Suggested Learning and Teaching Sequence for the DSE Biology Curriculum
Level |
Topics | |
F4 |
Compulsory Part | |
I. Cells and Molecules of Life | a. Molecules of life | |
b. Cellular organisation | ||
c. Movement of substances across membrane | ||
III. Organisms and Environment | a. Essential life processes in plants | |
b. Essential life processes in animals | ||
d. Coordination and response | ||
e. Homeostasis | ||
f. Ecosystems | ||
F5
|
Compulsory Part | |
I. Cells and Molecules of Life | d. Cell cycle and division | |
e. Cellular energetics | ||
II. Genetics and Evolution | a. Basic genetics | |
b. Molecular genetics | ||
c. Biodiversity and evolution | ||
III. Organisms and Environment | c. Reproduction, growth and development | |
IV. Health and Diseases | a. Personal health | |
b. Diseases | ||
c. Body defence mechanisms | ||
Elective part | ||
V. Human Physiology: Regulation and Control | a. Regulation of water content | |
b. Regulation of body temperature | ||
c. Regulation of gas content in blood | ||
d. Hormonal control of reproductive cycle | ||
F6
|
Elective part | |
VIII. Biotechnology | a. Techniques in modern biotechnology | |
b. Applications in biotechnology | ||
e. Bioethics |
Time Allocation for the DSE Biology Curriculum
Scientific Investigations |
20 hrs |
Compulsory Part |
180 hrs |
I. Cells and Molecules of Life II. Genetics and Evolution III. Organisms and Environment IV. Health and Diseases |
(44 hrs) |
Elective part |
50 hrs |
V. Human Physiology VIII. Biotechnology |
(25 hrs) |
Total |
250 hrs |
Assessment
Component | Weighting | Duration | |
Public Examination | Paper 1 Compulsory part Section A 18% Multiple-choice questionsSection B 42% Short questions, structured questions and essay |
60% | 2½ hrs |
Paper 2 Elective part
Attempt questions from any two of the four electives |
20% | 1 hr | |
School-based Assessment (SBA) | Practical related task | 20% |
School-based Assessment (SBA) Requirements | ||
Minimum number of assessments | ||
Area A – Practical Skills (8%) | Area B – investigative study (12%) | |
S5 | 1 | 1 |
S6 | 1 | 1 |