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Biology
BackWelcome
Biology is the study of life! In Biology we consider what organisms are made of, how they work and how they interact with each other.
The Biology department teaches students in Years 9, 10 and 11 AQA separate GCSE Biology. This course covers a range of Human, Animal and Plant Science as well as considering Genetics, Evolution and Environmental Biology. In Years 12 and 13 we follow OCR’s A-Level Biology course which develops all the ideas met at GCSE, but offers opportunities for more detailed understanding and development of advanced practical skills.
Students who have studied Biology have gone on to a whole range of related courses at University, including Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Anatomical Sciences, Genetics, Virology, Microbiology, Midwifery, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Sciences and Marine Biology.
- Mr Smith, Head of Biology
What We Do
Above and beyond the GCSE and A-Level syllabuses, the department offers opportunities to investigate theories and ideas experimentally. Every year we support Extended Project (EP) students carrying out original scientific research, examples of which can be viewed below.
Practicals form an important part of lessons and at A-Level, much of the tutorial programme is given over to carrying out dissections or Drosophila breeding programmes, investigating genetic crosses. We have superb sampling equipment and Sixth Formers regularly trap moths and small mammals in their study periods. Currently, Year 12 students visit the Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve (NNR), to study succession on the sand dune systems. Students in Years 10 and 13 get the opportunity to test their biological knowledge nationally in The Biological Challenge or Olympiad events.
In addition, we also run the Life in the Vines project in partnership with the Royal Society, the University of Exeter and Silverton Vineyard.
Lower Years Biology
The lower years curriculum will involve the following:
|
| Year 7 | Year 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Cells | Gas Exchange and the lungs Diet and Digestion |
| Spring | Inheritance Reproduction | Respiration Exercise |
| Summer | Ecology | Photosynthesis Adaptation |
Middle Years (Y9-11) Biology
The middle years curriculum will involve the following:
| Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | |
|
Autumn |
Cells Organisation 1 – Enzymes and digestion |
Bioenergetics
Homeostasis 1 - nerves |
Ecology 3 – Mans effect on the environment
Inheritance 1 - DNA |
| Spring Term |
Organisation 2 –
Gas exchange Organisation 3 - Circulation |
Homeostasis 2 – Internal environment and excretion
Homeostasis 3 - Reproduction |
Inheritance 2 – Evolution and classification
Inheritance 3 – Genetic engineering |
| Summer Term |
Organisation 4 - Plants
Infection and response |
Homeostasis 4 – plant hormones Ecology 1 – Sampling Ecology 2 - Decay |
Upper Years Biology
The Key Stage 5 curriculum will involve the following:
| Year 12 | Year 13 | |
|
Autumn Term |
Cell structure
Biological Molecules Enzymes Biological membranes Cell division and organisation |
Communication and homeostasis
Nervous co-ordination Hormonal communication Photosynthesis Respiration Plant and animal responses |
|
Spring Term |
Communicable disease
Immunity Exchange Surfaces Transport in animals Transport in Plants |
Cellular control
Genetics Manipulating genome Cloning and biotechnology |
|
Summer Term |
Biodiversity
Classification and Evolution Ecosystems Populations and sustainability |
