Head of Department: Mr G. Russell (Head of Science)
Members of Department: Mrs J. Muise (Vice-Principal), Mr D. Scott (Senior Housemaster of Pirrie House), Mr A. Scott, Mrs A. Moorhead (Head Technician)
Welcome to the RBAI Biology Department!
Resources
The recently refurbished Biology Department relocated to the upper floor of the C and G blocks during the summer of 2019. The department now consists of four new labs, each of which are resourced to Advanced Level, including interactive LED touchscreen panels
Why study Biology?
The study of Biology allows pupils to develop a wide-range of transferable skills including:
Data collection, data handling, analytical skills, innovation & creative thinking, critical thinking & drawing conclusions, time management & planning, working accurately and safely both individually and with others, practical and enquiry skills, decision making, communication skills, numeracy and ICT.
As a result of these skills, biologists are versatile and competitive in the job market. Areas where career opportunities exist include: Research, Health Care, Environmental Management and Conservation, Education, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Business and Industry, Economics, Mathematics, Politics, Journalism and Art.
Teaching and Learning:
Key Stage 3
Year 8
Biology is taught as part of General Science. There are eight Year 8 classes with each class taught General Science 6 periods per week by 3 teachers (usually subject specialists). All notes are in the form of booklets which allow the pupils to be introduced to all three Sciences in a stimulating and productive sequence. Continuous assessment in the form of Topic Tests is used for formative and summative purposes. There is also an end of year examination. All these assessments are used to help inform decisions regarding GCSE subject choices at the end of Year 10.
Biology topics studied include:
- What is Biology?
- Biodiversity
- Organs of the body
- Nutrition & Food tests
- Healthy Brain & Sense organs
Year 9
There are eight Year 9 classes with each class taught for 6 periods per week by 3 teachers (subject-specialists) with all three Sciences covered. Assessment is similar to that in Year 8.
Topics studied include:
- Respiration
- Respiratory system
- Digestive system
- Circulatory system
- Reproductive system
Year 10
There are eight Year 10 classes. Pupils have 2 periods of Biology per week, taught by a subject specialist. Assessment is similar to that in Years 8 and 9. The marks in all assessments allow a final summative evaluation of each pupil to help inform decisions regarding GCSE subject choices.
Topics studied include:
- Health
- Cells
- Genetics
- Plant Structure & Photosynthesis
- Plant Reproduction
Key Stage 4
GCSE
Pupils are taught Biology by subject specialists and are timetabled for 4 periods of Biology per week. We deliver CCEA's Revised GCSE Biology Specification. Details can be found at http://www.ccea.org.uk/biology/
GCSE Biology Specification at a Glance
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Content
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Assessment
|
Weightings
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Availability
|
|
Unit 1:
Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity
|
External written examination.
Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing and calculations.
Foundation and Higher Tiers: 1 hour 15 minutes.
|
35%
|
Summer from 2018
|
|
Unit 2:
Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health
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External written examination.
Students answer compulsory structured questions that require short responses, extended writing and calculations.
Foundation and Higher Tiers: 1 hour 30 mins
|
40%
|
Summer from 2019
|
|
Unit 3: Practical skills
|
Booklet A
Students carry out two externally marked pre-release practicals in the final year of study.
Foundation and HigherTiers: 2 hours
|
7.5%
|
Between 1 January and 1 May each year
(beginning in 2019)
|
|
Booklet B
External written examination.
Students answer compulsory structured questions that include short responses, extended writing and calculations, all set in a practical context.
There are two tiers of entry
Foundation and Higher Tiers: 1 hour
|
17.5%
|
Every Summer
(beginning in 2019)
|
At least 40 percent of the assessment (based on unit weightings) must be taken at the end of the course as terminal assessment.
Single Award Science
Alternatively, pupils may elect to study Single Award Science instead of the individual science subjects. This course covers smaller amounts of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Details can be found at https://ccea.org.uk/science-single-award
Key Stage 5
Pupils follow the CCEA Revised GCE Biology Specification. Details can be found at http://www.ccea.org.uk/biology/
The CCEA specification is designed to promote continuity, coherence and progression within the study of Biology. The A Level award provides a basis for the further study, at tertiary level, of Biology and related courses. For those progressing directly into employment, an AS or A Level award is relevant, not only in the fields of science, engineering and medicine, but also to areas of commerce and the public service in which problem-solving and practical skills are valued. The specification helps to provide an understanding of how biological developments affect the environment. The specification also contributes towards an understanding of ethical and cultural issues, thus adding to a full and rounded education.
The full Advanced GCE comprises the AS level (studied during Year 13) and the second half of the course, referred to as A2 (studied during Year 14). Although the AS can be taken as a “stand-alone” qualification without progression to A2, the majority of the pupils who complete AS Biology at RBAI continue with their Biology studies to A2 level.
The assessment units can be summarised as follows:
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Content
|
Assessment
|
Weightings
|
|
AS 1: Molecules and Cells
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External written examination.
1 hour 30 mins
Students answer six to eight structured questions and write an essay.
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37.5% of AS
15% of A level
|
|
AS 2: Organisms and Biodiversity
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External written examination.
1 hour 30 mins
Students answer six to eight structured questions and write an essay.
|
37.5% of AS
15% of A level
|
|
AS 3: Practical Skills in AS Biology
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External written examination assessing practical skills.
(1 hour) and internal practical assessment
(Teachers mark the assessment, and CCEA moderate the results.)
|
25% of AS
10% of A level
|
|
A2 1: Physiology, Co-ordination and Control, and Ecosystems
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External written examination.
2 hours 15 mins
Students answer six to nine structured questions and write an essay.
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24% of A level
|
|
A2 2: Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends
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External written examination.
2 hours 15 mins
Students answer six to nine structured questions and write an essay.
|
24% of A level
|
|
A2 3: Practical Skills in Biology
|
External written examination assessing practical skills.
(1 hour 15 mins) and internal practical assessment.
(Teachers mark the assessment, and CCEA moderate the results.)
|
12% of A level
|
A-Level Field trip to Portaferry
Every year boys and staff embark on a field trip to Portaferry as part of their AS Biology studies. Specifically, the boys carry out a transect and shore profile of a rocky shore near Lee's Wreck. The trip also includes a guided tour of the Exploris Aquarium.
GCSE Biology Success
Congratulations to Year 12 on a very good set of GCSE results (100% A*-C and 73.9% A*-B).
A-Level Biology Success
Congratulations to Year 14 on another excellent set of A-level results (100% A*-E and 89.3% A*-C).
Competitions
The Biology Department has enjoyed participating in many activities outside of the curriculum. We have had an increased number of boys taking part in a wide variety of competitions and projects, in collaboration with external organisations such as Sentinus and Queen’s University.
A-Level Biologists Work With Researchers At QUB School Of Biological Sciences