13BIO

NCEA Level 3 Biology

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mrs L. Brown.

This course is aimed at students who wish to study biology in greater depth, and also wish to develop skills which will be important in studying biology at tertiary level.

The course could include:

- Animal and plant behaviour 

- Human evolution

- Patterns of speciation

- Biological investigation

- Maintaining a constant internal environment

- Socio-scientific research report

A student will be withdrawn from a standard if the teacher is not confident that the achievement of the standard is within the reach of the student or there is no evidence of the student attempting the assessment.

Course Overview

Term 1
Homeostasis - how organisms maintain a constant internal environment.
Plants and Animals - how organisms respond to the external environment
Practical Investigation - individual investigation into plant growth in response to environmental factors

Term 2
Plants and Animals - how organisms respond to the external environment
Speciation and/or Evolution - patterns of natural selection leading the formation of a new species with a focus on human evolution.

Term 3
Speciation and/or Evolution - patterns of natural selection leading the formation of a new species with a focus on human evolution.
Socio-scientific issue - students report on a current biological issue relevant to New Zealand (combined assessment with Health).

Term 4
Revision and exam preparation

Recommended Prior Learning

12 credits from level 2 achievement standard biology with at least 4 credits from external achievement standards.
12 credits from level 2 English 1 or English 2.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

Computer or 1B8 punched, ringbinder,1B5 or 1B8 ex. Book pencil, 30cm ruler, blue & black pens, highlighter
It is recommended that students purchase a SCIPAD learning workbook at approximately $20.00.

Credit Information

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

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

This course is approved for University Entrance.

Total Credits Available: 27 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 13 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 14 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91464 v2
NZQA Info
Health 3.4 - Analyse a contemporary ethical issue in relation to well-being
4
4
4
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91601 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance
4
4
4
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 2, Week: 2

A.S. 91602 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 3.2 - Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue
3
3
3
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 10

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

Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 5

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

Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 5

A.S. 91605 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation
4
4
4
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 5

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

Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 5

Credit Summary
Total Credits: 27
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 23
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 27

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.

Disclaimer

POLICY
It is the policy of Taupo-nui-a-Tia College to have school-wide policies that inform parents and students of the criteria for administering all Assessments for National Qualifications.

Credits listed may change.