Biology

Science Department

Science is vital to everyday life and allows us to understand and shape the world in which we live and influence its future. Biology is known as the science of life, as it covers humans, plants, micro-organisms and the environment.

Young people studying Biology will learn about genetics, molecules, natural selection, evolutionary theory, global warming, bacteria and viruses and gain an understanding of how society makes decisions about scientific issues.

At Lanark Grammar, we teach Biology at all levels - National 4, National 5, Higher Human and Advanced Higher.

Assessment

National 4

Assessment

3 unit assessments at 20 marks each

Practical Task

Outcome 1 (experimental report) Added Value Unit

Exam

No external exam

National 5

Practical Task

Assignment carried out in class time under supervision. The assignment is worth 20 marks.

Exam

2 and half hour final external exam.

Multiple choice: 25 marks

Written answer: 75 marks

Higher

Practical Task

Assignment carried out in class time under supervision. The assignment is worth 20 marks.

Exam

Final external exam.

Paper 1 - Multiple choice: 40 minutes. 25 Marks

Paper 2 - Written: 2 hours 20 minutes. 95 marks

Advanced Higher

Practical Task

Assignment carried out in class time and own time. The assignment is worth 30 marks.

Exam

3 hours final external exam worth 100 marks.

Ideal Candidate

The Biology course would be best suited to a young person who is interested in learning about the living world.

Ideally, they will have had experience with and enjoyed the Biology topics in S1 and/or S2 and will have demonstrated a decent understanding of numeracy and literacy.

What you will learn

Within Biology, the study will focus on three key areas: Cell Biology, Multicellular Biology and Life on Earth at increasing levels of complexity as the young person progresses from National 4 / 5 to Advanced Higher.