Members of the Department
Mr D Kirk (HOD)

Mrs A Hoey

Miss J Sherry

Mrs A Duffy

Mrs K O'Hare (Technician)

Aims

• Promote an enthusiastic interest in Biology enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of key biological concepts;
• Raise awareness of the importance of biology within issues that attract media attention ie. gene technology, biotechnology, pollution and health
• Encourage pupils to become independent learners;
• Develop scientific skills and capabilities
• Develop skills in data handling, ICT, practical investigations and communication
• Maximise the potential of the pupils and assist their transition to tertiary level education.

Key Stage 3

In KS 3 the curriculum is designed to foster a love of Biology as early as possible in the girls education.

J1 students are introduced to Cells, Human Reproduction and Plant reproduction

J2 students study Human Biology - Circulatory System, Nutrition & Breathing

J3 students study Photosynthesis and Ecology.

In each of the units listed, students have the opportunity to carry out a wide range of experiments in order to develop their practical skills. The assessment of practical skills forms a significant part of the assessment in GCSE Biology and it is essential that the girls have every opportunity to develop and refine these skills as early as possible.

New learning and teaching resources have been developed which support the development of the skills required to answer questions in the revised specification examination papers at GCSE. The question styles concerned are knowledge and understanding , application and evaluation .

Early in the First Term, J1 students participate in the Connected Learning project in conjunction with the PE, RE, ART and HE Departments. The focus in Biology is an overview of the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems. The girls produce a leaflet or poster in order to display their work.

KS3 students are keen participants in the activities which celebrate Biology during Biology Week.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

Students may study either the Biology component of the GCSE Double Award Science or GCSE Biology. Both of these follow the CEA specifications

The GCSE Biology specification encourages students to develop practical skills and knowledge of science. It improves their understanding of the relationship between hypotheses, evidence, theories and explanation. It also gives students opportunities to apply their knowledge and understanding of the nature of science and the scientific process.

Students carry out nine prescribed practicals over the two year course, giving them opportunities to develop their observational, practical, enquiry and problem-solving skills. They also learn to evaluate claims based on science, both qualitatively and quantitatively, by critically analysing the methodology, evidence and conclusions.

The specification has three units:

• Unit 1: Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity
• Unit 2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health
• Unit 3: Practical Skills.

Students sit Unit 1 at the end of Year 11.

Unit 3: Practical Skills includes a practical skills assessment (Booklet A) and a practical theory exam (Booklet B). For Booklet A, students carry out two practical tasks in the laboratory. Booklet B is a written exam, with questions based on any of the nine prescribed practical tasks and any other practical tasks from the specification.

In Double Award Science students follow the CCEA Double Award Specification

Double Award (DA) Science as a subject area has four key assessment components:

• Biology
• Physics
• Chemistry

The specification has seven units. The Biology Units are:

• Biology Unit B1: Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity
• Biology Unit B2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health

Unit 7: Practical Skills includes a practical skills assessment (Booklet A) and a practical theory exam (Booklet B). Each Booklet B is a written exam, with questions based on any of the prescribed practical tasks and any other practical tasks from the specification.

Key Stage 5 (GCE)

Biology is a popular choice of subject for students at A Level in Our Lady s.

Studying GCE Biology gives students a greater understanding of and respect for living organisms. Students acquire and develop skills that are valued in further and higher education, as well as in the workplace. These include analysis, evaluation, problem solving, research and an ability to understand complex processes, along with practical skills such as using a microscope, fieldwork and handling apparatus.

The girls are encouraged and trained in independent study. Use of ICT has become increasingly important in this area. The BYOD initiative allows pupils to use their device to photograph records of practical procedures, results of experiments, access mark schemes for self and peer-assessment, refer to specifications in order to evaluate their learning and remain in contact with their teacher during periods of enforced school closure (such as Snow Days ).

GCE Biology has two levels: AS and A2. There are three units in each level in the CEA Specification. Students can take the AS qualification or complete both levels to achieve the full A level qualification. The AS units make up 40% of the full A level qualification, and the A2 units make up 60%.

At each level, students must study all three units.

AS Level
Unit AS 1: Molecules and Cells
Unit AS 2: Organisms and Biodiversity
Unit AS 3: Practical Skills in AS Biology

The girls sit the above three papers at the end of Year 13.

A2 Level
Unit A2 1: Physiology, Coordination and Control, and Ecosystems
Unit A2 2: Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends
Unit A2 3: Practical Skills in Biology

The girls sit the above three papers at the end of Year 14.

Many of our students go on to study Biology at third level institutions in a wide range of areas such as health, food production, conservation, engineering and, increasingly, technology.

Extra-curricular

Students from all key stages have the opportunity to be involved in the celebrations during Biology Week each year. This involves a wide range of activities is a great opportunity to share a passion for biology and the natural world as well as giving all students the opportunity to use their creativity in new and novel ways and to have their ideas shared and celebrated with the school community.

All competition entries are forwarded to the Royal Society of Biology to be entered in the UK competitions. Our Lady s has had great success with students being placed first and highly commended within their categories in the UK.

There is also the opportunity for students to enter the Biology Challenge and Biology Olympiad competitions. The girls have been very successful in these events in the past, many achieving, bronze, silver and gold certificates.

Sixth form students are encouraged to apply for Nuffield placements during the summer of L6th.

Outside speakers come in to school to share their wealth of knowledge and experience in biology-related careers with the girls who are often surprised by the diversity of career opportunities available to them.

Girls from all key stages enjoy being involved in sharing their experiences in biology with the primary school visitors at Open Night and for special P7 visits.


Career Opportunities

There is no such thing as a typical biologist . Entering a career in biology could take you in almost any direction you can think of, and to anywhere in the world.

Just a taster of some of the career paths available to a biologist:

medicine, nursing, veterinary, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, biomedical engineering, research, journalism, pharmaceuticals, conservation, agriculture, teaching, food science, animal welfare and much more!