Seychelles S4-S5 Biology Syllabus

This syllabus outlines the Biology curriculum for S4-S5, building upon the Integrated Science foundation from S1-S3. It aims to provide students with an understanding of the structure and function of living organisms, from cells to complex systems, and the principles of evolution.

S4 Biology

• 4.1. Introduction to Biology: This unit introduces the scientific domain of biology as the study of living things, exploring various definitions of "life" and the highest-level taxonomic groups of organisms (bacteria, archaea, and major eukaryote groups like plants, animals, fungi, and protists). It also touches upon the common ancestry of all life on Earth.

4.2. Cells: This unit covers the cell theory as a fundamental principle of biology, including intracellular organization, the principle of Omnis cellula a cellula*, and the diversity of cell forms and functions. Students will observe cells and organelles under a light microscope. Practical activities may include preparing microscope mounts, drawing cells, and identifying organelles.

• 4.3. Levels of Organisation in Living Things: This unit explores the composition of living things from atoms to differentiated tissues, organs, and systems in multicellular organisms. It also covers reproduction in multicellular organisms, including both asexual and sexual reproduction, and the implications of each.
• 4.4. Communication: This unit examines communication systems in multicellular organisms, focusing on hormones (universal to multicellular organisms) and nervous systems (animals only). Students will compare and contrast these systems and explore their functions in different taxa.
• 4.5. Transport: This unit investigates how multicellular organisms absorb resources and energy, transport nutrients and cell products, and dispose of waste products. Students will analyze different transport and circulatory systems in various taxa.
• 4.6. Control: This unit addresses the balance between individual cell interests and the overall well-being of a multicellular organism. It covers cancers as a failure of control mechanisms and explores risk factors for cancer in humans.
• 4/5.0 Human Sexuality: This unit involves open discussions and education on human sexuality, covering topics like anatomy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, sexual identity, and consent. The timing of this unit is flexible within S4 or S5.

S5 Biology

• 5.0. Field Trip: A compulsory two-day field trip focuses on ecological diversity, evolution, human impact on nature, and sustainable development. It links themes from Integrated Science (S1-S3) with the concept of evolution.
• 5.1. Evolution: This unit covers the history of life on Earth, the theory of natural selection (variation, inheritance, struggle for existence, and time), and the construction of phylogenies.
• 5.2. Mendelian Inheritance: This unit introduces Mendel's model of inheritance, monohybrid crosses, and more complex phenotypes (codominance, incomplete dominance, and polygenic characters).
• 5.3. Chromosomal Inheritance: This unit explores the physical location of genes on chromosomes, the connection between meiosis and Mendelian predictions, and sex determination in mammals and other organisms.
• 5.4. Molecular Inheritance: This unit covers DNA as the carrier of genetic information, its structure, function, replication, and the implications of DNA manipulation. It also synthesizes evolution and genetics in discussions of eugenics and current issues related to genetic knowledge.

Assessment

Assessment will encompass key competences, attainment descriptors, and cross-cutting concepts. It will include a variety of formative and summative assessments, with a strong emphasis on practical work. Students will be assessed on their ability to design investigations, write lab reports, use mathematical techniques, create models, demonstrate digital literacy, integrate ethical aspects of science, and present their work.