Mr D Spence (Head of Department)
Mrs C Leeper
Mrs R Crooks
Mrs L Totten
Mrs J Wray
Mrs E Glynn
Life and Health Sciences
This Single Award A Level subject delivers a robust understanding of Biology and Chemistry for students who want to study Science at A Level but do not want to commit two of their A Level choices to the two subjects separately.
It also allows a pathway into A Level Science for students who have achieved a high grade in GCSE Single Award Science.
The content is delivered by experienced Biology and Chemistry teachers.
The 2015 MATRIX sector report identified a significant skills gap in the life and health sciences sector, which generates £800m turnover per year in Northern Ireland.
This engaging qualification, developed with local employers including Almac, Norbrook and Intelesens, will foster the essential skills required by this growing sector and provide learners with numerous pathways into a wide range of STEM careers.
Single Award Life & Health Sciences
If you are planning to apply for a very competitive Science course at university (e.g. Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Biomedical Science) it is recommended that you study Biology and Chemistry as separate A Level subjects.
Single Award Life & Health Sciences is accepted as the Science option in a range of courses (e.g. some Nursing, Food Science and Engineering disciplines – you should check university websites and prospectuses to see if it is accepted for the courses that you are interested in applying for).
AS1 and A21 are internally assessed (coursework) units that develop essential scientific research and reporting skills.
| AS Content | Assessment | AS Weighting |
| Unit 1 Experimental Techniques | Internal assessment – portfolio of evidence of Biology, Chemistry and Physics practical work | 33.34%
|
| Unit 2 Human Body Systems | External written examination 1 hour 30 mins | 33.33%
|
| Unit 3 Aspects of Physical Chemistry in Industrial Processes | External written examination 1 hour 30 mins | 33.33%
|
| A2 Content | Assessment | A2 Weighting |
| Unit 1 Scientific Method, Investigation, Analysis and Evaluation | Internal assessment – students complete a portfolio of evidence that includes an essay, plans, a lab book, and a report with analysis and evaluation | 33.34%
|
| Unit 2 Organic Chemistry | External written examination 1 hour 45 mins | 33.33%
|
| Unit 5 Genetics, Stem Cell Research and Cloning | External written examination 1 hour 45 mins | 33.33%
|
Entry requirements
Students seeking to study AS Single Award Life & Health Sciences must have:
- At least a grade B in GCSE Chemistry and Biology, or at least a grade BB in GCSE Double Award Science, or at least a grade A in GCSE Single Award Science (please note that all units in the aforementioned subjects must be taken at Higher Tier) and;
- At least a grade B in GCSE Mathematics.