BIOLOGY

AIMS

Senior science education begins for Dollar Academy pupils in Junior 1 (Primary 6).

The Biology Department aims to

• provide pupils with a sound general scientific education
• develop in pupils an awareness of themselves and the living world
• provide pupils with suitable skills and qualifications
• enhance the future career prospects of all pupils
• achieve all of this in a positive and happy atmosphere.

Form I Balloon Experiment

COURSES AVAILABLE

Form II Biology. In Form II we complete the 5-14 National guidelines for Science, and prepare the ground for the Intermediate 2 Biology course. We concentrate, in particular, on developing practical investigative skills and cover the topics of Bones and Teeth, Diet and Digestion, the Senses and Bio-technology. Weekly homework of about thirty minutes is given.

Intermediate 2 Biology. The Intermediate 2 course has replaced the Standard Grade Biology course for Forms III and IV. The aim is to provide a better grounding for Higher Biology and Higher Human Biology so that there is a smoother transition from third and fourth years to Higher. Form III begins with a study of the environment and local ecosystems. Pupils are involved in fieldwork in the Academy grounds, Dollar Glen, and a rocky shore near St Andrews. Work continues with the study of Cell Processes and Human Physiology. Topics covered in Form IV include Reproduction, Genetics, Evolution and Biotechnology. Pupils have around one hour of homework weekly and are provided with a general Biology textbook. They also have the opportunity to purchase other booklets to help with preparation for the final examinations. There are two field trips organised in Form III to Kingsbarns and Loch Lomond.

Higher Biology and Higher Human Biology. Both courses are based on ring-bound booklets, which are provided for the pupils. Pupils purchase past-paper booklets to complete for homework, and have access to a variety of Biology textbooks. These two Highers have equal status as a University entrance qualification. Both courses cover a wide range of Biological topics including Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Physiology, Regulation and Behaviour.

Pupils wishing to study Advanced Higher in Form VI can study Higher Biology or Higher Human Biology in Form V. Homework is given on a regular basis.

Biotechnology. We offer a full Scottish Higher in Bio-technology. The course familiarises pupils with this rapidly expanding area of industry, and provides them with an experience of some of the latest biological techniques, such as DNA isolation and gel electrophoresis. As an integral part of the course there are visits to a variety of industries and research institutions.

Medical Science. Pupils planning to study Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine at University have the opportunity to take this course, which includes four hours of study per week in: Microbiology, Statistics, Practical Chemistry and Medical Physics. In addition, one hour per week is allocated to a crash course in Higher Human Biology.

Psychology. This introductory course, which takes two hours per week, includes topics such as motivation, learning, stress and the evolution of behaviour.

STAFF

Andrew Morton is Head of Biology. He has wide experience of the SQA exam system, is a writer of textbooks and is involved in National and International development work in assessment and learning.

Marjorie Smith is National Development Officer for the SAPS Biotechnology Scotland Project. This project, which is funded by Industry, aims to provide support for teachers in the teaching of biotechnology both in Scottish schools and further afield. Mrs Smith is assisted by Mrs Ferguson, Dr Payne and by Mrs Inglis who is involved in the training of technicians.

John Fraser is Year Head of Form II and runs the highly successful Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Well over one hundred senior pupils participate in this scheme each year.

Lucy Payne takes an active part in developments in Biotechnology. She also co-ordinates the European Comenius project on PSE and runs the Boarders’ Horse Riding Club.

Charlie Ainge is Assistant Head of Year for Form VI. He coaches a Form III rugby team and runs the “Four Tunas” fishing club for pupils.

Frances McDonald is Assistant Head of Year for Form IV and coaches a Form II hockey team. She runs a regular lunch-time pet club and also assists with the French exchange.

Pam Ferguson is involved part-time with the SAPS Biotechnology project. She is also in charge of J1 and J2 Science and is a House Tutor at Argyll. She runs the successful Crest Award Scheme for younger pupils at the school and coaches basketball.

Mr Morton, Mrs Smith, Mrs Ferguson, Dr Payne and Mrs Jarvis all teach on part-time contracts.

FIELD TRIP TO MALAYSIA

Pupils studying Biology in Forms III to VI have an opportunity to go on a two-week expedition to Malaysia during the first two weeks of the summer holidays. The trip includes exploration of mangrove swamps, coral reefs and tropical jungle on the island of Tioman. The high point is four days of scuba diving in the tropical reefs, with PADI Open-Water certification. At the end of the trip, two days are spent in Singapore.

In preparation for the trip, pupils are trained in the Dollar Academy swimming pool by the Forth Valley Sub-Aqua Club. Full details are available on the school Website, and pupils may apply at any time by downloading and completing an application form.

The aim of the department is to continue to implement and develop the National Qualifications programme. Having offered London Edexcel “A” level Biology for over twenty-five years, we are now offering the SQA Advanced Higher Biology course. The continued development of this new course is one of our objectives for 2006-2007.

Our prime objective is to make best use of the wide variety of IT support materials for the teaching of Biology. To this end, we have data projectors installed in two labs and hope to have all labs fitted with either data projectors or interactive whiteboards by the end of the 2006-2007 session.