S5 Parents’ Evening
Biology Department
Ian Buchanan
PT Biology
Duncanrig Secondary School
Programme
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Intermediate 2 and Higher course content
Course materials and practical work
Assessment procedures
Exam details – look at an exam paper
Supported study
Revision
Any questions
Intermediate 2 Biology
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Unit 1 Living Cells
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Unit 2 Environmental Biology and Genetics
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Covers the range of processes that go on in cells.
Considers various aspects of an ecosystem,
heredity, natural selection, artificial selection and
genetic engineering.
Unit 3 Animal Physiology
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Covers processes going on in the human body,
including digestion, how the kidneys, heart and
lungs work and the nervous system.
Higher Biology
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Unit 1 Cell Biology
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Unit 2 Genetics and Adaptation
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Cell variety and the range of processes that go on
in cells.
Variation in animals and plants, selection and
formation of new species, adaptations of animals
and plants to their surroundings.
Unit 3 Control and Regulation
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Control of growth in animals and plants, control of
processes in the human body and population
dynamics.
Assessment Procedures
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Check tests
End of Unit NAB test on knowledge and
understanding & problem solving (LO1/LO2)
“Upgrade” test
Practical and written report (LO3)
External SQA Examination
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Intermediate 2
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2 hour paper
In 3 sections:
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Section A – 25 multiple choice questions (25 marks)
Section B – structured questions on knowledge &
understanding, problem solving and
practical abilities
(65 marks)
Section C – has a choice of questions: answer
two of the extended response
questions
(10 marks)
TOTAL: 100 marks
External SQA Examination
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Higher
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2½ hour paper
In 3 sections:
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Section A – 30 multiple choice questions (30 marks)
Section B – structured questions on knowledge &
understanding, problem solving and
practical abilities
(80 marks)
Section C – has a choice of questions: answer two
of the extended response (essay style)
questions
(20 marks)
TOTAL: 130 marks
Supported Study
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Informal help given, e.g. at lunchtimes
Organised Supported Study after school prior
to prelims and SQA exams
Additional Revision Material
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Leckie & Leckie
Chemcord
Scholar
BBC Bitesize
Progression to S6
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Pupils can progress from Intermediate 2 to
Higher Biology in S6. The recommended
entry requirement is a grade B or better.
Pupils can progress from Higher to Advanced
Higher Biology in S6. The recommended entry
requirement is a grade B or better.
Question Time