Biology good notes

Conaaaa

Im in ty and doing biology 100% next year and i want to get aheas so im making notes and basically covering the course before i step into a biology class ... Is this a good idea i think the notes so far are accurate (im upto chapter 5 higher level ecology) anyway would ye think its stupid to try do notes this early as they wont be perfect?!i

Troxck

Conaaaa wrote: »

Im in ty and doing biology 100% next year and i want to get aheas so im making notes and basically covering the course before i step into a biology class ... Is this a good idea i think the notes so far are accurate (im upto chapter 5 higher level ecology) anyway would ye think its stupid to try do notes this early as they wont be perfect?!i

There's no point. You're probably just summarising something you don't 100% understand. There's a difference between writing out points from a chapter and understanding a topic and making concise and exam orientated notes based on it.

Enjoy your TY, you have two years to do the Biology course. Of course, there's no harm in looking at the topics you'll be studying but I think writing notes would be a waste of time.

thelad95

Why not get a head-start? I actually admire your enterprising attitude. However, also remember that TY is an opportunity to get involved in new things you may never get a chance to get involved in at any other stage.

I wish I had done more in TY, I just think I wasn't mature enough at the time and preferred to throw papers down the back of class instead of getting involved in the enterprise project or getting a cert in 1st aid or even getting a part-time job. You may never get a chance to do these things again.

Conaaaa

Well im doing these things and in spear time when im bored do biology my only problem is if its wasting my time like when i looked at monosaccharides and disaccharides at the start i was like whattttt but now i get it and ive notes on them and understand them.

Oisin4

I kinda wanna do this to I wonder could I find flashcards I could make out just so I won't have to go through the bother of making them out next year

Conaaaa

First few chapters are managable anyway so i think try it saves time like

DublinArnie

When I was in TY last year, I was enthusiastic and excited to do biology. I looked at many past exam papers and read books covering the material because I was generally interested in that stuff.

I wouldn't recommend making notes IF YOU DON'T understand it. You'll know if you understand it if you're able to answer questions.

Notes should be your own words and style, and you can only do that if you know the stuff.

Now I'm in biology, and scored straight A1s for all my exams so far.

Conaaaa

Yeah i wouldnt but with ecology and food its self explanatory really?!

DarraghFitz98

Any tips DublinArnie?

I'm doing Biology outside of school with the odd grind,thanks

TheEdgeofGlory

DarraghFitz98 wrote: »

Any tips DublinArnie?

I'm doing Biology outside of school with the odd grind,thanks

How do you find self studying Biology? Can't get into a Biology class at school due to the school being totally unreasonable about timetables and allocation(space) so I'm stuck at the back of a noisy Economics class studying it by myself. Haven't covered too much yet as the lack of assessment is frustrating and it's hard to concentrate whilst having to simultaneously listen to Economics being spewed out.

EoghanIRL

TheEdgeofGlory wrote: »

How do you find self studying Biology? Can't get into a Biology class at school due to the school being totally unreasonable about timetables and allocation(space) so I'm stuck at the back of a noisy Economics class studying it by myself. Haven't covered too much yet as the lack of assessment is frustrating and it's hard to concentrate whilst having to simultaneously listen to Economics being spewed out.

Request to study in a different area . School library , canteen area , empty or a different classroom .
Don't sacrifice your grades because of something you can easily change.

TheEdgeofGlory

EoghanIRL wrote: »

Request to study in a different area . School library , canteen area , empty or a different classroom .
Don't sacrifice your grades because of something you can easily change.

Trust me, the school most likely wouldn't facilitate that, as I have to be "supervised", and everything is my own fault as far as they're concerned . The teacher is pretty useless, highly abusive and aggressive and picks on a lot of the class, even me when I am not technically in her class!. It is very distracting though, un-nerving even, especially as I could be working away in an actual Biology class. What's your method for studying biology? I've been using a revision book and past exam papers mostly, referring to the text book for extra information if I need it.

DublinArnie

TheEdgeofGlory wrote: »

Trust me, the school most likely wouldn't facilitate that, as I have to be "supervised", and everything is my own fault as far as they're concerned . The teacher is pretty useless, highly abusive and aggressive and picks on a lot of the class, even me when I am not technically in her class!. It is very distracting though, un-nerving even, especially as I could be working away in an actual Biology class. What's your method for studying biology? I've been using a revision book and past exam papers mostly, referring to the text book for extra information if I need it.

I'd contact the Board of Management personally because your school fails to facilitate biology for you. Subject choices are life changing in a way, so this is a serious matter.

EoghanIRL

I don't trust anyone :cool:

You will never know if you don't ask . Perhaps approach someone reasonable in the school about it . Sitting somewhere else really isn't that big of an ask

Is there an option in your school to study during p.e class? That's what I used to do.

Anyway , in my opinion you should at least ask someone in the school to study somewhere else instead of ruling it out . What do you have to lose . Perhaps a teacher you are friendly with , your year head , tutor , mentor or principle . It should be in their best interest to help you .
Good luck

DarraghFitz98

TheEdgeofGlory wrote: »

How do you find self studying Biology? Can't get into a Biology class at school due to the school being totally unreasonable about timetables and allocation(space) so I'm stuck at the back of a noisy Economics class studying it by myself. Haven't covered too much yet as the lack of assessment is frustrating and it's hard to concentrate whilst having to simultaneously listen to Economics being spewed out.

I find it awful because I don't enjoy biology! Only doing it to cover me as a science subject and I'm doing OL maths so I wanted 7 HL subjects..does Geography count now as a science subject in most places?

TheEdgeofGlory

DarraghFitz98 wrote: »

I find it awful because I don't enjoy biology! Only doing it to cover me as a science subject and I'm doing OL maths so I wanted 7 HL subjects..does Geography count now as a science subject in most places?

Apparently in Trinity it is!

Conaaaa

Does homec count as a science too? I ffind that crazy.

DarraghFitz98

TheEdgeofGlory wrote: »

Apparently in Trinity it is!

Yay

EoghanIRL

TheEdgeofGlory wrote: »

I'm going to ask for the 4th time about whether there's a place for me in the Biology class after Christmas. I'd rather not cause a racquet as they aren't very supportive. I'll just have it get on with my self study Biology at the back of that dreadful Economics class. Hoping for a high grade in Biology anyway as it seems like a more straightforward science then Chemistry ( which and I do and honestly love).

I meant ask to switch from the back of the economics class to another classroom or somewhere like the library . As someone who does a lot of study , during the lc and now in college , I understand how difficult it is to get work done in a noisy disruptive environment . Can you study in the library / a different classroom instead ?

DarraghFitz98

TheEdgeofGlory wrote: »

No harm in asking I guess, but the authorities don't like you exposing anything wrong with the school or having an issue with something and I know this too well from past experience. Trust me you'd know if you were a student there that there's certain lines you don't cross!.

It's a pity that a students voice is so often ignored!

DarraghFitz98

TheEdgeofGlory wrote: »

Oh I could write a book about them!. Suppose you have to "respect" authority to get through the education system.

Now don't get me wrong I respect teachers and many of them do a great job! Some of them need to act as humans though and use common sense for the good of the students!

DarraghFitz98

Yeah I'm honestly thinking of starting a new account to give the full picture :P Shouldn't have used my name..

thelad95

DublinArnie wrote: »

I'd contact the Board of Management personally because your school fails to facilitate biology for you. Subject choices are life changing in a way, so this is a serious matter.

TheEdgeofGlory wrote: »

I appreciate you having the same concerns as me but unfortunately the school don't give a doss about student welfare and I don't think it would be taken seriously as I know from past experience they are defensive about their decisions.

I'm gonna be honest, you're situation regarding Biology is unfortunate but you're both coming across as quite immature here in your attitudes towards the situation. Every single school in the country is stretched for resources and they do their best to accommodate as many students as possible but sometimes due to timetable restraints and/or class sizes, they can't accommodate everyone. The reason they are 'defensive about their decisions' is that a lot of the time, they cannot be reversed.

@DublinArnie, the fact you've described LC subject choices as 'life-changing' is a perfect example of how much the Leaving Cert is over-hyped by some people. Getting a call at 4am on a Tuesday night telling you a family member has been killed in a road-collision is life changing. Being diagnosed with cancer is life-changing. Keep things in perspective.

@TheEdgeofGlory, this is not a student welfare issue, in fact I would seriously question your understanding of the term welfare if you think it is. Again, try keep things in perspective.

thelad95

DarraghFitz98 wrote: »

It's a pity that a students voice is so often ignored!

Not necessarily. When students complain about things to principals, they often do it with little back up or evidence. For example, a common occurrence in a lot of schools is students going to a principal saying 'X teacher is crap, please switch their classes'. How can the principal honestly help here? It's your word against the teachers. The principal may look at students previous exam records from X teachers class and they may be fine (possibly due to students doing grinds and/or putting in extra work themselves).

However, if you get a diary and record instances of how X teacher is crap or X teacher is a bully and get some classmates to sign it as witnesses, then the principal will be forced into action.

Troxck

DublinArnie wrote: »

I'd contact the Board of Management personally because your school fails to facilitate biology for you. Subject choices are life changing in a way, so this is a serious matter.

Leaving Cert subject choices are in no way life changing. The Leaving Cert is in no way life changing. It's an overhyped annual exam that works for some and not for others.

EoghanIRL

Troxck wrote: »

Leaving Cert subject choices are in no way life changing. The Leaving Cert is in no way life changing. It's an overhyped annual exam that works for some and not for others.

I would disagree . The course you get in college will determine your job oportunities in the future which ultimately decides a lot of things .e.g the people you will meet , friends you make , relationships , salary , lifestyle.

If you don't do a good leaving cert it limits what you can do . You can't do certain courses , you can't get certain jobs , your income will be limited. Explain to me how this isn't life changing ?

DublinArnie

Troxck wrote: »

Leaving Cert subject choices are in no way life changing. The Leaving Cert is in no way life changing. It's an overhyped annual exam that works for some and not for others.

If you do not do science subjects, and you want to do science related course at third level - how do you do that? Your lack of science subjects hinder your chances for science/medicine at third level.

Even engineering at most places require a pass at Higher Maths.

I see that as life changing, not being allowed what you want to study in life.

Daisy 55

Biology classes are limited to 24 students. So are other practical subjects. Not the fault of the school.
Also should be in class during class time.

Troxck

EoghanIRL wrote: »

I would disagree . The course you get in college will determine your job oportunities in the future which ultimately decides a lot of things .e.g the people you will meet , friends you make , relationships , salary , lifestyle.

If you don't do a good leaving cert it limits what you can do . You can't do certain courses , you can't get certain jobs , your income will be limited. Explain to me how this isn't life changing ?

There are many alternatives to getting a good LC. Of course, it's easier if you do get a good one but if you don't, there are options out there for people. If you base your life success on one terminal exam, fine. That's just not how I see it.

Troxck

DublinArnie wrote: »

If you do not do science subjects, and you want to do science related course at third level - how do you do that? Your lack of science subjects hinder your chances for science/medicine at third level.

Even engineering at most places require a pass at Higher Maths.

I see that as life changing, not being allowed what you want to study in life.

You can get into certain Engineering courses with Pass Maths. I agree with you, not keeping on a certain subject will hinder you at some stage but there are so many options after the LC. I know someone who didn't keep on subjects for Vetinary Medicine, did a PLC which eventually led to it. It took longer than they wanted but they got their ultimate goal.

thelad95

EoghanIRL wrote: »

I would disagree . The course you get in college will determine your job oportunities in the future which ultimately decides a lot of things .e.g the people you will meet , friends you make , relationships , salary , lifestyle.

If you don't do a good leaving cert it limits what you can do . You can't do certain courses , you can't get certain jobs , your income will be limited. Explain to me how this isn't life changing ?

There's so much naívety in this post, I don't even know where to begin. I just suggest you go have a talk with your guidance counsellor or parents if you honestly believe what you're saying here.

DublinArnie wrote: »

If you do not do science subjects, and you want to do science related course at third level - how do you do that? Your lack of science subjects hinder your chances for science/medicine at third level.

Even engineering at most places require a pass at Higher Maths.

I see that as life changing, not being allowed what you want to study in life.

If, for some reason, a school cannot accommodate a student from taking Biology or Chemistry which due to overstretched resources, happens all over the country, there is no reason why they cannot be pro-active and study it themselves or with the assistance of a grinds teacher or even switch schools. Get over this attitude of 'not being allowed what you want to study in life'. the LC doesn't matter once your eligible to apply as a mature student anyway. Sometimes, entry requirements are only thrown onto courses to narrow down the number of students eligible to apply.

It's unfortunate that some schools can't accommodate every student who wants to do science subjects. I think schools should give priority to students who have an intention to study science as many students take Biology as a 'points' subject.

However, both of ye need to learn that life isn't easy and not everything works out perfectly all the time. And please stop thinking the LC is the passport to life, it isn't.

DarraghFitz98

thelad95 wrote: »

Not necessarily. When students complain about things to principals, they often do it with little back up or evidence. For example, a common occurrence in a lot of schools is students going to a principal saying 'X teacher is crap, please switch their classes'. How can the principal honestly help here? It's your word against the teachers. The principal may look at students previous exam records from X teachers class and they may be fine (possibly due to students doing grinds and/or putting in extra work themselves).

However, if you get a diary and record instances of how X teacher is crap or X teacher is a bully and get some classmates to sign it as witnesses, then the principal will be forced into action.

I take your point. But do explain how one teacher I know (not thought by) that has been complained about by at least 20 students! The inspectors were in and the Principal got one lad who wasn't even in her class to make a presentation to cover up her poor teaching skills!

thelad95

DarraghFitz98 wrote: »

I take your point. But do explain how one teacher I know (not thought by) that has been complained about by at least 20 students! The inspectors were in and the Principal got one lad who wasn't even in her class to make a presentation to cover up her poor teaching skills!

I don't know whether you do LC business or not but you obviously don't understand how difficult it can be to prove incompetence and fire somebody. If the bit in bold is true, then you can be rest-assured the principal did that to cover himself.

DarraghFitz98

thelad95 wrote: »

I don't know whether you do LC business or not but you obviously don't understand how difficult it can be to prove incompetence and fire somebody. If the bit in bold is true, then you can be rest-assured the principal did that to cover himself.

I do LC business,but I must drop it seeing as I clearly don't understand..

You're living in a bubble LAD..teachers like this must be assessed more,how about a yearly review? If her students do poorly as they do on an annual basis,it must be looked into!

Unless of course it's the students fault as you may believe..

thelad95

DarraghFitz98 wrote: »

I do LC business,but I must drop it seeing as I clearly don't understand..

You're living in a bubble LAD..teachers like this must be assessed more,how about a yearly review? If her students do poorly as they do on an annual basis,it must be looked into!

Unless of course it's the students fault as you may believe..

I'm not living in a bubble, you are. The world doesn't revolve around your Leaving Cert. Can you please tell me where I said it's the students fault? Everyone in the Irish secondary school system gets crap teachers. There was an English teacher in my school who never finished MacBeth and only did 3 poets.

Look Darragh, I'm on your side, there are some horrific teachers in Ireland but there will always be students who end up working harder and/or getting grinds and end up with high grades, which can make the teacher look half-decent so if there was to be a review of their performance, nothing would show up.

DarraghFitz98

The world doesn't involve around my LC

But the quality of students coming out of our education does depend on the Leaving Cert,think of all the potential lost!

What about comparing one business class with another with a poor teacher?

Are you saying there would be no clue as to who the better teacher is?

DublinArnie

thelad95 wrote: »

If, for some reason, a school cannot accommodate a student from taking Biology or Chemistry which due to overstretched resources, happens all over the country, there is no reason why they cannot be pro-active and study it themselves or with the assistance of a grinds teacher or even switch schools. Get over this attitude of 'not being allowed what you want to study in life'. the LC doesn't matter once your eligible to apply as a mature student anyway. Sometimes, entry requirements are only thrown onto courses to narrow down the number of students eligible to apply.

It's unfortunate that some schools can't accommodate every student who wants to do science subjects. I think schools should give priority to students who have an intention to study science as many students take Biology as a 'points' subject.

However, both of ye need to learn that life isn't easy and not everything works out perfectly all the time. And please stop thinking the LC is the passport to life, it isn't.

Sorry if my attitude did indicate that 'doing well in the LC means instant success in life' ... I'm not a believer of that statement. It's obvious that many people are unemployed despite doing what they wanted to do after the LC.

Yeah, schools should assign subjects according to your future prospects, and if more people want to do biology rather than music, it'd be really unfair if biology students were to do music in school because space was full.

That's a waste of resources. Why would you give the teacher more hassle? The students who didn't want to do music, yet do it, are more likely to mess and be less productive in a class they don't want to be. The teacher would be pulling more hairs and all over the place, hence hindering the education of those who want to do music.

I know it's not possible to just squeeze another ten students into full class, but the school should acknowledge this and help the students who want to do biology. They could probably try another teacher to teach the subject (In my school, the PE teacher is also qualified to teach biology) if they have a free period. Maybe research a bit and make a deal with a local grinds school?

If the school can't offer something, it's not entirely the students' fault. THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING, but the school cannot follow through.

coolerboy

thelad95

DarraghFitz98 wrote: »

The world doesn't involve around my LC

But the quality of students coming out of our education does depend on the Leaving Cert,think of all the potential lost!

What about comparing one business class with another with a poor teacher?

Are you saying there would be no clue as to who the better teacher is?

Does it really? What were the point of the previous twelve years then?

Business is probably a poor example because you can pretty much teach it to yourself but unfortunately the grades may not be massively different because of the reason I mentioned above about students getting grinds and/or working harder.

DarraghFitz98

Not the leaving cert as in the exams but the whole learn process,without it students have nothing to aim for!

Let's face it all education prior to the leaving is geared towards the exams..

And what about people like me who can't afford grinds? We're just expected to get on with poor teachers?

Beca19

Regarding your first post, if you do the whole biology course before 5th year, it's possible you'll be extremely bored for the next two years and won't be bothered studying. It probably won't benefit you very much doing notes now because there could be some useful information that's not in the book but that your teacher can teach you, but you never know I guess!

And regarding all these other posts, @Thelad95, the leaving cert doesn't have to be the be all and end all, but yes it can definitely be life changing for a lot of people. It's getting increasingly harder, in this country especially, to get a high paid career without a degree. The amount of people who don't do a leaving and are going to go on to become super successful entrepreneurs or whatever is extremely small. Also not everyone who does a PLC will get into their desired course and lots of courses don't have PLC entry options. The places in mature entry courses can be extremely competitive (and also not everyone wants to wait 5 years after secondary before going to college) and post grads are very expensive. Also, not everyone can 'easily teach themselves' a leaving cert subject and a lot of people can't afford grinds and simply moving schools definitely isn't an easy option. The Leaving doesn't have to define your future but it does in a lot of cases and it is important.

dazzadazza

DarraghFitz98 wrote: »

I take your point. But do explain how one teacher I know (not thought by) that has been complained about by at least 20 students! The inspectors were in and the Principal got one lad who wasn't even in her class to make a presentation to cover up her poor teaching skills!

Do you by any chance go to a school in Carlow? I think you might be in my school and I might know what teacher you are talking about. Of course we won't mention any names.

Do You Even Squat

Troxck wrote: »

There's no point. You're probably just summarising something you don't 100% understand.

Wow. Just wow. Biology is just so dumbed down it's ridiculous. There is nothing to understand. It is so babyish in it's approach that anyone can pick up a book/revise wise in 6th year, put in a decent amount of work (ie 3-4 hrs a week) and come out with at least a B1. I love Biology but hate the subject. It goes into zero depth (which is understandable to a degree) in interesting topics, for example genetics. You get so frustrates when you see stuff like "rna polymerase forms bonds between the bases". You end up asking yourself questions such as: Why does it do that? What chemical property of the enzyme allows it to form the bonds etc etc. There are more clear cut examples that i cant think of which are even more annoying. /rant
Basically, dont bother making notes, study the day before the test and you'll be fine

Troxck

Do You Even Squat wrote: »

Wow. Just wow. Biology is just so dumbed down it's ridiculous. There is nothing to understand. It is so babyish in it's approach that anyone can pick up a book/revise wise in 6th year, put in a decent amount of work (ie 3-4 hrs a week) and come out with at least a B1. I love Biology but hate the subject. It goes into zero depth (which is understandable to a degree) in interesting topics, for example genetics. You get so frustrates when you see stuff like "rna polymerase forms bonds between the bases". Why does it do that. What chemical property of the enzyme allows it to form the bonds etc etc. There are more clear cut examples that i cant think of which are even more annoying. /rant
Basically, dont bother making notes, study the day before the test and you'll be fine

I don't study Biology so I cannot comment on the difficulty of the subject but from looking at my friend's books there seems to be a lot of detail. There isn't a lot of understanding but more rote learning, but there is still a lot to learn. The marking scheme seems pretty strict too so no room for waffle. "Basically, dont bother making notes, study the day before the test and you'll be fine" is terrible advice and a terrible approach to the LC, but if it works for you (I doubt it does), go for it!

DarraghFitz98

dazzadazza wrote: »

Do you by any chance go to a school in Carlow? I think you might be in my school and I might know what teacher you are talking about. Of course we won't mention any names.

PM me. :P

Magnate

Troxck wrote: »

I don't study Biology so I cannot comment on the difficulty of the subject but from looking at my friend's books there seems to be a lot of detail. There isn't a lot of understanding but more rote learning, but there is still a lot to learn. The marking scheme seems pretty strict too so no room for waffle. "Basically, dont bother making notes, study the day before the test and you'll be fine" is terrible advice and a terrible approach to the LC, but if it works for you (I doubt it does), go for it!

That advice might be a little exaggerated but it's not far off when it comes to biology.

For anyone considering doing it, don't touch a textbook there's far too much waffle. Either find notes that follow the subject syllabus religiously, or make them yourself. Each chapter can be summarised into a few pages of bullet points. The marking schemes are very specific so they're your best friend, especially in biology.

Here's a link to the syllabus. There's some notes in it already.

spurious

Magnate wrote: »

Either find notes that follow the subject syllabus religiously, or make them yourself.

This. The exam is on the syllabus, not the text books. People often forget that.

thelad95

Is there an argument that the SEC should start publishing standard textbooks for each subject (as is done in the UK) and stop the swinging mickey contest amongst private publishers who often publish books in a hurry to meet deadlines and without full comprehension of the syllabus?

spurious

thelad95 wrote: »

Is there an argument that the SEC should start publishing standard textbooks for each subject (as is done in the UK) and stop the swinging mickey contest amongst private publishers who often publish books in a hurry to meet deadlines and without full comprehension of the syllabus?

Not really. You mean one text book for the whole country? All the publishing companies (and their associated staff and all their political contacts) would have a fit.

Doing it the way they do it allows for different learning styles and circumstances etc.. I rarely used textbooks when I was teaching, mainly because of literacy problems many of my students had, but also because it left me free to teach in the way I wanted and cover things in a more interesting way than the books at the time did. I always preferred the 'learning through doing' rather than 'reading about' approach to history.

It's very easy if you come from a literate family background and have learned yourself by plodding through the textbook, to do the same when you are teaching. It requires a bit more ingenuity when the JC textbook is aimed at a reading age of 13 and the class in front of you are reading at 8 and below. Out the textbooks go and in come much more fun ways of learning, although it does require a lot of extra work from the teacher.

There is no rule saying anyone has to use a textbook, but it's just much easier for many people to do so. You also get people saying for at least one subject I was involved in 'There's no book!' as if that is a bad thing.

EoghanIRL

I'd have to say that the classes I found more enjoyable were the ones in which the teachers made an effort and used their own notes .
You can always tell the teachers who are genuinely interested in their students and in my opinion these are the best teachers

Troxck

EoghanIRL wrote: »

I'd have to say that the classes I found more enjoyable were the ones in which the teachers made an effort and used their own notes .
You can always tell the teachers who are genuinely interested in their students and in my opinion these are the best teachers

This is very true. I only ever use the Maths and Physics books for when we need example questions for homework. I don't even have books for Music. My history teacher believes underling the whole page then summarising a chapter is efficient learning, it really isn't and makes the class so incredibly boring.