Uganda Senior Two Biology Curriculum

This curriculum is designed to equip learners with a comprehensive understanding of biological principles and their application in everyday life. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and deeper understanding through scientific inquiry. It promotes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The curriculum is organized into themes and topics, with suggested learning activities and sample assessment strategies.

Term 1: Soil

• Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil: (20 periods) Learners explore different soil types (clay, sand, loam), their constituents (inorganic particles, humus, water, air, mineral salts, living organisms), and properties (water retention, drainage, capillarity, pH). Experiments are conducted to determine the percentage of air, water, and humus in soil samples. The importance of air and water in soil for living organisms is emphasized.
• Soil Erosion and Conservation: (16 periods) Learners investigate the causes and effects of soil erosion and explore methods of soil conservation. The role of microorganisms in maintaining soil fertility, particularly in the nitrogen cycle, is studied.

Term 2: Nutrition in Plants and Animals

• Nutrition Types and Nutrient Compounds: (11 periods) Learners define nutrition and identify food nutrients, their sources, and importance to humans. Food tests are performed. The concept of a balanced diet is explored in relation to age, sex, and activity level. The causes and effects of nutrient deficiency and related diseases are examined. Body mass index (BMI) is calculated and interpreted. Major plant mineral nutrients, their roles, and deficiency symptoms are identified.
• Nutrition in Green Plants: (10 periods) Learners differentiate between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition. The process of photosynthesis is studied, including experiments to investigate factors affecting its rate. Leaf adaptations for photosynthesis are examined.
• Nutrition in Mammals: (15 periods) Learners investigate the role of enzymes in digestion and how pH and temperature affect enzyme activity. Different types of mammalian teeth and their relation to diet are studied. The importance of oral hygiene is emphasized. The structure and function of the mammalian alimentary canal and the processes of digestion, absorption, and assimilation are explored.

Term 3: Transport in Plants and Animals

• Transport in Plants: (18 periods) Learners investigate the movement of materials into and out of cells, including diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. Root hair adaptations for absorption are studied. The processes of transpiration and translocation are explored, including experiments on factors affecting transpiration.
• Transport in Animals: (18 periods) Learners examine the need for a transport system in mammals, focusing on the circulatory system. The structure and function of the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries) are studied. The functions of blood components are explored. Causes and prevention of heart diseases (high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke) are discussed. The importance of blood groups for transfusions and the role of blood in defense and immunity are also covered. The formation and function of lymph and the lymphatic system are also included.