Biology

 

SPECIFIC AIMS OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Biology Department aims to:

• develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of biological concepts;

• develop in pupils the skills needed for the use of biological concepts in new and changing situations in a range of domestic, industrial and environmental contexts;

• ensure that pupils are aware of advances in scientific and technological development, including those related to the environment, personal health and quality of life;

• provide pupils with opportunities to develop and apply their knowledge and understanding of the nature of science and of the scientific process;

• develop pupils’ understanding of the relationships between hypotheses, evidence, theories and explanations;

• develop pupils’ awareness of risk and the ability to assess potential risk in the context of potential benefits;

• enable pupils to develop and apply their observational, practical, modelling, enquiry and problem-solving skills and understanding in laboratory, field and other learning environments;

• develop pupils’ ability to evaluate claims based on science through critical analysis of the methodology, evidence and conclusions, both qualitatively and quantitatively;

• develop pupils’ skills in communication, mathematics and the use of technology in scientific contexts; and

• develop and sustain pupils’ enjoyment of and interest in Biology.

 

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM

At Key Stage 3, Biology is taught as part of a general Science programme. Please click here to access the Science Subject Area section of this website for Key Stage 3 information.

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM

At Key Stage 4, the Biology Department offers Double Award Biology at GCSE Level. Pupils follow the CCEA Double Award Science specification. Biology is delivered over four lessons per fortnight in Year 11 and in Year 12.

Unit 1: Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity (11%)

In this unit, students learn about cells, photosynthesis, nutrition and health, enzymes, breathing and respiration, the nervous system and hormones, and ecological relationships. Students begin by investigating the cell and its importance as the fundamental building block of life, and develop their understanding of the key processes that occur in plants and animals. Finally, they carry out fieldwork in a natural ecosystem to observe living specimens and explore how organisms are adapted to their environment.

This unit is assessed in the form of an external written examination. Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing and calculations.

There are two tiers of entry. Foundation and Higher Tiers

Pupils will have 1 hour to complete the assessment for this unit. 

Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 11.   

Pupils’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.   

 

Unit 2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health (14%)

In this unit, students focus on osmosis and plant transport, the circulatory system, reproduction, fertility and contraception, genome,chromosomes, genes and DNA, cell division and genetics, variation and selection, microorganisms, defence mechanisms and cancer. Students develop their understanding of the processes involved in maintaining all life and investigate problems that arise due to genetic or environmental causes. Students also explore the issues associated with non-communicable diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and cancer.

 This unit is assessed in the form of an external written examination.  Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing and calculations.

There are two tiers of entry. Foundation and Higher Tiers

Pupils will have 1 hour 15min to complete the assessment for this unit. 

Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 12.

Pupils’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.   

 

Unit 7: Practical Skills (25%)

Units 1 and 2 in each discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) include a number of practical tasks that students carry out during the course; 18 of these are prescribed practicals. This unit comprises Unit 7 Biology, Unit 7 Chemistry and Unit 7 Physics. Each of these has two parts: Booklet A and

Booklet B. CCEA set and mark both booklets.

 Booklet A (7.5%) is a practical skills assessment. It assesses students’ ability to carry out three practical tasks based on but not identical to the 18 prescribed practical’s listed in the specification.

 There are two tiers of entry. Foundation and Higher Tiers

Pupils will have 1 hour to complete each practical task.

They will be carried out between 1 January and 1 May of Year 12

 Booklet B (17.5%) is a written, externally assessed examination taken during the final year of study. It assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of practical science. It consists of questions about planning and carrying out any of the prescribed practical tasks, together with more general questions about any practical situation that arises in Units B1, B2, C1, C2, P1 and P2 in this specification.  P

 There are two tiers of entry. Foundation and Higher Tiers

Total time: 1 hour 30 mins (Biology 30 mins, Chemistry 30 mins and Physics 30 mins) 

Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 12.

 

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 5 CURRICULUM

At Key Stage 5, the Biology Department offers Biology at AS and A2 Level. Students follow the CCEA specification. At AS and A2 Level, Biology is delivered over eleven lessons per fortnight.

At AS Level, students must successfully complete three modules. A further three modules must be successfully completed at A2 Level.

 

AS BIOLOGY

Unit 1: Molecules and Cells (37.5% of AS AND 15% of A Level)

This unit deals with molecules, enzymes, viruses, cells, cell physiology, continuity of cells, and tissues and organs. These are core topics in GCE Biology and underpin many of the other topics involved.

This unit is assessed in the form of a written examination.

Pupils will have 1 hour 30min to complete the assessment for this unit. 

Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 13.

Pupils’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.  

 

Unit 2: Organisms and Biodiversity (37.5% of AS and 15% of A Level)

This unit covers transport and exchange mechanisms in plants and mammals, adaptations of organisms and biodiversity with an emphasis on local contexts. 

This unit is assessed in the form of a written examination.

Pupils will have 1 hour 30min to complete the assessment for this unit. 

Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 13.

Pupils’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.    

 

Unit 3: Practical Skills  (25% of AS and 10% of A Level)

This unit includes a series of required practical assessments and a written examination assessing practical skills. (Teachers mark the practical assessment, and CCEA moderate the results.)

Pupils will keep a laboratory book to record evidence of practical procedures completed throughout the year. This evidence will be used by teachers to record their success in practical skills and will be externally moderated by CCEA.

Pupils will have 1 hour to complete the written examination this unit.

The written examination for this unit will take place at the end of Year 13.

This written examination in this unit will be externally assessed.    

 

A2 BIOLOGY

Unit 4: Physiology, Co-ordination and Control, and Ecosystems (24% of A Level)

This unit covers homeostasis including the kidney and excretion, immunity, co-ordination and control in plants and animals, and ecosystems.

This unit is assessed in the form of a written examination.

Pupils will have 2 hour 15min to complete the assessment for this unit. 

Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 14.

Pupils’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.    

 

Unit 5: Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends (24% of A Level)

This unit covers the biochemical processes of respiration and photosynthesis. Students explore genetics on a number of levels: DNA as the genetic code, gene technology, patterns of inheritance and the mechanism of change in population genetics that contributes to evolutionary trends. Students also learn about a variety of phyla in the plant and animal kingdoms.

This unit is assessed in the form of a written examination.

Pupils will have 2 hour 15min to complete the assessment for this unit. 

Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 14. 

Pupils’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.    

 

Unit 6: Practical Skills in Biology (20%)

This unit includes a series of practical tasks and written examination assessing practical skills. (Teachers mark the practical assessment, and CCEA moderate the results.)

Pupils will keep a laboratory book to record evidence of practical procedures completed throughout the year. This evidence will be used by teachers to record their success in practical skills and will be externally moderated by CCEA.

Pupils will have 1 hour and 15min to complete the written examination this unit.  

The written examination for this unit will take place at the end of Year 14.

This written examination in this unit will be externally assessed.    

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROVISION

The Biology Department contributes extensively to the school’s extra-curricular provision. Extra-curricular activities include:

• KS3 Science Club

• AS field trip to the sea shore at Portaferry and a visit to the Exploris aquarium;

• Revision days for GCSE and A Level

 

CAREERS

In the study of Biology, pupils have the opportunity to develop their communication skills, sense of enquiry, practical skills and powers of observation and interpretation.  These qualities form an excellent foundation for a wide range of careers including:

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Pharmacy
• Veterinary Science
• Genetic Engineering
• Marine Biology
• Teaching
• Forensic Science
• Food Science
• Food Engineering
• Medical Research
• Environmental Protection
• Sustainable Energy Development