Tunisia Basic Education Syllabus - Natural Sciences (9th Year)

The 9th year of Basic Education in Tunisia corresponds to the first year of secondary education. The Natural Sciences curriculum, often referred to as Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (SVT), covers a range of topics in biology and geology. The following outlines the program based on the official syllabus from the Tunisian Ministry of Education:

I. Plant Production Improvement (12 weeks)

• 1. Mineral Nutrition: This section focuses on understanding how plants absorb and transport water and minerals. It covers the mechanisms of water absorption, the role of root hairs, osmosis, and the importance of mineral elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and iron for plant growth. Students also learn about fertilization techniques and the risks of excessive fertilizer and pesticide use.
• 2. Carbon Nutrition: This section explores the diversity of plant production and the process of photosynthesis. Students learn about the role of light and chlorophyll, the exchange of gases during photosynthesis and respiration, and the factors influencing photosynthetic intensity.
• 3. Vegetative Propagation: This section covers various methods of vegetative propagation, including cuttings, layering, and grafting. It also introduces modern techniques like micropropagation and tissue culture, emphasizing their importance in increasing plant production and preserving desirable traits.

II. Microbes and Health (6 weeks)

• 1. Diversity of the Microbial World: This section introduces the diversity of microorganisms, including protozoa, bacteria, mold, and viruses. It differentiates between pathogenic, non-pathogenic, and beneficial microbes.
• 2. Body's Defenses: This section explores the body's immune system, including non-specific and specific immunity. It covers the properties of the specific immune response (memory, specificity, diversity) and its applications in vaccination and serotherapy.

III. Discovering and Managing Our Environment (6 weeks)

• 1. Geological Study of a Local Site: This section involves studying a local geological site to understand landforms, erosion, stratification, and tectonic features. Students learn to identify rocks and relate landforms to the nature of the underlying rocks.
• 2. Exploitation of a Local Rock: This section focuses on determining the properties and mineral composition of a local rock and relating these properties to its uses.

This syllabus provides a foundation in natural sciences, preparing students for further studies in biology and geology. It emphasizes practical activities, observation, and experimentation to develop students' scientific skills and understanding.