9744 H2 Biology

 Subject description

Biology aims to address the broader questions of what life is and how life is sustained. This includes understanding life at the cellular and molecular levels, and making connections to how these micro-systems interact at the physiological and organismal levels. It also aims to recognise the evolving nature of biological knowledge and stimulate interest in and demonstrating care for the local and global environment.

4 core ideas and 2 extension topics will be examined in this syllabus:

Core ideas:

1. The Cell and Biomolecules of Life

2. Genetics and Inheritance

3. Energy and Equilibrium

4. Biological Evolution

Extension topics:

A. Infectious Diseases

B. Impact of Climate Change on Animals and Plants

Experimental work is an important component and will underpin the teaching and learning of Biology.

 Pre-requisites

Assumed knowledge:

'O' level Pure Biology OR 'O' level Science (Biology / Chemistry) OR 'O' level Science (Biology/ Physics)

If the subject or subject combination is oversubscribed, students will be allocated by Academic Merit. 

Indicative Grade Profile (IGP)(10th percentile):

Pass in 'O' level Pure Biology

OR

A2 or better in 'O' level Science (Biology/ Chemistry OR Biology/ Physics)

Please refer to our college’s website for subject eligibility criteria for more information.

https://yijc.moe.edu.sg/curriculum/subject-combination-n-eligibility/subject-eligibility-criteria 

 Scheme of Assessment

The Assessment Objectives are weighted as shown below:

 Subject objectives and other details

The H2 Biology syllabus guide can be accessed via the link below:

9744 H2 Biology Syllabus 

 Enrichment opportunities in YIJC / Unique teaching approach

H2 Biology students will have the opportunity to engage in DNA Life Science Experiments such as DNA forensic analysis through DNA profiling at the Singapore Science Centre as well as a learning journey to the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at NUS to understand concepts relating to biodiversity and the evolution of life. 

Selected students may also be invited to participate in additional relevant programmes, including the following:

• Singapore Biology Olympiad

• Science Research Attachment Programme

• Learning Journeys to Institutes of Higher Learning 

• Job Shadowing Programme at local hospitals or healthcare organizations

In YIJC, Biology tutors employ innovative strategies in teaching and learning, such as the use of IT applications via SLS, collaborative learning using Google Classroom and game-based approaches, interactive platforms like Blooket, Padlet, Linoit, to further deepen students’ understanding of the various concepts taught.

Students who perform well in the course after JC1 are given the opportunity to pursue ‘A’ level Biology at the H3 Level. 

 Skill attainment

Upon successful completion of H2 Biology, students will develop skills in identifying problems, observing phenomena and posing questions. Students will also learn to select, organise and interpret information from a variety of sources. They will gain skills in analysis and evaluation of information to identify patterns, report conclusions and construct arguments, as well as organisation and presentation of ideas and information clearly and coherently.

 University requirements

Generally, students offering H2 Biology would be eligible to apply for Biology-related courses e.g. Life Sciences, Food Sciences, Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine-related fields, Data Science, etc. in NUS, NTU and SIT. 

Other courses included Bioengineering, Materials Engineering, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in NTU.

Different universities have different pre-requisites for their courses; hence you will need to check the university websites for the most updated pre-requisites. You can also check our ECG boards for the university courses and possible careers.

 Career prospects

H2 Biology prepares students to take on careers in science and engineering-related sectors as well as opens up in-roads to many opportunities even in fields not traditionally associated with Biology. 

 FAQ

1. If I didn’t take 'O' Level Biology or Science (Biology/__), can I take H2 Biology?

H2 Biology syllabus is a rigorous 2-year course where candidates are assumed to have acquired knowledge and have a good foundation on the content of the 'O' level Biology. Candidates taking H2 or H1 Biology at 'A' level are assumed to have knowledge and understanding of Biology at 'O' level, as a single subject or part of a balanced science subject.

Priority of spaces in the subject will be offered to students who performed better in their relevant 'O' level subject. 

Please refer to our college’s website for subject eligibility criteria for more information.

 https://yijc.moe.edu.sg/curriculum/subject-combination-n-eligibility/subject-eligibility-criteria 

2. What is the difference between ‘O’ and ‘A’ level Biology?

As the curriculum framework follows a spiral curriculum, topics that are covered in ‘O’ level Biology will be revisited in ‘A’ level Biology at a greater depth. This is especially true for topics related to Genetics and Inheritance.

3.  What’s the difference between H1 and H2 Biology?

H2 Biology covers a wider range of topics compared to H1 Biology. For example, Cell Signalling and Infectious Diseases are taught in H2 Biology but not in H1 Biology. There is greater breadth and depth for some topics in H2 Biology as compared to H1 Biology. For the same topics taught in both H1 & H2 Biology, there may be less learning objectives in the syllabus covered in H1 compared to H2. However, the academic demand and rigor are comparable.

H2 Biology has a practical assessment component while H1 Biology does not.

4. Is a Pass in H2 Biology a requirement for admission into medical-related faculties / courses in the local universities e.g. Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing etc.?

A Pass in H2 Biology is not a requirement for admission into medical-related faculties / courses in the local universities. However, having a good knowledge of the subject will assist an undergraduate in a better understanding of the concepts taught in the university modules. H2 Biology is usually one of the 2 Science subjects that are required in most Science-based courses in the local universities.