13BIO

Year 13 Biology (Level 3)

Subject Description

Head of Faculty: Mrs S. Boasman.

Biology at this level introduces students to the new world that is opening up in this subject. It explores DNA and how it works, the new techniques associated with DNA editing and genetically modified organisms. Other areas studied include plant and animal behaviour, homeostasis and human evolution.  


Subject Overview

Term 1
Homeostasis: Students learn how the body reacts to periods of extreme environmental conditions and how the endocrine and nervous systems work together to ensure that important internal factors are monitored and controlled so that they are kept within a specific range.
Animal behaviour and plant responses: Students learn about the responses plants make to their environment and the behaviour of individual and groups of animals.

Term 2
Animal behaviour and plant responses continued.
Investigation: Students plan and carry out an individual investigation into an aspect of plant responses or animal behaviour.

Term 3
Socio-scientific report: Students research and write a report on a current socio-scientific issue which involves the student to have a sound grasp of the biological concepts involved as well as an informed understanding of the reasons for it being a complex modern-day issue.
Human Evolution: Students discover the fascinating scientific story of how humans came to exist and the evidence behind it. They explore how our evolutionary history gives important insight into many contemporary human situations.

Term 4
Revision and preparation for examinations.

Prerequisites

Students should have passed 12 Level 2 credits in the Level 2 Biology course. (Merit in one of the externals and at least two of the three internal standards) 

Students taking Level 3 Biology and intending to follow a science career should also take another science. Many biological courses at tertiary level require knowledge of Level 2 Chemistry and above and so students are advised to continue to Level 3 Chemistry or study Level 2 Chemistry if they have not already done so.  

 

Career Pathways

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

Total Credits Available: 19
Internal Assessed Credits: 10
External Assessed Credits: 9
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91601 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91602 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.2 - Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91603 v3
NZQA Info

Biology 3.3 - Demonstrate understanding of the responses of plants and animals to their external environment


Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 5r,5w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91604 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91606 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.6 - Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution


Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 19
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 15
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 19

Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.