We can't wait to welcome you to Andover College in September!
We have created this interactive page to give you a sense of what studying Biology at Andover College is like. Scroll down to learn more about the course on offer and learn about the heart and accompanying activity focusing on dissection and analysis!
We will be regularly posting content onto this page to help prepare you for starting college in September - make sure to send us any work you complete to andoverapplicantwelcome@sparsholt.ac.uk with 'Biology' as the subject heading!
Check out all the extra help and support we can provide through our experienced Careers and Health & Wellbeing teams.
New Activity!
Take a look at this video providing an Introduction to Biological Molecules: Monomers & Polymers.
Take a look at the document below for some information and advice about the transition from GCSE to A-Level.
The Biology department have also developed another experiment for you to try at home looking into extracting your own DNA!
You could also take a look at 60 Second Science podcasts on a variety of topics - available here.
About the Course!
Biology is the study of life at all levels from cellular through ecosystems to the human body! At Andover College your Biology course will include a huge variety of topics, including, genetic engineering, human health and disease, biodiversity, ecology, physiology of exercise and climate change!
We place added value on the practical elements of this course and you will regularly complete interactive laboratory sessions in our fantastic on-site facilities.
Home heart dissection
Take a look at the accompanying workbook for a step-by-step guide to completing a heart dissection at home. Make sure you are safe with all equipment used and wash your hands and surfaces thoroughly after.
Additional Resources
Interested in learning more about the various topics you will cover as a Biology student at Andover? Take a look at the resources below and make sure you let us know how you get on!
Video: Carbon... SO SIMPLE: Crash Course Biology Here.
Come and learn about covalent, ionic, and hydrogen bonds. What about electron orbitals, the octet rule, and what does it all have to do with a mad man named Gilbert Lewis?
Video: Why water is the most important and fascinating substance on Earth! Here.
Video: Biological Molecules - You Are What You Eat: Crash Course Biology. Learn about the molecules that make up every living thing - carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins - and how we find them in our environment and in the food that we eat. Here.
Further activity; write an essay on “Cellular Reproduction of DNA”, you can include information learnt at GCSE and do further reading. This should be no more than 2 hand written sides of A4 paper. The topics you need to talk about are Mitosis and Meiosis. Diagrams are very good at help to explain a point. All sources should be listed at the end of the work.
The Open University has a variety of free online courses available in an array of different subjects. Take a look at the catalogue here and explore the different course topics available.
You could also investigate the courses offered at the EtonX web page; please note these are paid for programmes that your current school may have access to so please check with them and back here regularly for updates.
Student wellbeing and support
At Andover College we understand that starting college in these uncertain times can be daunting and we aim to make this process as simple as possible.
We have a dedicated team that provide our students with any additional support they need including;
- Counselling
- Carer support
- Childcare support
- Confidential one-to-one services
We have also recently introduced two new members to the wellbeing team ... Arlo and Romeo the Therapy Dogs!
Arlo and Romeo are part of the continued effort from Andover College to consistently improve on and add to provisions for students. They are based on campus with their owners throughout term.
Research has shown that students are significantly less stressed and anxious, and even have increased happiness and energy, immediately following spending time in a drop-in session with a dog present. What good boys!
Our Courses:
A-Level in Biology (2 Years)
Oxford Press Resources
Oxford University Press have produced a variety of activities to enable your learning over the long summer break. Make sure you let us know how you get on!
Science resources available here.
Heart Dissection Workbook Download
Careers Guidance
Our careers guidance aims to expand the horizons of all students enabling you to make informed career decisions in order to progress both during and after college.
Carol is our dedicated Careers Advisor for Andover College!
We also have our Sun Progression Mentor Anna!
Anna works alongside the Southern Universities Network (SUN) to help students recognise the routes of progression available to them, and to continue their journey in education!
We recently launched the new Careers Hub located in the College library so come and say hello to Carol and Anna!
Getting organised
Want to get organised before you start at college? Here is the link for the textbook you will need for the full two year course. This is also available on various other selling platforms such as Ebay.
Amazon - Text book here.
In addition there are various books to help you prior to the start of your course in September. Head Start to A-Level Biology - Here.
The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming By David Wallace Wells - here.
This is Going to Hurt By Adam Kay - here.
Again, other sources and sellers are available.