Biology
Miss S Rowan 鈥� Head of Department
鈥淗ow on Earth are you ever going to explain in terms of Chemistry and Physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?鈥澨� Albert Einstein
Biology is the study of life and living organisms, from the complex biochemical processes and molecular organisation of the simplest organisms to the vast interactions that allow the functioning of the global biosphere.听 Biological complexity emerges from the laws and models of Physics and Chemistry in unpredictable and exciting ways; this inherent variability of biological systems is what allows life to change and adapt.听 As new technologies are developed, these systems can be investigated in increasing detail in a constantly evolving discipline of science.
Our vision
At 麻豆官网, our aim is to inspire students to have the courage and enthusiasm to explore and understand the beauty, complexity and sheer wonder of Biology. The Biology department is a team of specialist teachers with abundant enthusiasm for and expertise in Biology and the sciences in general.
The multidisciplinary nature of Biology as a subject makes it an ideal companion subject to Chemistry, Geography and Physical Education and the content of these three subjects overlap in many ways.听 Increasingly, Biology is seen as a complementary subject to Physics and Computing due to the expanding fields of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics.听 The scientific method and ethical dilemmas posed by many applications of Biology allow students to apply the skills gained in their Philosophy lessons, and to communicate the science effectively using skills gained in English.听 The analysis, models and statistical techniques of Biology are transferable and desirable to many subjects such as Economics and Maths.听 Finally, the diversity of biological form has inspired many artists and continues to inspire students today in Art and influences the Design of many products, aesthetic and biotechnological.听 The Biology department sees our subject as a central component of the curriculum at 麻豆官网 which will appeal to and complement the studies of every student.
Our vision for a student of Biology is broad and retains flexibility so that students have the freedom to follow their own path through the biological sciences whilst equipping themselves for further study and employment, whatever their chosen subject.
The 麻豆官网 Biology learner profile (adapted from the IB learner profile and aims of the OCR Biology A course):
KS3: years 7 and 8
All students follow the Biology course as outlined in the KS3 Science section of the website.听 This scheme has been developed to introduce students to the skills and concepts required by the KS4 course.听 Early exposure to these allows students to successfully make an early transition to the KS4 course.
KS4: years 9 to 11
Students follow the AQA Biology course in year 9 and follow either the Combined Science Trilogy course or Biology course in year 10 and 11.听 The course content is largely comparable, with additional content in the Biology course. The decision about which course to take is done to secure the best possible outcome at GCSE for each particular student.
Combined Science Trilogy: Students learn Biology, Chemistry and Physics in separate lessons with a subject specialist and are examined by separate papers. Students achieve two GCSEs that reflect a combination of their performance across all sciences.
Biology: Students are taught by a subject specialist and achieve a separate GCSE certificate for Biology and for each other Science, and so achieve three GCSEs.
Both GCSE courses build on the KS3 course and teaching over 3 years allows the introduction of KS5 content to stretch the most able and ease the transition from KS4 to KS5.听 Training in the appropriate practical, investigative, mathematical, data-handling, analytical and evaluative skills are provided throughout the course in the appropriate contexts.听 This includes, but is not limited to, the required practical activities identified in the specification.
Year 9
Students study the fundamental principles of which underpin the study of Biology.听 These are revisited repeatedly during year 10 and 11 in specific contexts.听
- Cell Biology
Cell structure (including microscopy)
Cell division
Transport in cells
- Organisation
Principles of organisation
Animal tissues, organs and organ systems
听Year 10
The majority of content is shared between the Combined Science Trilogy and Biology courses.听 Students build on the content learnt in Year 9 by placing it into specific biological context.听
- Organisation (continued)
Animal tissues, organs and organ systems
Plant tissues, organs and systems
- Infection and response
| Core content | Biology only content |
| Communicable diseases
Preventing disease Non-communicable diseases |
Culturing of microorganisms (practical training in aseptic technique).
Monoclonal antibodies Plant diseases |
- Bioenergetics
Photosynthesis
Respiration
- 麻豆官网ostasis and response
| Core content | Biology only content |
| 麻豆官网ostasis
The human nervous system
|
The human brain
The human eye |
Year 11
Students continue to develop their skills and apply the core principles to new situations
- 麻豆官网ostasis and response (continued)
| Core content | Biology only content |
| Hormonal coordination in humans
|
Control of body temperature
The human kidney Plant hormones |
- Inheritance, variation and evolution
| Core content | Biology only content |
| Reproduction
Variation and evolution The development of understanding of genetics and evolution Classification of living organisms |
DNA structure
Cloning Theory of evolution Speciation The understanding of genetics |
Ecology
| Core content | Biology only content |
| Adaptations, interdependence and competition
Organisation of an ecosystem Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems |
Rates of decomposition
Impact of environmental change Trophic levels in an ecosystem Food production |
Assessment
GCSE examinations are held in May/June at the end of year 11 in the form of two papers:
Paper 1: Cells and organisation, Disease & Bioenergetics
Paper 2: Biological responses, Genetics & Reproduction, Ecology
Termly progress assessment is carried out across the course as follows, and informs the grade sent out to parents. (Assessments are comprised of past paper GCSE questions that address each of the government-specified ):
KS5 Biology
Over half the students at 麻豆官网 choose to study Biology beyond GCSE and we have a strong track record of delivering positive outcomes for all students regardless of their ability and interests.
The structure and content of both the Combined Science Trilogy and Biology GCSE courses allow smooth transition onto the A Level or IB courses due to the teaching of core concepts in year 9 and repeated revision and application of these concepts in context during year 10 and 11.
A KS5 qualification in Biology is highly regarded for the specific Biological skills and knowledge gained, but also for the valuable transferable skills gained through the study of an experimental science.
Our commitment to the provision of a comprehensive programme of practical activities which exceed the requirements of the specification at KS5 has been commended in monitoring visits by OCR. We apply the same approach to practical at all key stages and courses.
A Level Biology
The A Level is taught in a similar order to the GCSE to give a sense of familiarity to students and to promote early exposure to key concepts in year 12.听 As for the GCSE, these core concepts are revisited extensively in year 13 where they are taught in context.听 Content covers broadly the same scope as the GCSE course, but goes into significantly more detail.
The six modules are as follows:
Assessment
A Level examinations are held in May/June at the end of year 13 in the form of three papers:
Paper 1: assesses content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5
Paper 2: assesses content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6
Paper 3: assesses content from all modules (1 to 6)
Students also collate evidence towards their practical endorsement throughout the course.
IB Diploma (higher or standard level)
As with the A Level, the content of the IB covers broadly the same scope as the GCSE course, but going into more detail at Standard Level (SL) and significantly more detail and additional content at Higher Level (HL).听 Content is broadly comparable to the A Level, with emphasis on the study of interactions at different levels of biological organisation through four unifying themes: Unity & diversity, Form & function, Interaction & interdependence and Continuity & change. In year 12 we explore each theme at the Molecular and Cellular levels of organisation. Teaching these foundational principles first maintains familiarity from GCSE, and the parity between the A Level and IB courses allows students from either programme to study together and benefit from knowledge transfer.听This then prepares students for study at the whole Organism and ultimately Ecosystem levels in year 13.
The experimental programme is rigorous, with emphasis on skill development. Students have plentiful opportunities for hands-on practical work, use of simulations, models and technology. All students take part in the collaborative sciences project; an interdisciplinary sciences project that addresses real-world problems that can be explored through the range of subjects in the sciences group.
Assessment
External assessment
All students sit two external examinations:
Paper 1A includes multiple-choice questions on the syllabus
Paper 1B includes data-based questions that are syllabus related, addressing all themes.
Paper 2A includes data-based questions from unfamiliar contexts and short-answer questions.
Paper 2B includes extended-response questions that focus on holistic knowledge and understanding of a wide range of syllabus content, skills, concepts and understandings.
Internal assessment (IA)
This scientific investigation makes up 20% of the final grade. Students submit an individual report, with a maximum word count of 3,000 words.
Extra-curricular activities
The biology department offers many opportunities for students to go beyond their normal teaching experience.
- KS3 CREST awards are extensively supported by the Biology team
- The British Biology Olympiad is open to all Year 13 and selected year 12 students and is an opportunity to demonstrate Biological instinct and reasoning as well as exceptional subject knowledge.
- Intermediate Biology Olympiad open to year 12
- Biology challenge open to year 9/10
- MedSoc offers potential Medics, Vets, Dentists and Oxbridge applications the opportunity to gain advice from admissions tutors and practising medics
- Science/STEM Fair offers opportunities to work on and showcase individual or group projects
- Grow club is a hands-on club open to all year groups where students learn the practicalities of growing plants for both edible and aesthetic purposes
- Extended Project Qualification (A Level)
- Extended Essay (IB)
