Biology

We have two well equipped full sized laboratories and one small lab all with full multimedia facilities and optical microscopes. We are equipped to do the following genetics work: PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction and fruit fly genetics.

We also have an extensive fenced ‘outdoor classroom’ equipped with a large wildlife pond, vegetable garden, fruit orchard and wild flower meadow. A brand new large greenhouse has been built, where we have set up a hydroponics kit to look at the effect of different nutrients on growth rate of various vegetables.

A white board and outdoor seating area has been installed so classes can be taught ‘al fresco’ in the fine weather.

We currently have the following animals in our menagerie: corn snakes, tortoises, chameleon, stick insects, giant African land snails, salt water tank, chickens, ducks, axolotl, and various fish. After life, we use these organisms for dissections, providing unusual but fascinating specimens to observe.

We use dissection to demonstrate structure of organ systems with material sourced from deer and rabbits that have been culled.

I & II Forms: The Science syllabus for I and II Forms covers the needs of our new intake and is in line with the stipulations of the Curriculum for Excellence and the English National Curriculum.

Biology as a distinct subject is taught from the III Form.

III Form: Our syllabus is written as a link between introductory science topics covered in I and II Forms and the GCSE topics to be commenced in IV Form. The syllabus also caters as an introductory Biology course for those entering the School at this level.

IV Form: The course is an introduction to the IGCSE using syllabus content from the KS4 of the National Curriculum. There is an emphasis on relating Biology to everyday situations and to general health. Modules covered include the variety of life, cellular exchange, food groups and healthy eating, fitness and exercise, disease and immunity, ecology and the environment, reproduction, variation and inheritance.  There is a strong emphasis on investigation skills and exam technique that will be beneficial on commencement of IGCSE.

Shell & V Form: The Edexcel IGCSE Biology course is taught which includes: Structure and function in organisms, reproduction and inheritance, ecology and the environment and use of biological resources. There is an emphasis on practical work and learning the scientific method. 

VI Forms: We teach the Edexcel Specification B Biology course at AS & A level. At AS Modules include: Biological molecules, Cells and viruses, Classification and Exchange and transport. At A level: Energy for biological processes, Microbiology and pathogens, Modern genetics, Origins of genetic variation, control systems and ecosystems.

DNA workshop

UVI boys are given the chance to carry out advanced genetics techniques in our own labs with our own equipment. We cover DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction for amplification of DNA micro pippeting, and gel electrophoresis to produce a genetic fingerprint of the boys own mitochondrial DNA.

Biology Olympiad

VI Form boys have the chance to enter this national competition to demonstrate Biological excellence.

Edinburgh University

Each term we take a group of interested V form boys to series of talks at Edinburgh University where professors discuss their recent findings but put it in a context that school students will understand and engage with.

Scotland’s International Marine Conference

The conference focused on current national and international actions to protect the marine environment, identify emerging threats to our seas and consider what new measures are required to protect the marine environment for future generations. The conference addressed how to achieve clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse seas for the first day before focusing on impacts of marine litter and potential solutions to address this global problem on the second day.

Sea Scotland

In 2019 we took a group of LVI Form boys to ‘Sea, Soul and Society: Adapting to climate change.’ It made them aware of climate change adaptation and showed them what steps need to be take to encourage innovative thinking and action

Heriot Watt University

Each year we take the whole of the LVI Form Biology students to Heriot Watt University to show them an up to date electron microscope. They tell them how it works and even get a demonstration using various materials. This links to our A level course s gives boys the real life experience of the theoretical content.

Other Visits

Visits to the Anatomical Museum and Botanical Gardens provide real life experiences of subjects taught at A Level.