Target Year Group: Year 13

Duration and Timing: One timetable block – full year

Aims:

To continue to develop an understanding of Biological concepts and principles; to further develop an appreciation and sense of curiosity and wonder in the Living World; and to develop an appreciation of the relevance of Biology for informed decision-making at both individual and community levels.

Description:
The unifying theme is “Constancy and Change”. Under this umbrella the following topics are developed:

• Relationships between organisms and their environment
• The processes of inheritance and evolution, including human evolution.
• Contemporary techniques used in molecular Biology.
• Current issues in Biology
• Practical investigation of an aspect of the ecological niche of a plant or an animal.

Assessment: Both internal and external

Pre-requisites: 12 credits in Level 2 Biology, 3 credits of which were for AS90459 (Genetic variation and change). Other students may consult with the HOD Biology for admittance. Motivated students with a good academic record may successfully take Biology for the first time at this level.

Leads on to: This course prepares students for university or tertiary study.

Fees: Up to two field trips during the year. A workbook is purchased.

TOPICS
Title	Number	Level	Int/Ext	No. of Credits
Carry out a practical investigation into an aspect of an organism’s ecological niche with guidance	Biology AS 90713	3	Int	4
Research a contemporary biological issue	Biology AS 90714	3	Int	3
Describe the role of DNA in relation to gene expression	Biology AS 90715	3	Ext	4
Describe animal behaviour and plant responses in relation to environmental factors	Biology AS 90716	3	Ext	4
Describe processes and patterns of evolution	Biology AS 90717	3	Ext	3
Describe applications of biotechnological techniques	Biology AS 90718	3	Int	3
Describe trends in human evolution	Biology AS 90719	3	Ext	3
TOTAL				24

"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them." - Galileo Galilei