Years 9, 10 and 11
IGCSEs were introduced at Monmouth School for Girls in January 2010. They are highly respected qualifications, recognised worldwide and by UCAS, and provide an excellent grasp of science at this level and will also provide a better platform for the study of the sciences at A level.
At the end of Year 9 pupils choose between taking three separate science IGCSEs, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, (Triple Award), and IGCSE Double Award Science.
In both schemes there is no coursework and the examinations take place at the end of Year 11.
Edexcel Biology IGCSE: details of the specifications and a ‘Guide for Students and Parents’ can be found at: http://www.edexcel.org.uk/
Why study Biology?
Do you want to learn about the world around you? A level Biology teaches you how things work; whether it’s your own body, a sub-microscopic cellular process or even a complex ecosystem. You will also learn about when things go wrong and the innovative ways that biologists are attempting to overcome these problems.
Our A level Biology courses place a high value on practical work as an essential part of the learning process, enhancing understanding of the theory and providing ample opportunity to apply and extend your knowledge and understanding in novel situations. Developing proficiency in practical work is a vital component of furthering investigative, problem solving, analysis and evaluation skills that are increasingly important due to the current skills gap in the bioscience industry but are also highly sought after in a wide range of careers beyond medicine and the sciences including the business, legal and financial sectors.
Biology continues to be a rapidly advancing subject in the modern world. Recent and ongoing advances in molecular genetics, proteomics and neuroscience are opening up possibilities that we could not have dreamt of only 30 years ago. Biology is a key subject in preparation for a career in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science, all of which demand top level GCE grades. Studying biology can also lead to careers in pharmacy, the food industry, environmental protection, planning & policy development, forensics and drug development among many others. The analytical and evaluative skills are highly valued in a wide range of career pathways.
You will study a range of topics in class using a variety of up to date resources: scientific articles and data, text books, video, websites, field work and of course experiments and practical investigations.
Monmouth School for Girls and Monmouth School for Boys currently follow a different specification.
Head of Department: Ms L Woodburn
Course outline
Board: Edexcel A level Subject Code: 9BN0
The A level Biology course at Monmouth School for Girls follows the “context-based” Salters-Nuffield approach. This well established approach to the study of biology at A level, uses accessible contexts to provide the basis for in-depth study of the underlying biological principles. An outline of the specification is given below, and further details can be obtained from Edexcel’s website: http://www.edexcel.org.uk/ and the dedicated website provided by The Nuffield Foundation & Salter’s Institute in conjunction with The University of York: http://www.advancedbiology.org/. As at IGCSE, a wide range of learning activities including planning and carrying out practical work, engaging with scientific literature and news articles, thinking skills and problem solving continue to be integral parts of the study of Biology in the Sixth Form at the school.
There are additional sessions and online support for those girls wishing to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary or biomedical science where a BMAT or UKCAT admission test is required.
