About SSS3 Biology Scheme of Work
Biology, the science of life and living organisms offers deep insights into the natural world and its processes. In this final year of secondary school, SSS3 students learn about the complexities of life at various levels, from molecular biology and genetic inheritance to the principles of evolution and ecosystem dynamics. They also study the intricate systems that sustain human life.
The Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work for SSS3 is thoughtfully structured to provide a thorough understanding of advanced biological topics. This scheme of work covers a broad range of subjects, including genetics, evolution, ecology, and human physiology, all of which are vital for students’ academic growth and practical knowledge.
The Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work places a strong emphasis on practical skills, encouraging students to conduct experiments and make observations, thus fostering scientific thinking and problem-solving abilities.
The significance of SSS3 Biology is immense, particularly in relation to the WASSCE. A solid grasp of this subject is essential for achieving excellent scores in the examination, which is a stepping stone to higher education and numerous career opportunities particularly for students aiming for careers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, environmental science, biotechnology, and health-related fields
Assessment Guide
SSS3 students in Nigeria are assessed in Biology through continuous assessments and the WASSCE. Continuous assessments include class tests, assignments, oral presentations, projects, and class participation. The WASSCE consists of multiple-choice questions, essays, and practicals. These assessments evaluate a range of skills, ensuring holistic evaluation, skill development, preparation for higher education and careers, and identification of areas for improvement.
SSS3 First Term Scheme of Work for Biology
| LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION: UNIFIED SCHEMES OF WORK FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS | ||
| Biology Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools 3(SSS3) | ||
| Class | S.S.S 3 | |
| Subject | Biology | |
| Term | First Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| 1 | Regulation of internal environment I | 1. Homeostatic organs. Substance involved in homeostasis. 2. The kidney. The liver. The structure, functions and diseases of both liver and kidney. 3. Effects of kidney and liver diseases and their remedy. |
| 2 | Regulation of internal environment II | 1. Endocrine glands. 2. Hormones 3. Glands that secrete each hormone |
| 3 | Regulation of internal environment III | The skin. 1. Structure of the mammalian skin. 2. Functions of the mammalian skin. 3. Care of the mammalian skin. |
| 4 | Plant hormones. | Hormones in plant. (Auxin) 1. Mention plant hormones and their functions. 2. Mention the effect of auxin on lateral bud development, leaf fall and initiation of adventurous roots. 3. Modern application of auxin effect (NAA) with reference to early flowering crop harvest, and weed control (as selective weed kill dicotyledonous plants). |
| 5 | Nervous coordination I | 1. The organization of the nervous system, (a). Central nervous system. (b). Peripheral nervous system. 2. The brain position structure and function. 3. The spinal cord, structure, position and function. |
| 6 | Nervous coordination II | 1. P.N.S peripheral nervous system. – Somatic N.S – Autonomic N.S – Parasympathetic N.S – Sympathetic N.S 2. Structure and functions of a neuron- (motor sensory and relay neuron) – class types. 3. Reflex and voluntary actions (Pavlov (1910) experiment on dog, food and bell. |
| 7 | Sense organs I Sense organs II | 1. Organ of smell a). Mechanism of smelling. b). Adaptation of survival- animal that sniff for hunting e.g. dog- presences of chemoreceptor butterfly (insects) use antenna for sensing its environments. 2. Organ of taste (tongue Taste buds and part played in tasting. 3. Skin: sensory nerve endings, and receptor associated with the skin- touch – Deep pressure – Heat – Pain. 4. Structure of the ear and the function of its various |
| 8 | The mammalian eye | 1. Sight: The eye and its various parts. – Functions of the eye. – Part played by light – Image formation – Accommodation 2. Eye defects – Myopic short sightedness – hypermetropic long sightedness) – Astigmatism – Cataract -Night blindness 3. List how eye defects can be corrected |
| 9 | Ecology of population | 1. Succession i. Meaning of succession ii. Structural changes in species composition, varieties and increase in number iii. Primary succession – In aquatic habitat – In a terrestrial habitat iv. Secondary succession – Meaning – Examples v. characteristics of a stable community 2. overcrowding: i. Population density |
| Ecology of population (cond.) | studies vis-vis available resources ii. Importance of factor affecting population e.g. space 3. Relationship between competition and succession 4. Factors that may affect overcrowding e.g. increased mortality, reduced death rate, absence of predator 5. Discuss measures adopted by nature to avoid overcrowding e.g dispersal of seeds and fruits, migration of organism during unfavourable period, territorial behaviour in some organism e.g lizard 6. Discuss the effect of food shortage: – Competition – Reproduction – Emigration – Increase in mortality rate | |
| 10 | Balance in nature | 1. Factors affecting a population i. A biotic factors – Light – Space – Heat – Water etc. ii. Biotic factors e.g. competition intra and inter specific competition) mortality parasite and predator etc. 2. Dynamic equilibrium in nature and factors that maintain it. 3. Density independent factors like availability of food. 4. Density dependent factors e.g. Natural disaster – 3 family planning |
| 11 | Revision | |
| 12 | Examination | |
SSS3 Second Term Scheme of Work for Biology
| Term | Second Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| 1 | Reproductive system and reproduction in humans | 1. The reproductive system in male and female (Humans). i. Functions of its various parts. ii. Description of the various parts of both male and female reproductive system. |
| 2 | Female and male gametes in man | 1. Define fertilization describe the process of fertilization in man i. the structure of the male sperm cell-spermatozoa ii. The structure of an ovum (female egg cell). Fertilization: i. Fusion of gamete ii. Implantation iii. Development of embryo: – selective exchange between mother and child. – removal of excretory product from foetus iv. Survival conditions like food, oxygen, amniotic fluid, placenta umbilical cord. |
| 3 | Development of new seeds | 1. Progress of development of zygote in the flowering plant i. Pistil ii. Stem iii. Germ plasma iv. Fertilization 2. Germination of seeds i. Types of germination ii. Conditions necessary for germination. |
| 4 | Fruits | 1. Structure of fruits 2. Types of fruits 3. Dispersal of fruits and seeds 4. Agents of dispersal |
| 5 | Reproductive behaviours | Courtship behaviours in animals – Birds – Reptile – Lizard etc. – Courtship behaviour e.g 1. Paring 2. Territoriality 3. Display of colour and body parts 4. Seasonal migration. |
| 6 | Biology of heredity (genetics) | 1. Transmissive and expression of characters in organisms i. Hereditary vacation ii. Characters that can be transmitted and how they are transmitted iii. How character manifest from generation to generation 2. Chromosomes – The basis heredity i. Location of chromosome ii. Structure iii. Role and processes of transmission of hereditary characters from parents to offspring 3. Probability in genetics 4. Application of the principles of heredity i. In agriculture – Improved varieties – Disease resistant varieties ii. In medicine – For couples in relation to the sickle cell gene 5. Explain the terms – Cross fertilization – Self fertilization – Out and in breeding using men dehan crosses |
| 7 | Variation I | Variation and evolution 1. Morphological variation (physical appearance) which can be i. Continuous e.g. Size, height, weight) ii. Discontinuous e.g. a. Colour of eye, colour of skin, coat of animal, b. Finger prints 2. Physiological variation i. Behaviour ii. Ability to role the tongue iii. Ability to taste phenythio carbamide (PTC) iv. Differences in blood groups (A,B,AB, and O) |
| 8 | Variation II | 3. Application of variation i. Crime detection ii. Blood transfusion iii.. Determination of paternity |
| 9 | Evolution Adaptive colouraton Structural adaptations for survival | 1. The progressive changes in structure and anatomy of organisms using examples of features of organism from water to land 2. Structural adaptation. – Adaptive colouration and their function e.g. camouflage in chameleon, green snake in grass, bright colours of flowers to attract insects during pollination 3. Structural adaptation or obtaining |
| 10 | Behavioural adaptation | i. Food e.g. proboscis for sucking sap in insect ii. Protection and defense e.g. tortoise in shell. iii. Mimicry colour for securing mates for regulating body temperature etc. 4. Different castes of termite and bee and the roles they play in their social life – Theories of evolution according to i. Charles Darwin ii. Baptist de Lamar, – law of use and disuse law of inheritance or acquired characteristics (related to the work of August Weidman using the experiment of mating of mice |
| 11 | Revision | |
| 12 | Examination |
Recommended Biology Textbooks for Senior Secondary School 3
The recommended Biology textbooks for SSS3 include but are not limited to the following:
- Classic Practical Biology for Senior Secondary Schools by Nneka N. Ekechukwu – Metropolitan Publishers Ltd SS 1-3
- New Comprehensive Practical Biology with Alternative to Practicals and Specimen questions and answers for West African Senior Secondary schools by Emedo A. B. C et al
Think-Tank Educational Publishers SS 1-3
- New Comprehensive Practical Biology with Alternative to Practicals and Specimen Questions and Answers for West African Senior Secondary Schools by B. C Obidiwe
Mid-Field Publishers Ltd SS 1-3
- Modern Biology for Senior Secondary Schools (Based on the new NERDC, Curriculum for secondary schools) by Lucy .I. Akunwa, J.B.C Obidiwe
Africana First Publishers Plc SS 1-3
- Complete revision Biology for Senior Secondary Schools by Ngozi E. Agbasimalo PhD KAWURIZ AND MANILAS SS 1-3
