A Level Biology Field Study Courses  

 *exemplar programmes for the new specifications downloadable

Biology on the Isle of Wight

Ecology is the interaction between living things and their environment... so lets go outside and teach it!

With a wealth of different ecosystems on the doorstep, the Medina Valley Centre, Isle of Wight, offers high quality ecology field study courses which cover the ecological component of AS and A2 Level Biology courses. AS and A2 Level ecology field study courses are tailored to meet the requirements of each syllabus and encourage students to apply their existing knowledge of physiology and metabolic processes to the species distribution and the interactions between living organisms in a variety of habitats.

If appropriate, students can also complete an individual investigation or practical assessment during a residential field study course. The rocky seashore on the eastern tip of the Island is ideal for carrying out AS or A2 Level Biology field studies where students can investigate the adaptations and relationships of a rich diversity of marine wildlife. Ponds, rivers and woodland habitats also lend themselves to an interesting variety of investigations. 

Our field study tutors are active in their own research and have an excellent local knowledge of the Isle of Wight. Along with the online resources for visiting students, long term data sets have been established over the years and an extensive library, which includes text books and relevant papers from journals, has been developed.

Biology field courses can be of duration between two and seven days. These exemplar five day courses of the main syllabuses can be adapted to meet your requirements.

Please contact us for an informal discussion about the courses we can offer.

All field study sites are within a 40 minute drive from the Medina Valley Centre or within walking distance.

Some of the popular options for A Level biology fieldwork are listed below:

G Hartland (2006)

G Hartland (2007)

Saltmarsh Study

The key concepts of zonation and succession are taught as students use sampling techniques to investigate plant distributution and the environmental gradient of a saltmarsh. The Spearman's Rank statistical test is used to analyse the results of the soil samples.

Woodland Management

A short visit to coppiced woodland can be carried out close to the saltmarsh. Alternatively a longer study can be carried out where suitable sampling techniques are used to compare light levels and plant diversity in coppiced, pollarded and conifer woodland.

Rocky Seashore

Students can either carry out a study on food webs and feeding relationships on a rocky shore, where they use ICT to construct pyramids of biomass and energy, or they can investigate competition and coexistence on the seashore by carrying out work in small groups. Students will also have the opportunity to appreciate the diversity of life and consider the adaptations of different species.

River Study

Students compare the water quality of two or three rivers by sampling the freshwater invertebrates found in a kick sample and by taking a number of chemical measurements. The Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) score system is used to analyse the results.

Farm Study

Students work in small groups on a farm to assess the potential production of farm fields, by measuring gradient, slope aspect, soil pH and texture and by mapping land use. Sudents also learn about farming conservation schemes biological control and maximisation agricultural yields and how optimise use of natural and artificial fertilisers.

Conservation Study

Students compare the advantages and disadvantages of in situ and ex situ conservation (can be linked with a Nature Reserve on the Island) and find out about the genetics behind white tigers, of which the Isle of Wight Zoo has the largest collection in Europe.

Estuarine Ecosystem

Students carry out practical work which involves core sampling for invertebrates on mudflats of the Medina Estuary and measuring abiotic variables including tidal height, turbidity and salinity. The data is used to construct food webs and ecological pyramids and can be compared with data from other local ecosystems.

Conservation and Management of the Medina Estuary

The Medina Valley has a high conservation status and has been designated as a SSSI, Ramsar Site, SPA and SAC. Students investigate reasons why these designations have been given and consider potential conflicts with nature conservation to highlight problems of planning & development control within the Medina Valley.

Mark-Release-Recapture

Students investigate the population of either crabs in part of the estuary, periwinkles on the rocky seashore or small mammals in the woodland (subject to tidal conditions and time available) by using the Lincoln Index.

View and print Adobe PDF files

Free Adobe Reader® software lets anyone view and print Adobe PDF files.