Biology

The biology course is all about studying living things, how the processes inside organisms take place and how they interact with each other and the environment.

This course gives students a broad understanding of the subject and its application across a wide range of different situations found in nature. Practical work is an important aspect of the course and is assessed internally.

The following basic concepts run throughout the whole course:

• Structure and function of living organisms.
• Universality versus diversity.
• Equilibrium within biological systems.
• Evolution.

Core Topics (studied by all students)

• 1. Cells
• 2. Chemistry of life
• 3. Genetics
• 4. Ecology
• 5. Human Health and Physiology

Additional Higher Level Material (studied by HL students only)

HL students will develop many of the core topics further:

• 6. Nucleic acids and proteins
• 7. Cell respiration and photosynthesis
• 8. Genetics
• 9. Human reproduction
• 10. Defence against infectious disease
• 11. Nerves, muscles and movement
• 12. Excretion
• 13. Plant Science

Options

• A - Diet and human nutrition
• B - Physiology of exercise
• C - Cells and energy
• D - Evolution
• E - Neurobiology and behaviour
• F - Applied plant and animal science
• G - Ecology and conservation
• H - Further human physiology

Standard-level students will choose 2 options from A – G

Higher-level students will choose 2 options from D – H

All students are encouraged to read around the subject to develop an appreciation of current biological issues, discussed in scientific journals and the general media. There is an excellent selection of suitable reading material in the school library.