Biology

Biology is the science of our time.

It encompasses topics as disparate as genetic engineering and conservation. An understanding of the natural world, where we fit into it, where we came from and where we are going is fundamental to a complete education. At Aiglon we try to give all students a taste of the subject in the 3rd form before they choose electives for their GCSE studies.

The course students follow in the 4th and 5th forms is the International GCSE in Biology. This is administered by EDEXCEL, the UK exam board. The course is broad-based, encompassing topics from cell biology to ecology. Students who achieve good grades (A* - B) in this course are encouraged to continue on to the IB course in Biology.

In the sixth form student may choose Biology at Standard or Higher level in Group 4 (Experimental Sciences) of the IB. Students are encouraged to ‘learn through doing’ by carrying out practical investigations rather than just listening to teacher exposition, and considerable use is made of ICT. Rapid advances in biological and medical research make this course stimulating and topical.

There are 4 basic biological concepts that run throughout the course. They are:

Structure and function
Universality versus diversity
Equilibrium within systems
Evolution

The department aims to provide worthwhile educational experience for all students to enable them to acquire sufficient understanding and knowledge to:

• become confident citizens in a technological world, to take and develop an informed interest in matters of biological importance;
• recognise the usefulness and limitations of the scientific method and to appreciate its relevance to other disciplines and in everyday life;
• be suitably prepared for studies beyond Aiglon in Biology or related studies;
• develop attitudes relevant to Biology such as a concern for accuracy and precision;
• objectivity, integrity, enquiry, initiative and inventiveness.

“....finches on the neighbouring islands showed marked differences....” Charles Darwin - Voyage of the Beagle