Webster's High School

Biology

Courses: Biology National 4 and 5, Biology Higher, Biology Advanced Higher, Human Biology Higher.

The purpose of the Courses is to develop learners’ interest and enthusiasm for biology in a range of contexts. The skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are developed, throughout the Courses, by investigating the applications of biology. This will enable learners to become scientifically literate citizens, able to review the science-based claims they will meet. The Courses will be of interest and value to learners wishing to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of biology. The Courses are a broad and up-to-date selection of concepts and ideas relevant to the central position of life science within our society. An experimental and investigative approach is used to develop knowledge and understanding of biology key areas.

To find revision materials for this subject go to the Family Learning zone

S3 Biology

In S3 Biology, the course is divided into two parts over the year. This allows for coverage of Level 4 Biology outcomes and then progressing into Unit 1 of National 5 Biology in January. The outline of course coverage is as follows:

Dates	Outlines	Assessments
June- July	Plants and reproduction - what are the different types of reproduction, how does plants preproduce, how can we use plants and how to increase the production of plants.	Germination Investigation and write up (LO1)
August - October	Environmental Science – Are our chocolates killing our Orangutangs? Linking our overall question to how orangutans impact the environment and other organisms around them.	AVU write up End of topic test
October - December	Behaviour – Innate and Learned behaviours Microorganisms – Microorganisms properties and how we use microorganism in industries.	End of topic test Finger maze investigation and write up (LO1) End of topic test. Fermentation investigation and write up (LO1) End of topic test.
January - April	Begin National 5 Biology – Unit 1 Covering Key areas: 1 – Cell structure 2 - Transport across Cell membrane 3 – DNA and proteins 4 – Proteins and enzymes	Homework for each Key Area Check tests for Each key area Osmosis practical investigation and write up Enzyme investigation and write up
April to May	Continue with National 5 Biology – Unit 1 Covering key areas 5-6 5 – Genetic engineering 6 - Respiration	Homework for each Key Area Check tests for Each key area

National 5

National 5 Biology explores life across three core units: Cell Biology (started in S3) Multicellular Organisms, and Life on Earth . Under Qualifications Scotland (QS), the final grade is determined by a written exam paper worth 80% of your total mark, alongside an experimental research assignment worth the remaining 20%.

Dates	Outlines	Assessments
June- July	Complete Unit 1 – Cell Biology – revision and end of unit test. Begin Unit 2 – Multicellular organisms- KA1 – Producing new cells	End of Unit 1 test Homework Check test
August - October	Unit 2 – Multicellular organisms KA 2 – Control and communication KA 3 – Reproduction KA 4 – Variation and inheritance KA 5 – Transport in Plants	Homework and Check tests for each Key area
October - December	Unit 2 – Multicellular Organisms KA 6 – Transport in Animals KA7 – Absorption of materials Revision of end of unit test Revision for Prelim	Homework and check tests for each Key Area End of unit test Prelim in December
January - April	Assignment in January Unit 3 – Life on Earth KA 1 and 4– Ecosystems and energy in ecosystems KA 2 – Distribution of Organisms KA 3 – Photosynthesis KA 5 – Food production KA 6 – Evolution Revision Full course Prelim	Assignment practical and write up under exam condiditons Homework and checktests for each Key area Full course prelim (March)
April to May	Revision Exam	Final exam

Higher

Higher Biology deepens your understanding of life sciences across three units: DNA and the Genome, Metabolism and Survival and Sustainability and Interdependence. Under QS, the qualification is assessed via a written exam paper accounting for 80% of the final mark, and a written research assignment making up the final 20%.

Dates	Outlines	Assessments
June- July	Unit 1 – DNA and the Genome KA 1 – Structure of DNA KA 2 – Replication of DNA KA 3 – Gene Expression (and DNA Extraction) Revision	Homeworks and essay questions
August - October	Unit 1 – DNA and the Genome KA 4 – Cellular differentiation KA 5 – Structure of the genome KA 6 – mutations KA 7 – Evolution KA 8 – Genomic Sequencing Revision Unit 2 – Metabolism and Survival KA1 – Metabolic pathways KA 2 – Cellular respiration	Homeworks and essay questions End of unit 1 Test Homeworks and essays
October - December	Unit 2 - Metabolism and Survival KA 3 – Metabolic rate KA 4 – Metabolism in conformers and regulators KA 5 – Metabolism in adverse conditions KA 6 – environmental control of metabolism KA 7 – Genetic control of metabolism Revision for prelim	Homeworks and essays Prelim covering Unit 1 and unit 2
January - April	Assignment Unit 3 – Sustainability and interdependence KA 1 – Food supply, plant growth and productivity KA 2 – plant and animal breeding KA 3 – Crop protection KA 4 – Animal welfare KA 5 – Symbiosis KA 6 – Social behaviour KA 7 Components of biodiversity KA 8 – threats to biodiversity Revision for whole course prelim (March) Targeted revision for exam	Assignment practical and write up Homework's and Essays Whole course prelim
April to May	Revision Exam	Final exam

Advanced Higher

Advanced Higher Biology bridges the gap to university-level by covering three units: Cells and Proteins (unti 1), Organisms and Evolution (unit 2), and Investigative Biology (unit 3). Unlike lower levels, the QS assessment shifts to place a much larger emphasis on fieldwork and research, splitting the final grade between a written exam (75%) and an extensive, independently designed practical project report (25%).

Dates	Outlines	Assessments
May - June	Unit 3 – Investigative biology KA3.1 scientific principals and process KA3.2 experimentation KA 3.3 reporting and critical evaluation of biological research
August - October	Introduction to Project Revision of U3 KA2.1 - Field techniques for biologists KA1.1 - Laboratory techniques for biologists. Unit 1 – Cells and proteins KA 1.2 Proteins	Unit 3 test Attend Kinnordy for research Project stage 1
October - December	Unit 1 – Cells and proteins KA 1.2 Proteins KA 1.3 membrane proteins KA 1.4 communication and signialling KA 1.5 protein control of cell division Revision Prelim	Project plan due Pilot study begins Prelim
January - April	Unit 2 – Organisms and evolution KA2.1 Field techniques for biologists KA 2.2 Evolution KA 2.3 variation and sexual reproduction KA 2.4 Sex and behaviour KA 2.5 parasitism Revision Project work Prelim Project deadline (March)	Project draft submissions Prelim Final Project submission
April - May	Targeted Revision End exam	End QS exam