Michael - Ballymena tutor
Information About Michael:
Personal Description:
CCEA AS/A2 BIOLOGY
CURRENT AVAILABILITY: Wednesday and Thursday @ 815pm
I tutor ONLINE only through Microsoft Teams
I do not teach GCSE.
I CANNOT ASSIST WITH OCR, EdExcel or AQA specifications.
I am a senior molecular biologist at Almac Diagnostics where I employ technologies which are required knowledge for the CCEA A-Level Biology specification.
UNIVERSITY:
BSc/Hons in Zoology (1999-2002, QUB)
PhD in Molecular Parasitology (2002-2006, QUB)
PGCE in Biology and Science (2010-2011, QUB)
RESEARCH:
1 - Postdoctoral research scientist (2006-2008, University of Calgary, Canada). Immunology, autoimmunity and parasitology.
2 - Postdoctoral researcher (2008-2009, University of Liverpool). Avian Immunity, Microbiology.
3 - Postdoctoral researcher (2009-2010, Trinity College Dublin). Immunology, autoimmunity, pharmacology.
4 - Scientist in Assay Development and Validation (2014-2022, Almac Diagnostic Services). Human disease DNA/RNA based test development, clinical sample testing, cancer testing, DNA sequencing, primer design
5 - Senior Scientist in Assay Development and Validation (2022-present), Almac Diagnostic Services).
I have published my work in scientific journals and presented at international conferences.
I mentor A-Level students for university interviews and I have an extensive archive of science magazines, news reports, videos and biology related books.
Teaching Experience:
TEACHING:
1 - Teacher of Science (Nov2010-Feb2011, St Pius X College).
2 - Teacher of Biology (Mar2011-May2011, Royal Belfast Academical Institution)
3 - Teacher of Biology (Jun2011-Dec2011, St Pius X College)
4 - Teacher of Biology and Applied Health & Social Care (Jan2012-Jun2013, Hunterhouse College)
5 - Teacher of Science (Aug2013-Dec2013, Sperrin Integrated College)
6 - Teacher of Biology and Applied Health & Social Care (Dec2013-Apr2014, Coleraine High School)
7 - Teacher of Biology (Nov2018-Nov2018, Bloomfield Collegiate School)
I have taught CCEA A Level Biology since 2011 and I have my own resources which include detailed PowerPoints which contain extra non-assessed information to enhance understanding, enthusiasm and which students have found useful for both university and job interviews as well as general preparedness for undergraduate learning; I make learning logs (useful for university interviews) from science magazine articles and news reports, and I communicate assessed information using colourful and succinct revision sheets.
Tutoring Approach:
I have been tutoring A-Level CCEA Biology since January 2012 and I have enjoyed much success with numerous students. I have taught students from Ballycastle High, Ballyclare High, Ballymena Academy, Banbridge Academy, Bloomfield Collegiate, Cambridge House, Dalriada School, Friends School, Hunterhouse College, Larne Grammar, Loreto College, Our Lady & St Patrick`s, Slemish College, Sperrin Integrated, St Killian`s College, St Louis Grammar, St Malachy`s College, St Marys Grammar Magherafelt, St Pius X College, Strathearn School, Victoria College and Wellington Grammar School.
RESOURCES PROVIDED TO STUDENTS: (i) succinct and colourful summary sheets on a per topic basis, the content of which is tailored to the mark schemes (ii) past paper question booklets on a per topic basis (iii) past paper answer booklets of ALL questions from 1997 to the present year (iv) uploaded videos per topic to aid understanding (v) uploaded learning log resources for extra reading (vi) relevant summarised BBC News reports per topic (vii) detailed PowerPoints per topic to broaden knowledge and instill enthusiasm beyond specification content. These are useful, when combined with learning logs, for university interviews. I share these resources via Google Drive so students need to have an account set up.
I have experience as an A-Level and GCSE Biology examiner for the CCEA board which places me in a good position to enhance the examination technique of my students to obtain high grades
Subjects Taught:
Qualifications:
- PGCE Biology with Science
- PhD Molecular Parasitology
- BSc Hons Zoology 2:1
Further Information:
Availability: | Weekdays (evenings) |
Types of Tutoring: | Online |
References Supplied? | Yes |