Syllabus & Exam Structure

The Leaving Certificate Biology syllabus consists of 3 units completed over 2 years

Units

Unit 1 - The Study of Life

• The Scientific Method
• The Characteristics of Life
• Nutrition
• Ecology

Unit 2 - The Cell

• Cell Structure
• Cell Metabolism
• Cell Continuity
• Cell Diversity
• Genetics

Unit 3 - The Organism

• Diversity of Organisms
• Microbiology
• Plant Biology
• Human Biology

Exam Structure

The examination at higher and ordinary level is three hours duration. The exam paper is divided into three units

• Section A - Six short questions (answer five) 100 marks
• Section B - Three questions on practical activities (answer two) 60 marks
• Section C - Six long questions (answer four) 240 marks

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There are 22 mandatory activities. Three of these are examined each year. Two of which have to be answered. A laboratory record of these activities has to be kept and available for inspection by The Department of Education and Science