Overview
The StemCo syllabus is inspired by the Singapore education curriculum. Singapore is known for its excellence in PISA tests for both Sciences and Mathematics for the last few years. Results from PISA indicate the quality and equity of learning outcomes attained around the world. By adopting the Singapore education curriculum as a reference, StemCo provides an opportunity for students globally to learn from one of the best practices of education in the world.
Our approach prioritizes understanding, application, and analysis of scientific and mathematical concepts over rote memorization of factual material. This shift in focus is intentional, recognizing the need for students to develop skills with long-term value in an increasingly technological world. Rather than concentrating on large volumes of factual information with limited short-term relevance, StemCo emphasizes critical thinking and practical application of learned concepts.
Categories and Exam Format
This document outlines the syllabus for each StemCo Biology category. The corresponding international grade levels and their Singapore grade-level equivalents are provided below for reference. All categories are assessed entirely through Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
| Category | International Grade Level | Singapore Grade Level Equivalent | Number of Questions (MCQ) | Exam Duration (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singa Junior | 9-10 | Secondary 3-4 | 40 | 120 |
| Singa Senior | 11-12 | Junior College 1-2 | 40 | 120 |
Syllabus
The StemCo syllabus is designed to cover essential areas and concepts crucial for a holistic understanding of subjects. While it provides a general framework for the topics featured in StemCo competitions, it is not intended to be exhaustive or overly detailed. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for students that encourages deep comprehension and real-world problem-solving, preparing them for future success in dynamic and unpredictable environments.
The syllabus includes a category called "Others" for concepts that don’t fit into the main topics. This section may include questions about recent advancements, trends, and discoveries related to the subject area, designed to be inspiring. Questions in this category can also be more advanced.
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Cells | Organelles (Grade 7-8 + Mitochondria, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Body & Ribosomes - Functions & Identification), Specialized Cells e.g., Neurons, RBCs |
| Biological Chemistry | Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins, (including Benedict’s Test, Ethanol, Starch, Biuret Solution), Enzymes, Diffusion, Osmosis, Active Transport |
| Digestive System | Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Anus etc.; Enzymes (Lipase, Amylase etc.), Intestinal Peristalsis, Villus, Alcoholism |
| Circulatory System | Blood Vessels, RBCs & A/B/O Types, Transfusions, WBCs, Platelets, Plasma, Cardiac Cycle, Heart Disease |
| Respiratory System | Lungs (Bronchioles, Alveoli etc.), Trachea, Diaphragm, Cilia, Ribs, Intercostal Muscles, Tobacco Smoke |
| Urinary System | Bladder, Kidney & Nephrons, Ultrafiltration, Dialysis |
| Homeostasis | Body’s Thermostat, Hypothalamus, Endocrine Glands, Hormones, Insulin, ADH, Nervous System, Eyes |
| Ecology | Photosynthesis, Respiration, Transpiration, Translocation, Food Chains, Energy Flows, Pollution |
| Infectious Diseases | Bacteria (Pneumococcus), Viruses (Influenza), Vaccine |
| Molecular Genetics | DNA & Base Pairs, Proteins, Mitosis, Meiosis, Genes & Alleles, Chromosomes, Natural Selection, Inheritance |
| Others | ... |
| Areas | Concepts |
|---|---|
| Cells | Cell Theory, Fluid-Mosiac Model, Organelles (Functions & Identification - Electron Microscope Included), Stem Cells, Bacteria, Viruses, Enzymes, Monomers (e.g., α/β- Glucose, Glycerol etc. & Bonding), Bio-Molecules (e.g., Cellulose, TG), Processes (Osmosis, Exocytosis etc.) |
| Molecular Genetics | DNA - Structure & Function, Central Dogma, Genomes (Viral, Prokaryotic, Eukaryotic), Antigenic Shift & Drift, Gene Expression & Regulation; F-Plasmids, Lab Techniques - PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, Southern Blot |
| Inheritance | Gene Mutation & Chromosomal Aberration, Mitotic & Meiotic Cell Cycle, Cancer, Tumor-Suppressor & Proto-Oncogenes, Genotype & Phenotype, Genetic Diagrams, Dihybrid Crosses, Loci & Epistasis, χ2-Tests |
| Energy | Photosynthetic Pigments (& Absorption Spectra), Calvin Cycle, ETC, Glycolysis, Link Reaction, Krebs Cycle, Cell- Signalling, Oxidative Phosphorylation, Chemiosmosis |
| Neo-Darwinism | Evolution, Natural Selection, Variation, Allopatric & Sympatric Speciation, Phylogeny, Hardy-Winberg Model |
| Infectious Diseases | Adaptive & Innate Immunity, Antibodies, Somatic Recombination, Class- Switching, Hyper-Mutation, HIV & Influenza, Vaccination, Tuberculosis, Antibiotics, R0 |
| Climate Change | Anthropogenic Impacts, Mangrove Ecosystems, Impact on Biodiversity, Medicines & Food Supply, Mosquito- Borne Infectious Diseases (Dengue & Malaria) |
| Others | ... |
