Biology

The key aims of the biology curriculum are fostering an interest in living things and encouraging respect for other forms of life, raising awareness of current biological issues such as DNA technology, and improving pupils’ understanding of their role in the maintenance of the biosphere, on which we all depend.
As well as providing the best possible learning environment for pupils with a vocational interest in biological and medical sciences, we aim to provide a general knowledge of science and biology to all pupils, irrespective of whether they intend to follow a career in science.

Standard Grade Biology is taught with as much hands-on practical work as possible, and staff are always looking out for new and innovative ways of presenting biological concepts.
At Higher we offer Higher Biology rather than Human Biology to give the pupils knowledge of biological topics relating to all living organisms.
Our extensive grounds offer an ideal external classroom for the study of Biology.

Pupils study Biology for 2 hr per week in S1 and 1hr per week in S2
The main areas for study at this stage are:

• Characteristics of life
• Cell structure and microscope work
• Classification
• Food and digestion
• Animal reproduction
• Plant Reproduction
• Microbes
• The senses
• Respiratory system
• Circulatory system
• Importance of plants

The importance of developing ideas which can be tested by experiment in a controlled fashion in the laboratory is emphasised throughout S1 and S2. Active participation in all aspects of class room activity is encouraged.

Assessment

In both years, pupils sit a summative assessment in November and May which tests equally their knowledge and understanding of content and the development of their problem solving skills. Practical Ability skills are promoted in a formative way throughout the course and assessed summatively in May.
Homework is provided on a weekly basis in both S1 and S2.

The Standard Grade Biology course is studied over two years in S3 and S4. The pupils get three periods per week in both years. It is split into seven topics, the first four are studied during S3 and the other three are completed in S4.
3rd Year topics:-

The World of Plants – the uses of plants in industry, agriculture, and the production of food and medicines; plant reproduction and survival; the anatomy and function of plants, including the importance of photosynthesis.
Investigating Cells – the structure and function of cells including diffusion, cell division, enzymes and energy transfers.
Animal Survival – the nature and digestion of food; reproduction and care of the young; the role of our kidneys in regulating water content and the effects and treatment of kidney disease.
The Biosphere – the study of basic ecology to gain an understanding of the management and conservation of our environment. Also the nature and control of pollution. Field studies at several locations are undertaken.
4th Year topics:-

Inheritance – variation within species; how physical characteristics are inherited; determination of sex; genetic disorders and their diagnosis; selective breeding and mutation. Ethical issues relating to Genetics are discussed.
Biotechnology – brewing, wine-making, cheese and yoghurt manufacture; treatment and disposal of sewage and other waste; alternatives to fossil fuels; genetic engineering; “biological detergents”; immobilisation of enzymes and continuous-flow processing in industry.

The Body in Action – the role of our skeleton in support and movement; the structure, function, injury and disease of our joints; the functions of the heart and the lungs; the brain and the senses; physical fitness and the effects of exercise.
Homework is provided on a weekly basis in both S3 and S4.

Assessment

There are three assessable elements which are weighted as shown: Knowledge and Understanding (KU): biological facts, ideas, techniques and the application of biology in society (40%). Problem Solving (PS): selecting and presenting information, carrying out calculations, drawing conclusions and making predictions from data (40%). Practical Abilities (PA): performing ten practical techniques and designing and carrying out two laboratory investigations (20%). Practical Abilities are assessed in School during the course.
KU and PS are assessed externally by the SQA in General and Credit examinations at the end of S4.

The Higher Biology course is taught over five periods per week and consists of three units that cover the following content areas:

Cell Biology:-
Cell Structure in Relation to Function
Photosynthesis
Energy Release
Synthesis and Release of Proteins
Cellular Response in Defence in Animals and Plants

Genetics and Adaptation:-
Dihybrid inheritance
Variation
Selection and Speciation
Animal and Plant Adaptations

Control and Regulation:-
The Control of Growth and Development
Physiological Homeostasis
Population Dynamics

The course provides opportunities for students to acquire:
· knowledge and understanding of biological concepts, facts, ideas and techniques and the applications of biology in society and industry;
· skills in problem solving;
· practical abilities associated with biology;

· an interest in biology and being aware that they can make decisions which affect the well-being of themselves and others, and the quality of their environment.
Homework is provided on a regular basis in S5 related to the topic being studied.

Assessment

To gain the award candidates must pass all unit assessments as well as the externally set examination of 2 hours 30 minutes.
Practical work is internally assessed and a pupil must also achieve a pass in this to be able gain an overall course award.

Advanced Higher Biology is taught over five periods per week and allows for a more independent level of study and organisation than lower down the School. S6 pupils have more freedom to complete practical and written work at a time that suits them. They are also encouraged to use the Scholar website to expand their knowledge. This places greater responsibility on them, something seen as a vital introduction to university.

Early in the autumn term all pupils attend a residential field course at Lochranza Field Centre on Arran. They investigate the seashore and the fresh water loch and examine how organisms adapt to different habitats.

The Advanced Higher course consists of:
Two mandatory units
Cell and Molecular Biology (Structure, function and growth of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their components; molecular interactions in cell events; applications of DNA technology including the human genome project and gene therapy
Environmental Biology (Circulation and interactions in ecosystems; human impact on environment)
One optional unit Physiology, Health and Exercise expands on their knowledge of circulatory system and the effect of exercise on it. Diabetes and osteoporosis are also studied.

Biology Investigation

Investigations are conducted by each pupil on any Biological topic of their choice, providing the opportunity to study and report on a selected topic in depth over approximately 20 hours. A report of 2000 – 2500 words is submitted for external assessment. The investigation constitutes 20% of the overall mark.
Homework is provided on a regular basis using past paper questions to develop the skills required for the external exam.

Assessment

To gain the award candidates must pass all unit assessments as well as the externally set examination of 2 hours 30 minutes that will contribute 80% of the marks.