Biology Syllabus

CSEC Forms 4 & 5

Biology syllabus

Every section of the syllabus, laid out term by term across Form 4 and Form 5, ending with the May–June exams.

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Form 4, Term 1

Sept to Dec, 13 weeks

Form 4 is here now

  1. Weeks 1–6

    Classification and ecology

    Section A: Living Organisms in the Environment

    • Diversity and classification
    • Ecological study of a habitat
    • Food chains, food webs and relationships

  2. Weeks 7–9

    Energy flow and nutrient cycles

    Section A: Living Organisms in the Environment

    • Energy flow through ecosystems
    • Carbon and nitrogen cycles

  3. Weeks 10–13

    Human impact and populations

    Section A: Living Organisms in the Environment

    • Pollution and climate change
    • Conservation
    • Population growth

Form 4, Term 2

Jan to Mar, 11 weeks

  1. Weeks 1–3

    Cells

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • Plant and animal cells
    • Diffusion, osmosis and active transport

  2. Weeks 4–7

    Nutrition

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • Photosynthesis
    • Human diet and digestion

  3. Weeks 8–11

    Respiration

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
    • Gaseous exchange

Form 4, Term 3

Apr to Jul, 10 weeks

  1. Weeks 1–4

    Transport

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • Blood and circulation
    • Transport in plants

  2. Weeks 5–7

    Excretion

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • The kidney
    • Excretion in plants

  3. Weeks 8–10

    Movement

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • The skeleton and muscles
    • Movement in plants

Form 5, Term 1

Sept to Dec, 13 weeks

Form 5 is here now

  1. Weeks 1–3

    Irritability

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • Nervous system and the eye
    • Plant responses

  2. Weeks 4–5

    Growth

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • Measuring growth
    • Germination

  3. Weeks 6–9

    Reproduction

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • Sexual and asexual reproduction
    • Human reproduction and birth control
    • Reproduction in flowering plants

  4. Weeks 10–13

    Disease

    Section B: Life Processes and Disease

    • Types of disease
    • Vectors and control
    • Drug use and health

Form 5, Term 2

Jan to Apr, 10 weeks

  1. Weeks 1–5

    Genetics and variation

    Section C: Continuity and Variation

    • DNA, genes and chromosomes
    • Mitosis and meiosis
    • Genetic crosses
    • Variation

  2. Weeks 6–8

    Evolution and genetic engineering

    Section C: Continuity and Variation

    • Species and speciation
    • Natural and artificial selection
    • Genetic engineering

  3. Weeks 9–10

    Revision and past papers

    • Timed papers
    • Drawing and labelling practice

CSEC exams

May to Jun

  • Three sections: Living Organisms in the Environment; Life Processes and Disease; Continuity and Variation.
  • SBA: practicals across both years (including an ecological study, food tests and genetics) plus an investigative project in Form 5.

This is a suggested pace. Your teacher may teach sections in a different order. For full objectives, see the official syllabus. CSEC syllabuses