Biology at Glenalmond College

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The Biology department is located on the first floor of a purpose built Science Centre which was constructed in 2001. There are three general laboratories capable of teaching classes of 20 pupils, a sixth form laboratory for project work, a departmental sixth form library, a foyer which houses two large aquaria and a news and current affairs board. There is a large well equipped preparation room and a full time technician who works for both the Biology and the Chemistry departments. Biology is a popular subject in the 6^th form with about 35 electing to study Biology in the L6th year.

The department organises a number of trips and expeditions each year. Over the past few years these have included visits to the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, The Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, The Scottish Crops Research Institute, Dundee, The Forensic Science Laboratories, Dundee, The Science Centre in Glasgow, Tennants Brewery, Glasgow; The Biology Department, Dundee University and The Psychology Department Abertay University. As an annual event, the sixth form undertake a 4 day residential field course to Cumbria in the summer term after their exams. Lectures are also organised annually and recent topics have included 'Natural disasters'; 'The importance of fungi'; 'Human parasites'; 'Genetic engineering'; 'Human identification'; 'Antibiotic resistance'; 'The role of a forensic scientist'. This year we have also initiated Medsoc which is a group of potential Medics who meet regularly to discuss current developments in Medicine and to stimulate debate about ethical issues and current advancements in science in general.

The department has had consistently good A level results over the past few years and sixth formers have left Glenalmond to continue their education in medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, biochemistry, microbiology and applied biology.

Syllabus/Specification

GCSE

Science is part of every Glenalmond student's curriculum up to GCSE. From the 3^rd form to the 5^th form all students receive two periods per week in each of the three sciences and all will study the material contained in the Edexcel Dual award specification. This leads to a double GCSE award which provides a solid foundation for any of the three sciences at A-Level.

Key subject aims

To impart a systematic body of scientific knowledge and facts, and an understanding of scientific concepts, principles, themes and patterns
To further students' appreciation of the practical nature of science, developing experimental skills based on correct and safe laboratory techniques
To develop an appreciation of the importance of accurate experimental work to scientific method and reporting
To develop students' ability to form hypotheses and design experiments to test them
To sustain and develop an enjoyment of, and interest in, the scientific world
To foster an appreciation of the significance of science in wider personal, social, environmental, economic and technological contexts, with a consideration of ethical issues
To enable students to select, organise and present information clearly and logically, using appropriate scientific terms and conventions
To prepare students for more advanced courses in each of the three scientific disciplines that comprise this specification.

Unique features and benefits of the specification

Clear, detailed and comprehensive subject content with straightforward linear assessment

Assessment and progression

Single tier. Examination comprises a paper from Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
Grading A* to G
Students are awarded two IGCSE grades, reflecting study of the prescribed amount of subject content
Provides a sound foundation for progression to GCE Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced level science specifications

Sixth Form

At A-Level we follow the AQA syllabus which comprises the following units:

Year

Unit Title

Weighting

AQA AS Examination Code 1411

Unit 1 Biology and disease

Disease, enzymes, transport across cells, lungs and heart and immunity

33% of total AS Mark

Unit 2 The variety of living organisms

Variation, cell division, classification, adaptation, natural selection and biodiversity

47% of total AS Mark

Unit 3 Investigative Skills Assessment (ISA)

Practical assessment

20% of total AS Mark

AQA A2 Examination Code 2411

Unit 4 Populations and environment

Populations, Photosynthesis, Respiration,Energy Transfers, Nutrient Cycles, Genetic variation

16.7% of total A2 Mark

Unit 5 Control in Cells and in organisms

Co-ordination, Muscles, Homeostasis, Genetic Control, Gene Technology

23.3% of total A2 mark

Unit 6 Investigative Skills Assessment (ISA)

Practical Assessment

10% of total A2 mark

Staff

Dr Craig Henderson (Head of Biology and Head of Lower School Science)
Dr Susan Colby
Mr Andrew Hughes

Miss Theresa McLaughlin
Mrs Sandi McDougall (Technician)

News and Events

The department continues to flourish with over a third of fifth form pupils electing to take the subject to sixth form study. The academic results were outstanding as the department achieved 100% pass rate at A Level at A2 with 40% of candidates achieving Grade A*/A. This was a record year for the department and sets a precedent which will be difficult to emulate but we have high hopes for this year. At GCSE we were also highly successful as 65% of our fifth form cohort achieved an A*/A. In GCSE module 1 we had 12 students achieving full marks and another 23 achieving A*. In module 2 the success rate was equally impressive with 18 gaining full marks and 27 A* grades.

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On the beach in Cumbria

In June, twenty eight lower sixth pupils took part in the residential field course in Cumbria studying dune succession, zonation, and the effect of abiotic factors on the growth of organisms woodland communities. The effect of oxygen levels and current flow on the distribution of species in a stream and the application of mark and recapture technique was also undertaken.