Biology aims to provide learning experiences through which students will:
- acquire knowledge and understanding about fundamental concepts related to living things and their environments, the historical development of these concepts and their application to personal, social, economic, technological and environmental situations
- progress from the consideration of specific data and knowledge to the understanding of models and concepts and the explanation of generalised biology terms, from the collection and organisation of information to problem-solving, and from the use of simple communication skills to those which are more sophisticated
- develop positive attitudes towards the study of living things, the environment and the opinions held by others, recognising the importance of evidence and the use of critical evaluation of different scientific opinions related to various aspects of biology.
Students will develop knowledge and understanding of:
- the history of biology
- the nature and practice of biology
- applications and uses of biology
- the implications of biology for society and the environment
- current issues, research and developments in biology
- cell ultrastructure and processes
- biological diversity
- environmental interactions
- mechanisms of inheritance
- biological evolution
Students will develop further skills in:
- planning investigations
- conducting investigations
- communicating information and understanding
- developing scientific thinking and problem-solving techniques
- working individually and in teams.
Students will develop positive values about and attitudes towards:
- themselves, others, learning as a lifelong process, biology and the environment.
A syllabus is a document that gives teachers an outline of what students are to be taught in a specific learning area.
The syllabus and other supporting material for Biology 11-12 are available from the Board of Studies.
