Department of Biology
Biology is the science of life. With the availability of today’s powerful techniques in molecular biology, cell biology and genetics, the pace at which new discoveries are made has accelerated dramatically. A new discovery in the research laboratory ca lead to the development of a life-saving drug or new diagnostic procedure. Medicine and the monitoring and preservation of the natural environment all depend fundamentally upon the work of the biologist, the geneticist and the biochemist.
The Biology Department at Rabindranath Tagore Secondary school is complete in itself with two fully equipped laboratories ready to accumulate A-Level biology students for all practical investigations. New and sophisticated apparatus such as colorimeter, centrifuge, electrophoresis kit are available at the disposal of students. There is a separate preparation room for the store and preparation of chemicals. New and latest models of microscopes ensure that students are given the best possible facilities to prepare for exams. Media such as overhead projectors and LCD projectors are readily for projection presentations and biological animations and movies.
The biology labs are located in the science block with a beautiful garden in front of it. Since last year we the biology department is rearing an iguana which makes the centre of attraction of the whole school population. The garden is full of a diversity of plants which are often used as examples in biology classes. At the back of the labs we also possess a small agricultural garden where mini biological field experiments are carried out. Staff in the Biology Department We are a lively staff comprising of 4 teachers all of them, two of them post graduates and two graduates. A permanent lab attendant ensures that practical work go on smoothly.
The staff profiles are as follows: Head of Department: Mr V. Ramloghun [BSc, MPhil] Mr Murden [BSc] Mr R. Persand [BSc, MPhil (pending)] Miss Ghallu [BSc] Performance at SC ‘O’ Level Till date the Biology department has sent two batches of students for the years 2006 and 2007 comprising of a total of 130 students. The percentage of pass is 100 with 15 students scoring distinctions. Extra curricular activities Each the biology students participate in INNOVED and CATS competition organized by the MOE, Science Challenge organized by the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre and Powerpoint presentation competition organized by the Ministry of Sports. Students are brought to nature reserves such as Bras D’Eau, Macchabe, Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, Roche Noire rocky shore for ecological investigations. Students also visited post mortem labs view the dissection of a human corpse.
Each year teachers accompany students to various seminars concerning science subjects held throughout the island. Achievements In 2006 the Form V Biology students won the Trophy at the Regional Level in AIDS Powerpoint Presentation. In 2007 Students won the First prize in the Debate competition organized by the Blood Donors Association. Why study Biology? The acquisition of factual material and practical skills forms only part of our biology course. We think it is important that students develop a range of skills which will be of great use to them in their subsequent career and which are sought after by employers.
We provide an environment in which students can learn how to organize knowledge, how to judge its value and how to identify problems, how to gather the necessary new information to solve these problems and how to communicate the results effectively. We see students not just as consumers of knowledge but as assessors and producers of knowledge: we believe that Biology makes a good vehicle for developing these transferable skills. For example, practicals provide an ideal situation for you to learn not only about biology, but also about collating and interpreting data, how to fins effective solutions to problems and how to record and report your findings clearly and concisely. Our courses are designed so that these skills are developed from simple beginnings; arriving at A-level students will be capable of carrying our original, independent theoretical and practical work in the form of projects.
University Degrees requiring Biology Biology, Medical Science, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Physiotherapy, Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering, Nursing, Marine Biology, Bioinformatics and many more. Job prospects with Biology Educator Lecturer Lab technician Technical Officers Medical Doctors Physiotherapist Pharmacist Medical representatives Research Officers Occupational Health Inspectors Nursing Officers Agronomist Molecular biologist Microbiologist All jobs in biotechnology Ecologist Marine biologist Plant physiologist
