Biology
"Students of Biology are in the right place at the right time"
Introduction to Biology, by Campbell, Reece and Mitchell
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Introduction
Biology is the subject of the 21st Century.
At no other stage in history have we seen human knowledge advance so quickly. There are now over one million new publications every year in the scientific journals; a million new things discovered. No-one can possibly hope to keep up with this dizzying pace of discovery, but at OHS we aim to include the most exciting and relevant Biological discoveries in our teaching.
Our emphasis is very much on practical work, with girls encouraged to take responsibility for designing and carrying out their own experimental investigations. There are dissections, "wet lab" work micro-biology, fruit fly breeding, behavioural experiments, and basic genetic techniques in the 6th form. Even pure theory is supported by model making or role play or animations, including innovative use of PowerPoint.
Girls in the 6th form are also encouraged to read widely round the subject (see Reading List taster) and we are very keen on "why" questions, as students try to explain the living world around them.
Our courses are challenging and stimulating, and aim to encourage curiosity, sound scientific technique, independent study and confident practical skills.
It has never been a better time to be a Biologist.
Year 9 Biology
Year 9 girls modelling Osmosis
In Year 9, girls study Biology as a separate science for the first time. The course provides a general introduction to the subject and introduces important skills and concepts that they will need throughout all their Biological studies at OHS. Topics include microscopy, micro-biology, dissection, osmosis, diffusion and mammalian reproduction.
Bacterial colonies cultured from Oxford High School garden soil
GCSE Biology
Girls in Years 10 and 11 follow a course unique to Oxford High School. Although based on the Biology specification of the AQA Additional Science syllabus, girls can expect to explore topics in far more depth and detail. The course is intended to be stimulating, exciting and up-to-date, with masses of practical work and satisfying levels of explanation. Among other topics, girls can expect to cover Enzymes, Mammalian Transport, Immunology and Genetics. We discuss the often controversial applications of Biological Technology, and students are encouraged to form opinions based on real scientific knowledge and understanding.
At the end of this course, they will not only gain their Additional Science qualification, they will also have enjoyed a challenging course that, should they choose to continue with Biology, provides ideal training for A-level.
Year 11 girls with rare Amazonian Reebops following successful captive breeding programme. Note the different phenotypic characteristics.
A-Level Biology
Biology is a traditionally popular subject at A-level, with over 60 girls in Years 12 and 13 choosing to study it. We follow the OCR specification, and will continue with OCR in September 2008 when the new A-levels come into operation. Although the theoretical knowledge required is much greater than at GCSE, it is also more satisfying and interesting, and we continue to place a strong emphasis on practical work. Girls can, among other things, expect to examine their own blood, carry out DNA finger printing and build their own DNA models. They are also trained in basic field work techniques, which this year took place at Nettlecombe Court in Somerset during the Year 13 Biology Field Trip.
How strong is an artery wall? OHS student Emma can't believe her eyes, Helen doesn't even want to risk looking...
Clare Patterson tries out some karaoke with the carbon dioxide sensor
Careers and Opportunities
Biologists do not just become Biology teachers. For some, it is, of course, one of the A-levels they need to qualify for training in Medicine or Veterinary Medicine. For others, it can lead to a vast range of careers and opportunities. The following list just gives a flavour of the possibilities, both at university and beyond.
University Courses with a Biological Flavour
- Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry, Physiology, Physiotherapy, Pharmacology, Immunology, Anatomy, Neuroscience,
- Biochemistry, Genetics, Population Genetics, Developmental Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Virology, Developmental Biology
- Forensic Science, Food Science, Brewing (yes, really), Sports Science, Indian Head Massage
- Botany, Zoology, Marine Biology, Oceanography, Ecology
- Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management, Tropical Coastal Management, Fisheries, Aquaculture
- Psychology, Anthropology, Biometrics, Statistics
Subsequent careers
- Journalism
- Conservation
- Wildlife film making
- Overseas development work
- Research
- Environmental law
- Environmental policy making
- Tourism
- Education
Staff
Head of Department
- Dr Paul Weeks MA, PhD (Cambridge) - Check out more of the flavour of OHS Biology at Dr Weeks's own website.
Teaching Staff
- Miss Sue Berry
- Mrs Judith Stone
- Mrs Olwen Curry
- Mrs Maria Whittington
Technical Staff
- Ms Kay Bell
Reading List Taster
Genome
Definitely the BEST popular introduction to modern genetics. Ridley's structure is wonderfully simple; 23 chapters to cover the 23 human chromosomes, but he uses it brilliantly. We start with Chromosome number 1 and a gene that we share with every other life form, including, probably, the very first living organism. Stunning. And essential reading.
APW
The Blind Watchmaker
Every A-level Biology student should read at least one of Dawkins' books, and this may be the best place to start. Readable and provocative, you can accuse Dawkins of many things, but he is never dull. This book outlines how Evolution can result in astonishingly complex structures, such as the eye, while simultaneously rubbishing the claim that such things provide evidence for the existence of god. All good, clean fun.
APW
The Energy of Life
An enthralling account of the electricity that keeps you alive and one of the best popular science books ever written. It complements the A2 Respiration topic perfectly and makes all kinds of complex issues immediately accessible. If you read nothing else, read this.
APW
Power, sex, suicide: mitochondria and the meaning of life
Not an easy read, but awesome in scope and mind-boggling in the implications. From the very origins of mitochondria in the murky bacterial soup, to the dangers of keeping DNA next to this bubbling furnace of free radicals, to the role of mitochondria in apoptosis. Includes all the latest research and ideas in this field, and essential reading for anyone who's serious about Oxbridge.
APW
The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat
Sack's case studies make fascinating reading and this is the most famous, and probably the most accessible, of his books. The chapters are interesting for what they reveal about the human brain and how it works, but the stories are so much more than just dry case histories. Sachs never loses sight of the fact that his patients, for all their bizarre symptoms, are human beings, and his compassion is evident throughout. Extraordinary and moving, this book may change the way you view the world. Superb.
APW
Atkin's Molecules
This sounds terribly dry. A book about molecules? Ugh. But try this extract from the section of pheromones:
"Another component of male underarm sweat provides an engaging story. This component is a hormone molecule that closely resembles one secreted by a male pig encouraging mating behaviour in a sow. The same pheromone is also secreted by the fungus we know as the truffle. Because truffles do not appear above ground, they must be sought out by pigs, who end up frustrated. Whether our enjoyment of truffles is related to our perhaps unconscious enjoyment of our own underarm sweat is a matter of conjecture."
Could make you fall in love with Biochemistry...
APW
The Periodic Table
Primo Levi is best known for his extraordinary accounts of his time in Auschwitz as a prisoner of the Nazis, how he lived, how he survived, and how he finally found his way home. These books, If This Is A Man, and The Truce, should be read by anyone and everyone. But Levi was an industrial chemist by training, and another of his books, the unpromisingly titled The Periodic Table, celebrates this first love. Forget the title. Each chapter has the name of an element, and each is a self-contained story. These vary hugely, from pure fantasy to historical fable to autobiographical snippets. Vanadium describes how his knowledge of that element's properties helped him survive the concentration camp. Lead tells the story of a mediaeval lead worker. Carbon, the best of all, narrates the journey of a carbon atom as it travels into and out of the living world. These are wonderful stories, wholly original and utterly compelling. Highly recommended.
APW
Recent Events
Oxfordshire 6th Form Biologists of 2009
6th form Biologists from over 30 schools attended a prize giving event at the Museum of Natural History, which celebrated the talent of exceptional Biology students in both private and state schools. Freya Ferguson won the prize for the best Year 13 Biology student at OHS, and is seen here receiving her certificate from Dr George McGavin, research associate at Jesus College and TV broadcaster on “Lost Land of the Volcano”.
Dr McGavin gave a talk on his work in television, and on the frightening loss of biodiversity. When asked what advice he would give to young people who felt inspired by his talk and wanted to make a difference, Dr McGavin was unequivocal: “Study Biology. There are a huge number of possible careers and it is the most important subject there is.”
2009 Biology Field Trip
It was Fashion Wellie Week down in rural Somerest at the start of term, as the Year 13 Biologists descended upon Nettlecombe Court (see picture) to hone their field work skills, and carry out their Assessed Practical Work. They returned 4 days later, sun-kissed and triumphant after a hugely successful field trip. The weather was resplendent, the setting spectacular, and the cake plentiful. Girls bonded with blackfly larvae and freshwater shrimps and agreed that both were more exciting than clover, white or red. A group of unusually immature GCSE boy Geographers barely distracted from the main excitement of the trip, the evening game of Mafia....
There was a glorious technicolour selection of wellington boots on display, and much curiosity from the local cows. I have never enjoyed a field trip as much as this one, and the uniformly high scores of the PSAs were merely the icing on the cake.
Oxford High School Triumph at Biology Olympiad
7 girls from Year 13 have won Oxford High the Top School award in the annual Biology Olympiad. Over 1,800 6th form students entered the competition, but only 58 won Gold Medals. These included Clare Thakker, Lizzie Jefferys, Hannah Al-Yousuf and Shirley Yick. With three additional Bronze Medals from Roberta Iley, Lucy Li and Frances Ng, our position as Top School was secure.
Clare, Lizzie and Hannah were actually placed in the top 40 students, thereby securing a place in the 2nd round. After a tough second paper, Lizzie won through to the last 12 (i.e. the top 12 Biology students in the country!) and now has a strong chance to be selected for the team of 4 that will represent the UK in the International Biology Olympiad in Japan, this summer.
Lizzie Jefferys was also nominated as the top Biologist in the school for the OISSP award. She was presented with her prize at a ceremony at the Oxford Museum of Natural History on Tuesday 17th March.
STOP PRESS
We are delighted to announce that after a gruelling 4 days of assessed practical work and theoretical exams, Lizzie Jefferys has been selected to represent the UK as one of the team of 4 students taking part in the International Olympiad in Japan this summer. Full details on the British Biology Olympiad website.