Business (AQA

Entry Requirements

A Grade 6 in GCSE Business Studies is required (if taken) or a Grade 6 in a related subject such as Geography or History. Students should have an interest in what might be called the ‘real world’ – the world of business, money and work. Students should be able to apply business concepts to problem-solving and have good analytic and evaluative skills. For the A Level course, they must be able to write well-argued short essays. Course Content

Y12

What is business? Managers, leadership and decision-making. Decision-making to improve performance – marketing, operations, finance and human resources.

Business at Berkhamsted

A Level Business is taught in a well-resourced department by experienced teachers. The course content is designed to engage students through topics and issues that are relevant in today’s society, such as digital technology, business ethics and globalisation.

Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to analyse data, think critically about issues and make informed decisions; all skills that are needed for further study and employment.

Y13

Analysing the strategic position of a business; choosing strategic direction; strategic methods, managing strategic change.

Student Comments

Marketing is fun but finance can be tricky. The world of business is of greater importance to us than I realised and its ethical side is fascinating.

Future Prospects

The skills that are developed in A Level Business are sought after and it is recognised by all universities as a serious qualification. A business degree is highly marketable – business graduates are much in demand in business, marketing and retail.

More information about A Level Business and its role in education can be found on the EBEA website: www.ebea.org.uk/.

Entry Requirements

Students require at least Grade 7 in GCSE Biology or Grade 8/7 in Double Award Science, with a Grade 8 in the Biology section. Students who wish to study two Sciences will require Grade 8/8 in Double Award Science and a Grade 8 in both relevant papers.

Course Content

This qualification is linear. Linear means that our students will sit all the exams at the end of their A Level course.

Y12

1 Biological molecules All life on Earth shares a common chemistry. This provides indirect evidence for evolution. Despite their great variety, the cells of all living organisms contain only a few groups of carbon based compounds that interact in similar ways. Topics include: Carbohydrates; Lipids; Proteins; Nucleic Acids and Water

2 Cells All life on Earth exists as cells. These have basic features in common. Differences between cells are due to the addition of extra features. This provides indirect evidence for evolution. All cells arise from other cells, by binary fission in prokaryotic cells and by mitosis and meiosis in eukaryotic cells. Topics include: Cell-surface membrane; Passive and Active transport; Cell signalling and the Immune system.

3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment The internal environment of a cell or organism is different from its external environment. The exchange of substances between the internal and external environments takes place at exchange surfaces. To truly enter or leave an organism, most substances must cross cell plasma membranes. In large multicellular organisms, the immediate environment of cells is some form of tissue fluid. Topics include: Exchange surfaces; Tissue fluid and Mass transport systems

4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms Biological diversity – biodiversity – is reflected in the vast number of species of organisms, in the variation of individual characteristics within a single species and in the variation of cell types within a single multicellular organism. Differences between individuals within a species could be the result of genetic factors, of environmental factors, or a combination of both. Topics include: Genes; The genetic code; Gene mutation; Natural Selection and the index of Diversity.

Y13

5 Energy transfers in and between organisms Life depends on continuous transfers of energy. Topics include: Photosynthesis; Respiration and ATP

6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments A stimulus is a change in the internal or external environment. A receptor detects a stimulus. A coordinator formulates a suitable response to a stimulus. An effector produces a response. Topics include: Receptors; Nerves and Hormones

7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems The theory of evolution underpins modern Biology. All new species arise from an existing species. This results in different species sharing a common ancestry, as represented in phylogenetic classification. Common ancestry can explain the similarities between all living organisms, such as common chemistry, physiological pathways, cell structure, DNA as the genetic material and a ‘universal’ genetic code. Topics include; Inheriting alleles; Species and Populations; Genetic Drift; Natural Selection; Communities and Competition

8 The control of gene expression Cells are able to control their metabolic activities by regulating the transcription and translation of their genome. Although the cells within an organism carry the same genetic code, they translate only part of it. In multicellular organisms, this control of translation enables cells to have specialised functions, forming tissues and organs. Topics include: Regulation of Transcription; Epigenetics; Medical and technological applications and advances.