Biology
The Biology department is staffed by specialist Biology teachers with wide-ranging backgrounds in the subject and is taught as a discrete Science from the start of Senior School; the three Science departments work closely together on cross-curricular Science projects. The department has five up-to-date rooms. Practical work is encouraged, as is participation in national events such as the BA CREST Award scheme and the British Biology Olympiad.
Biology: Staffing
Ms Ann McKenzie (Head of Department)
Ms McKenzie joined the department in 2008 and is responsible for running the department. In her first session, Ms McKenzie initiated several major improvement projects, including the construction of a new staff base area and pupil IT suite. As a keen outdoor leader she is a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's group trainer and assessor. In June 2010, Miss McKenzie lead the first GHS Scuba Diving trip to the Red Sea. Ms McKenzie has also been a Marker with the SQA.
Mr Andrew Ramage
Mr Ramage is a long-serving member of the Heriot's staff who came here as a pupil and has returned for over 25 years of teaching. He enjoys outdoor activities and co-ordinates Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions. Mr Ramage organises and prepares candidates for the Scottish CREST Award finals and takes care of the administration for British Biology Olympiad (BBO). In 2009 Heriot's was named Top School in Scotland by the BBO. Mr Ramage is also a Marker for Advanced Higher and Intermediate 2 with the SQA.
Mrs Gill Lippok
Mrs Lippok joined the biology department after experience in pre-school, primary and secondary education as well as teacher training college and as a school Governor. She closely follows wider educational developments and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. Mrs Lippok also organises the school Fencing Club and offers Ceilidh Dancing as an S6 Interest Course.
Mr Ian Munro
Mr Munro is a former pupil of the school who has been teaching for 5 years. Mr Munro has been a Year Teacher for S2 since November 2009 and next session will work with S3. He is the Extra-Curricular Co-ordinator for the Senior school and Head of Rowing. In addition to the various regattas organised by Mr Munro, August 2009 led a rowing tour to South Africa.
Mrs Hilary Smith
Mrs Smith is a part-time member of the department who joined Heriot's 2 years ago from teaching in various East Lothian schools. She is passionate about the environment and runs the school Eco-Club (more fondly known as ‘the boggers'). Recently, they won a wormery for the school in the ‘make waste history' competition.
Ms Deborah Barnaby
Ms Barnaby joined us in session 2008-09 following a period spent out of teaching to bring up a family and to work towards a Doctorate. Last year, Ms Barnaby was Science Assessor for the new Scottish Baccalaureate qualification in Science. A keen sailor, Debbie is interested in all water sports she is Deputy Leader on the Red Sea Scuba Diving trip and she assists at the Fencing Club.
Ms Gayle Davidson
Ms Davidson will join the department in August 2009 as a probationer teacher, having completed her PGCE at Glasgow University. She has enjoyed an excellent first session and is looking forward to widening her experience, teaching new courses next session. Ms Davidson has coached a hockey team and remains keen to be involved in extra curricular activities.
Mrs Arlene Greenan
Mrs Greenan joined us as our technician having had considerable experience in commercial laboratories. She is a parent as well as a member of staff and, like all technicians, is the most important member of the department!
Biology: Curriculum
S1
The S1 course encourages pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural world around them.
The first block introduces the pupils to the principles of ecology, making full use of the school's mature grounds and the developing eco-garden, culminating in a small research project and presentation on ‘Climate Change'.
The second block is centred on the national accreditation BA CREST award scheme that promotes pupils' innovation and creativity in science using a practical and problem-solving approach.
The course encompasses a variety of techniques, designed to challenge and motivate each pupil to achieve their potential.
S2
The S2 course builds on the biological principles and skills developed in S1 with pupils encouraged to apply their critical thinking to a range of problem-solving and practical investigation work.
The first block introduces the concepts of Genetics and Inheritance and their implication for variation in society at large. The topic of Reproduction is covered along with Transport Mechanisms in Cells.
In the second block, the theme of ‘health' is central to the topics covered. Healthy Bodies, Microbiology and Healthy Planet topics are studied . The underlying emphasis of the course is the application of science to the real world, giving the pupils an opportunity to discuss, research and debate current, topical issues.
S3
Pupils follow the Intermediate 2 course in S3, details of which can be found on the SQA website, http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/2571.html . We have re-arranged the order of the course to teach the simpler topics in S3 and to include extension topics such as Mitosis that are biologically important but not included in the SQA syllabus. The focus is upon practical work and learning through experiencing the science with the session culminating in students designing and carrying out their own investigation for Outcome 3.
S4
The harder material in the Intermediate 2 course is covered in S4 and all of the NABs are taken at this stage. While we continue to try to use practical work to emphasise aspects of the course the focus moves onto answering exam style questions.
S5
Higher Biology is a challenging course that links well to Units 1 and 2 of Intermediate 2. Details of the course can be found on the SQA website, http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/2571.html . Throughout the year pupils are constantly required to think carefully about topics and are regularly challenged with demanding problem solving and ethical questions about current Biological issues. Units are taught sequentially and each Unit is completed with the pupils sitting the appropriate NAB.
S6
Advanced Higher Biology at Heriot's provides a broad-based, integrated study of a wide range of biological topics which build on the concepts developed during Higher Biology. The content of the two mandatory units reflects the importance of cell / molecular biology and environmental biology as fundamental areas of science, which form the basis for study in applied fields of biology. However, a practical research project and the opportunity to choose an area of study for the third mandatory unit also permits students to explore their own interests.
The course provides a general basis for further study in areas related to biology and develops an understanding of the way in which biological principles can be applied to the issues facing the individual and society. Some may argue that in the face of growing concerns over sustainability and climate change, there could not be a more relevant subject.
S6 Higher Human Biology
This course is appealing to S6 pupils who have not taken and passed Higher Biology. It is a ‘crash course' which demands considerable aptitude for the subject and an understanding that regular consolidation of work covered in class is essential for success. The course specification can be found on the SQA website: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/2571.html and involves the study of 3 mandatory Units, each assessed by a NAB test. Candidates must pass all 3 NABs in order to be presented for the course examination.