AS level

A Level Biology

Component 01: Biological processes

Assessment of content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5
100 marks
2 hour 15 minutes written paper
37% of total A level

Component 02: Biological diversity

Assessment of content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6
100 marks
2 hour 15 minutes written paper
37% of total A level

Component 03: Unified biology

Assessment of content from all modules
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
26% of total A level

Practical Endorsement in Biology

Non-exam assessment
At least 12 practical activities to be completed
Reported separately as a pass or a fail

Specification

Teachers will choose the examination board for students joining in Year 12 based on their expertise and specialist knowledge. For Year 13 and retake students, teachers will continue students’ studies with AQA, Edexcel/Pearson, OCR or WJEC/Eduqas. We are also able to offer the Edexcel Salters-Nuffield Biology A course (8BN0 and 9BN0). Please note that we do not offer CIE but can more than map to one of the boards listed.

Teachers

Clare Woodward
BSc (Imperial), PhD (Imperial), PGCE (Garnett)

Paul Schifferes
BSc (Nottingham Trent), PGCE (King’s)

Why Choose Westminster Tutors?

Top independent sixth form college
A level grades 43% A*-A and 80% A*-B
Superbly qualified teachers who care
77% of leavers to Russell Group unis
Exceptional UCAS support
Individual weekly mentoring
100% of our parents recommend us
Celebrating 90 years of academic excellence

Talk to us on today 020 7584 1288

About Us

Westminster Tutors is one of the oldest and best independent sixth form colleges in London. Established in 1934, our culture of scholastic excellence is deeply embedded and sets the standard for other colleges to follow.