13BIO

Level 3 Biology

Course Description

Teacher in Charge:

Year 13 Biology continues to develop independent research and investigation skills.  There are no course prerequisites, however, this is a language dense topic and the ability to write reports is an advantage.  During the year students research a socio-scientific issue (an social issue that has a scientific origin, eg: the diabetes epidemic), begin to understand concepts relative to biotechnology (including a possible field-trip), gain greater depth of knowledge of how genes and variation impact evolution, and learn how our body maintains homeostasis.  

The study of Biology seeks to explain the nature of living things and their interrelationships, how evolution links life processes and ecology, and the impact that humans have on all forms of life. I In this course you will learn about how plants and animals respond to the living and non-living environment around them, the evolutionary processes leading to the formation of new species, and human biological and cultural evolution. As well you will learn about new advances in biotechnology, and carry out research into a socio-scientific issue. This course is an approved UE course.



Course Overview

Term 1
Week 1-5 AS91602 Research a Socio-Scientific Issue.

Week 6-10 AS91604 Demonstrate understanding of homeostasis.

Term 2
Week 1-5 AS91601 Practical Investigation runs concurrently with
Week 1-5 AS91607 Biotechnology

Week 6-10 AS91605 Processes that lead to speciation

Term 3
Week 1-5 AS91603 Animal Behaviour and Plant Responses

Week 6-10 AS91606 Human evolution

Term 4
Revision and exam practise followed by external exams.

Recommended Prior Learning

Year 11 Science, year 12 Biology, year 12 English or Maori or another language dense subject such as history.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

A write-on notes book will be required. A personal laptop or tablet is an advantage but not essential.
Level 3 Biology Externals sciPAD and the Level 3 Biology Internals sciPAD

Pathway

This course opens the pathway to a multitude of professions from farming (horticulture and agriculture) to a role in professional sports. A prerequisite for medical professions that require a university degree (including veterinary science).

Career Pathways

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: 26 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 13 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 13 credits.

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
4
4
4
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
3
3
3
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. 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
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
A.S. 91607 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 3.7 - Demonstrate understanding of human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications
3
3
3
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 26
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 22
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 26

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.