Higher / Intermediate 2 Biology
Topics Taught
Topics taught at Standard Grade are revisited at Intermediate level and extended to include a good foundation for further study at Higher if required. The cell and some organelles, the phenomena of diffusion and osmosis, enzyme action, respiration (release of energy) and photosynthesis are included in the first topic. Biodiversity and the myriad interactions between species are approached in the second topic with a more complete look at genetics in general and some of the applied scenarios. The third topic is animal nutrition where emphasis is placed on how an organism maintains an internal environment, the circulation including the constituents of blood with an introduction to the structure and function of the brain.
Homework
Written homework is an essential requirement for success at this level; exercises including work with past paper questions and much background reading are strongly advocated. Each unit of study has its own workbook to help consolidate work covered in the textbook and a copy of the new terms is circulated to each student.
Assessments (Internal and External)
End of topic tests (NABs) have to be passed if certification is to be gained along with one written practical assessment. The examination lasts 2 hours and has 25 multiple choice questions in section A. Section B is worth 65 marks and examines the whole syllabus, whilst section C contains a choice of two extended answers, each worth 5 marks.
Next Steps
Success at Intermediate 2 level qualifies the student to enter Higher or College work and is regarded as being a good basis for further studies which require a knowledge of Biology.