Summary

GCSE Biology is offered as a one-year daytime course. You will spend 3 hours per week in class and you will need to spend a minimum of 4 hours each week on your own studies and home study set by your teacher.

This is an intensive and demanding course which requires full attendance and self directed study. You may need to purchase a textbook (you will be advised as to which one at the start of the course) and also have a suitable scientific calculator.

Topics include:

• Cell biology
• Organisation
• Infection and response
• Bioenergetics
• Homeostasis and response
• Inheritance, variation and evolution
• Ecology
• Key ideas

The course is intended for those entering nursing, teacher training courses or those requiring this qualification for career progression or entry to Higher Education. You will need to have a mature approach to study and be highly self motivated.

There is a lot of practical work, so you will need to enjoy doing experiments on your own and in small groups. You need to be ready to write, calculate, think and join in discussions.