Biology
Aims
The aims of the Department are to develop the scientific knowledge, 
understanding and practical skills of all pupils throughout their entire school career.
These aims should be in the context of the pupils becoming future members of a caring society, who will need to make important decisions on a wide variety of issues that require an informed decision from a biological standpoint.
The Biology Department is justifiably proud of its record at all levels of public examination. We aim to get the best out of each pupil so that he or she can proceed from QEGS to the most appropriate university course or career.
Throughout all years, students should be able to:
- Recall, understand, use and apply the knowledge set out in the syllabus together with extra material where this is considered desirable.
- Communicate biological observations, ideas and arguments in good English using a range of scientific and technical vocabulary and appropriate scientific and mathematical conventions.
- Evaluate relevant biological information and make informed judgements from it; use practical equipment with confidence and care to enable them to carry out experimental and investigative work in which they plan procedures, systematically take measurements and make observations, analyse and evaluate evidence and relate this to scientific knowledge and understanding.
In order to achieve this we aim:
- To provide a broad, balanced curriculum which appeals to pupils of both sexes and all cultural backgrounds.
- To provide courses appropriate to the abilities of all groups of pupils, there being material to interest, stimulate and challenge all individuals.
- To provide a scientific, and specifically biological, base upon which pupils might build a career.
- Throughout all years, to support cross-curricular themes of numeracy, literacy, health, and information technology.
- To show, where possible, the relationship between Biology and other areas of the curriculum, together with an awareness of the role of biological principles in society in general.
In the first two years (Years 7 and 8):
We provide practically based courses that form a strong foundation for GCSE Biology, where pupils elect to follow such a course. All students follow the Heinemann science scheme covering topics including:
Yr7:- Cells, Reproduction, Environment and feeding relationships.
Yr8:- Food and digestion, Respiration, Microbes and Disease
In the Third, Fourth and Fifth Years (Years 9, 10 and 11):
Students have the option of sitting either the Core and Additional Science, or Biology as a separate GCSE, either with one other science or as three separate science GCSEs.
Students in Year 9 start the Core Science Biology elements and sit the GCSE 1a Unit exam at the end of this year. Over the next two years they sit the rest of the modular exams.
We encourage the development of an enquiring mind and to develop the understanding of scientific methodology, knowledge and investigation. We also provide a broad basis of theoretical and practical experience for those pupils wishing to continue with the subject to 'A' level standard.
The content of the three GCSE biology units are:
|
Core Biology (Unit 1) |
The nervous system; diet; disease; genetics; evolution; ecology; pollution |
|
Additional Biology (Unit 2) |
cells; photosynthesis; decay; enzymes; excretion; genetic engineering |
|
Further Biology (Unit 3) |
Human physiology (breathing, circulation, kidney, exercise); plant physiology; microbiology. |
In the Sixth Form, we aim:
- To develop a scientific approach to the solving of problems within the context of planning and conducting practical investigations.
- To encourage an understanding of the wider applications of Biology, and its importance as a subject of social, moral, economic and industrial relevance.
- To provide scientific training either as an end in itself, or as a foundation of more advanced study.
Facilities
The Biology department is now housed in four new, purpose-built laboratories within the Holden buildings, with associated preparation rooms. Each laboratory is equipped with modern audiovisual presentation equipment and traditional laboratory appointments.
Why choose Biology at GCSE level?
The GCSE Course in Biology principally develops the scientific approach. Its aims are to create an interest in living organisms, particularly humans, a respect for life and a social awareness.
The course is extremely up-to-date with acknowledgement of recent developments including, for example, new medical drugs, cloning of animals and genetic engineering. Biology is increasing its knowledge base at a tremendous rate, these days, and to study Biology is to be part of a fast developing and very exciting area of science.
Pupils entering the Fourth Year (Year 10) will already have studied Unit 1a and a fraction of Unit 1b during the Third Year. At the end of the Third Year they will have taken the module examination for 1a and they will therefore already be part way towards their GCSE in Biology.
What does the Biology course involve?
The course involves many aspects of Biology from the molecular level to the ecology of the whole planet. Areas studied include the following, some of which will already have been examined at the end of the Third Year:
- How human bodies respond to changes inside them and to their environment.
- How we keep our bodies healthy.
- How we use/abuse medical and recreational drugs.
- What causes infectious diseases and how our bodies can defend themselves against them.
- What determines where particular species live and how many of them there are.
- Why individuals of the same species differ from one another and what new methods we have for producing plants and animals with the characteristics we prefer.
- Why some species of plants and animals have died out and how new species of plants and animals develop.
- The ways in which humans affect the environment.
- What plants and animals are built from.
- How dissolved substances get into and out of cells.
- How plants obtain the food they need to live and grow.
- What happens to energy and biomass at each stage in a food chain.
- What happens to the waste material produced by plants and animals.
- What enzymes are and what their functions are.
- How our bodies keep internal conditions constant.
- Which human characteristics show a simple pattern of inheritance.
- How dissolved materials get into and out of animals and plants.
- How dissolved materials are transported around the body.
- How exercise affects the exchanges taking place within the body.
- How exchanges in the kidney help us to maintain the internal environment in mammals and how Biology has helped us to treat kidney disease.
- How micro organisms are used to make food and drink.
- The other useful substances that we can make using micro organisms.
- The safe use of micro organisms.
How will I study Biology?
There are a variety of ways of teaching and learning the subject. Besides old-fashioned teaching we use videos/DVDs, practicals, work-sheets and research using the internet. In addition there will be a coursework element (see below). When external examinations become reasonably close you will be supplied with past papers and mark schemes so that you can see not only what examiners ask, but how they ask it and, from the mark schemes, how they think so that you can learn to think likewise.
How will I be assessed?
You will already have sat Unit 1a at the end of the Third Year. You will take Unit 1b in March of the Fourth Year. Like Unit 1a, 1b is a multiple-choice examination. Unit 2 will be taken in the January of the Fifth Year and will require written answers which will range from a single word to a few sentences.
Unit 3 will be taken at the end of the Fifth Year and, like Unit 2, will consist of written answers.
There will be at least one opportunity to re-sit all units except for Unit 3, although re-sits should not be embarked upon lightly. Experience has taught us that pupils more often than not do worse on a re-sit than on the first sitting and, of course, the extra work involved in revising for a re-sit module can detract from the time used for learning the new one.
Coursework, which accounts for 25% of the total mark, is based on normal class practical work and is in two parts:
- an externally set Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA)
- a Practical Skills Assessment (PSA).
These are carried out completely in class time but will require prior preparation. These practical exams actually involve much less time and work than it has done in the past for written coursework. There is no written coursework outside of the Biology lessons.
With what other subjects does Biology fit?
Biology fits in very well with the other sciences, Physics and Chemistry, as well as with Mathematics. Geography and Physical Education both contain significant ‘chunks’ in common with or of relevance to Biology. Other subjects such as Art can have some relevance for diverse parts of the syllabus, but you will be at absolutely no disadvantage if you do not take these.
It is important to remember that science-based university courses often require Chemistry and frequently require Physics at GCSE and sometimes at AS/A level. Anyone not planning on taking Chemistry and Physics with Biology to GCSE needs to check on the university requirements for certain courses in which they may be interested. As an example, all medical schools at university require Chemistry to at least GCSE level and other subjects such as Ophthalmics usually have a Physics requirement.
If you have absolutely no intention of following a scientific career, then there is no problem in studying Biology even to A level without any other science subject beyond GCSE.
Onto what can a GCSE in Biology lead?
The number of careers based on a Biological background is enormous and involves both the pure sciences and the applied ones.
- The pure sciences: Biology, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Genetics and Physiology.
- The applied sciences: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Veterinary Science, Physiotherapy, Sports Science, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Soil Science, Ecology, Microbiology, Nursing, Brewing, Ophthalmology, Horticulture and Food Science.
Remember that these form only a selection of the areas into which Biology can lead. Some of these degrees can lead to very new areas bordering on both pure and applied science such as Gene Therapy and Genetic Engineering. Other areas such as Medicine are self-evident, but it also amazing what other degree subjects prefer pupils to have a scientific background i.e. Law, retail management etc. Admissions tutors appreciate the logical background that the sciences provide and the analytical mind that they develop.
Biology is a universally applicable subject as it stimulates the mind, provides answers to your questions about how you and other organisms function and will give you a background that is never going to come amiss in later life.
The word ‘Biology’ means ‘Knowledge of Life’ and that is exactly what it provides.
All students are issued with their own GCSE biology text book and associated revision guide.
GCSE BIOLOGY EXAMINATION - course AQA GCSE 4411
Why choose Biology at A level?
The aim of the course is to develop a scientific curiosity and logical approach to answering problems. It does this via one’s natural interest in how the human body functions and how we fit into the world around us. One learns about everything from the Biochemistry of living things up to the Ecological aspects of how all organisms fit together within the Earth community. As a result of studying Biology to A level, one would learn how to be analytical, critical and logical; one’s scientific interest would be partly sated and definitely stimulated. Consequently, Biology makes an interesting and useful addition to any subject combination for any potential career.
GCE BIOLOGY EXAMINATION - course AQA GCE Biology 2410
