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Monday 6 February 2012
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Biology
Biology is offered at all levels in Upper School and is taught by one of the four specialist teachers within the department.
Biology is a very popular subject, with usually two or three mixed ability classes in each year group.
In Upper 1 and 2, courses are based on the 5-14 Environmental Studies Guidelines and learning builds on Primary knowledge with a strong emphasis on practical work.
In Upper 1 the main theme is Reproduction with a focus on flowering plants and animals. Simple consideration is also given to inheritance and the nature of DNA.
In Upper 2 the main theme is Food and considers the structure and function of plants in relation to photosynthesis followed by investigations into the human digestive system.
Pupils wishing to continue with Biology in their certificate years are then offered the following SQA courses: (for course details see SQA website http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/2571.html)
- Standard Grade Biology (General and Credit level) – a 2 year course in U3 and U4. The main topics include: Biosphere, Investigating Cells, Body In Action, The World of Plants, Inheritance, Animal Survival and Biotechnology.
- Higher Biology – a one year course available to pupils in U5 or U6 that achieved Credit Grades for Standard Grade or an Grade B or above at Intermediate 2.
- Advanced Higher Biology – available to pupils in U6 that achieved Grade B or above at Higher.
- Intermediate 2 Biology – a one year course available to pupils in U5 or U6 who achieve General grades for Standard Grade Biology.
In addition to preparing pupils for examinations, the Biology department engenders enthusiasm for the subject by placing a strong emphasis on consolidation of knowledge through practical work wherever possible.
This includes experiments, role-play, model building, field work, project work, investigations, making posters and conducting surveys. Should it be needed, help is always available and for those pupils who wish it, lunchtime revision classes are offered prior to exams.