Assessment overview
Content is in six modules:
- Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology
- Module 2: Foundations in biology
- Module 3: Exchange and transport
- Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease
- Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy
- Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
| Component |
Marks |
Duration |
Weighting |
insert text |
Biological processes (01)
|
100 |
2 hours 15 mins |
37% |
Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5 |
Biological diversity (02)
|
100 |
2 hours 15 mins |
37% |
Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6 |
Unified biology (03)
|
70 |
1 hour 30 mins |
26% |
Assesses content from all modules (1 to 6) |
Practical endorsement in biology (04)
|
- |
- |
- |
Non-exam assessment |
All components include synoptic assessment.
Students must complete all components (01, 02, 03, and 04) to be awarded the OCR A Level in Biology A.
Content overview
Content is in six modules, each divided into key topics:
Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology
- Practical skills assessed in a written examination
- 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
Students gain practical skills throughout the course. These are assessed in the written examinations and in the practical endorsement (component 04). Activities that could count towards the practical endorsement are indicated in the specification.