Biology

Course summary

Four basic biological concepts run throughout the course, serving as themes to unify the topics. This allows the pupils to study at different levels of complexity. The concepts are: • Structure and function • Equilibrium within systems • Universality versus diversity • Evolution Approximately 25% of the course in total is devoted to practical work: 60 hours at a higher level and 40 hours at a standard level. Core Topics studied by both Higher and Standard Level pupils are: • Cells • Molecular Biology • Genetics • Ecology • Evolution • Human Physiology • Option D: Further Human Physiology Additional Higher Level Topics studied by pupils in addition to the core are: • Nucleic Acids • Metabolism • Cell respiration and photosynthesis • Plant Biology • Genetics • Animal Physiology • Option D (core and extension): Further Human Physiology