Our mission in the Biology Department is to provide numerous and diverse exploratory learning experiences both within the curriculum and outside of the classroom.
Fully engaging the NLCS belief in “floors, not ceilings”, in what is now an exciting and rapidly developing contemporary science. Biological sciences are many, interdisciplinary, and continually developing and broadening in scope. With this firmly in mind, we support our students to increase their confidence within this environment and assist them in using both the traditional pathological approach to biology and also the holistic cognitive and technological approach at the reductionist level; our vision is for our students and teachers to be collaborative explorers in the fascinating and dynamic evolution of biological knowledge and practice which supports and improves life and living systems.
The Biology curricula is continually challenging following constant changing demands and the evolution of knowledge. Not only is our Biology curricula content representative of the broad spectrum of contemporary research and knowledge but there is also the challenge in the identification and exploration of the interdisciplinary links between Biology and all other relevant areas of thought and knowledge. For example, our senior students will meet curriculum topics such as biological molecules, cells and ecosystem dynamics, scaffolded in a spiral manner. In each instance, the dynamics of the other sciences are an inclusive part of these topics as the associated systems, such as immunological response or neural signalling, requires a firm understanding of relevant aspects of physics and chemistry. There are numerous practical experiences within our lessons and outside of the classroom. In the instance of exploring biological molecule movement within the cell, it is introduced in Year 7 and 8 practicals. Then particle movements in biological systems are further explored in IGCSE and IBDP Biology experiments through the use of data logging equipment and biological molecular technology.
Such is the relevance of biology to all aspects of life, our students are encouraged to pursue a range of extracurricular activities and learning opportunities, constructed to maximise exploration and communication of their interest or passion for biology.
The NLCS Jeju Medical Review is held annually, challenging the research skills and communication abilities of our Year 10, 11 and 12 students. The number of societies and enterprises linked to the Biology department represent the diversity of the subject and our student’s interests. The IB DP CAS programme, our CCA and Bryant programme supports a number of activities such as the Biology Olympiad, Trauma and First Responders Awareness, Scuba Diving, Beekeeping and Aquaculture to name a few of the associated activities delivered by the Biology staff.
Here in the Biology Department, we are well aware of the number of choices our students will be exposed to when it comes to a career linked to biological sciences. Many of our Alumnae now read in the areas of medicine, dentistry, biochemistry, neurology, biological engineering to name a few. For our students wishing not to study biology, we instil what is now the inevitable engagement in the ethics, moral, social, environmental and economic aspects linked to all areas of biology.
