The Biology Department
Welcome to the Biology Department. Biology is a subject at the cutting edge of scientific research and development and covers a range of topics from the human genome projects to conservation.

The staff of the biology department are as follows:

Miss W Walker
Mr A Tweedie
Mrs N Lewis
Miss C Smith

Aims of the Biology Department
The Biology Department aims to:

• contribute to the general, formal, education of its pupils, through their involvement with the processes of scientific investigation, in a biological context.
• contribute to the personal and social development of its pupils, through the development of relationships between staff and pupils, encouragement of positive social attitudes, and respect for pupils as individuals.
• increase the awareness of pupils of their own bodies, and to enable them to make informed choices in regard to health.
• stimulate interest in and respect for the environment.
• increase the awareness of pupils in the relation of humans to their environment, and the part played by humans in influencing their environment.
• develop the pupils' understanding of the implications of human activity for the environment.
• improve pupils' ability to make value judgements of human activities.
• prepare candidates as fully as possible for examinations administered by external agencies.

Why Choose Biology?
Biology tells us about the natural world around us which we are all part of. It can also tell us about the physical makeup of our bodies which enables us to produce cures and treatments for many diseases.

There are a variety of careers available with a biology background. These include:

• Forensic Science
  helping the police with crime investigation.
• Healthcare
  working in the hospital laboratories.
• Research
  the development of new drugs and treatments for diseases.
• Environmental Management and Conservation
  Park rangers and zoo keepers.
• Biotechnology
  Production of alternative fuel sources and medicines.
• Polictics and Policy statements
  Science advisors to government and businesses.
• Scientific Journalists
  To write reports on the new scientific developments.
• Genetic counsellors
  to council patients on genetic disorders which run in families.
• Art work
  to provide illustrations for biological textbooks.

Courses

We offer the following courses:

• Standard Grade Biology
  Standard Grade Biology is studied in S2 and S3. In this course we study a variety of topics which include, The Biosphere, Animal Survival, Investigating Cells, World of Plants, The Body in Action, Inheritance and Biotechnology. There are three main areas which are assessed, these are Knowledge and Understanding, Problem Solving and Practical abilities. The pupils will be involved in two field trips one at the start of S2 where they will visit Strathclyde Park and work with the rangers to carry out a study of animals and plants and their environment. They will also visit the Botanic gardens in Edinburgh to study the variety of different plants.
• Intermediate 1
  Intermediate 1 Biology is offered in S2 and S3 as an alternative to Standard Grade Biology. This course studies the following topics: Health and technology which looks are the circulatory and breathing system, healthy eating and taking physiological measurements. Biotechnological Industries which looks at the industries involved in the making of bread, wine, beer, yoghurt, cheese and antibiotics and detergents. It also looks at the impact of these industries can have on the environment. Growing Plants which looks at growing plants for seeds and plant production and the care of plants.
• Intermediate 2
  Indermediate 2 Biology is offered to senior pupils and this course provides a transition from Standard Grade and Intermediate 1 to Higher Biology and Higher Human Biology. This course covers the study of Living Cells and their processes in which the pupils study the cell structure and processes including respiration, enzymes reactions and photosynthesis. Environmental Biology and Genetics which looks at the relationships which occur between the different parts of an ecosystem, it also studies factors affecting the variety in a species. Unit 3, Animal Physiology studies the digestive, circulatory, breathing and nervous system.
• Higher Biology
  Higher Biology is split into three units. Unit one is Cell Biology and looks at cell structures and the processes that occur in cells including photosynthesis, respiration and protein synthesis. Unit two is Genetics and Adaptation, this looks at variation in animals and plants, evolution and animal and plant adaptations. The final unit looks at Control and Regulation of processes which occur in animals and plants. This looks at the control of growth, it also looks at how the internal environment of mammals is controlled and it looks at factors which affect population dynamics in a habitat.
• Higher Human Biology
  The first unit in this course studies Cell Function and Inheritance which looks at cell structure and processes which occur in cells which includes enzymes, respiration, protein synthesis and how cells defend themselves against infection. Pupils them go on to study Inheritance, mutations and genetic screening. Unit two then looks the Continuation of Life and the process of reproduction and the pre and post development of the individual. It also looks at the transport of substances around the body and how the internal environment is kept constant. In the third unit is titled Behaviour, Populations and Environment and the pupils study the nervous system and human behaviour, it also looks at factors that effect the population growth and its affect on the environment.