STANDARD GRADE

Course Content
The Standard Grade Biology course aims to give pupils the opportunity to understand themselves and the natural world in which they live. An emphasis is placed on investigating topics using various practical activities. Dissection of a pig’s kidney and a sheep’s heart are optional.

    Course Objectives
    • Knowledge & Understanding of biological facts, ideas and techniques and some Applications of Biology in society.
    • Problem solving by handling and processing information, evaluating procedures and information, drawing conclusions and making predictions.
    • Practical abilities associated with investigations and practical techniques.
    • Positive attitudes such as being open-minded and being aware that decisions can be made which affect the well-being of themselves and others, and of the quality of the environment.

    The Course consists of the following seven topics:-

    The Biosphere
    Ecosystems; how ecosystems work; how ecosystems are controlled and managed.

    The World of Plants
    The variety of plants; how plants grow; how plants make their own food by photosynthesis.

    Animal Survival
    The nature of food; food ingestion and digestion; reproduction; water & waste; effects of environmental factors on behaviour.

    Investigating Cells
    Plant and animal cell structure; diffusion and osmosis; cell division; enzymes; aerobic respiration.

    The Body in Action
    The human skeleton, muscles and associated structures; human respiratory and circulatory systems; structures of the human brain, eye and ear; effects of repeated physical activity.

    Inheritance
    Variation; genetics; detection of genetic abnormalities, selective breeding of plants and animals, mutations.

    Biotechnology
    Microbes; decomposition and upgrading waste; applications of genetic engineering.

    Folio and Project work:
    none

    Course Assessment
    Internal
    Carrying out ten practical techniques. Designing and carrying out two practical investigations.

    External
    A General level paper (assessing grades 3 & 4) and a Credit level paper (assessing grades 1 & 2) both 1.5 hours each assessing Knowledge and Understanding and Problem Solving objectives.

Wellington School, Carleton Turrets, Craigweil Road, Ayr, KA7 2XH. | T: 01292 269321 | F: 01292 272161 | E: info@wellingtonschool.org
Wellington School is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Company Number is SC026589. Scottish Charity Number is SC005052
Headmaster: Mr R M Parlour BSc (Hons) BA PGCE (Oxon) MMBA FIAP FRSA

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