Fraser High School
Biology - NCEA Level 2
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Mrs J. Healy.
Do you want to learn more about how living things function and survive? Are you considering a career in Biology or Health?
This Biology course digs deeper into the inner workings of living things, including both cellular biology and genetics.
You will have the opportunity to carry out a range of practical investigations, including the use of microscopes, into cellular biology, animal physiology, and genetics.
There are opportunities to gain up to 10 internally assessed credits throughout the year through investigation work. Three of the internally assessed credits can count towards your Level 1 Literacy requirement and four can be counted towards your Level 1 Numeracy requirement.
Biology is a literacy-rich course and the externally assessed standard, Cellular Life Processes, worth four credits, can also be counted towards your University Entrance Literacy (Writing) requirement.
This course leads to Level 3 Biology which is an approved subject for University Entrance and is strongly recommended if you are considering a career in Health, including nursing, midwifery, and medicine, or Veterinary Science, as well as many other tertiary learning and career pathways.
Course Overview
Term 1
In Term 1, we start our learning journey by reviewing the fundamental conditions of life and investigating how specific adaptations enable animals to live successfully within their niche.
This learning addresses two internally assessed standards. The first is an investigation into the different structural and chemical adaptations of animals which help them to carry out vital life processes and survive in their niche. This standard is worth three credits.
The second standard is a four credit practical investigation focusing on the human cardiovascular system which will be completed in Term 2.
Term 2
In Term 2, we expand our focus to investigate the smallest unit of life, cells, and investigate life processes at the cellular level. We will carry out a range of investigations to explore key biological ideas which support cellular life processes throughout both Term 2 and Term 3.
Term 3
The learning started in Term 2 will continue throughout Term 3 and will address two standards. The first is an externally assessed standard about key cellular life processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and cell division. This standard is worth four credits and is formally assessed in the NZQA examinations in November.
The second is an internally assessed standard for three credits, focused on developing our microscopy skills by investigating plant cells and unicellular organisms such as Paramecium. This unit has a major practical component using our light microsopes to view microscopic material.to mammalian biology and carry out a range of investigative learning into mammalian physiology, or body systems and will be completed in Term 4.
Term 4
In Term 4 we will aim to complete our microscopy standard and revise in preparation for the final NZQA examinations.
If you successfully complete this course, you will gain up to 14 credits towards your NCEA Level 2 qualification. If you gain at least 14 credits at Achieved, Merit, or Excellence, you can also gain a course endorsement for Level 2 Biology.
Recommended Prior Learning
An interest in the living world and reasonable literacy and numeracy skills will be supportive to your learning and achievement. If you have gained 12 or more credits in Year 11 Science or Biology, this will be an advantage.
Pathway
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.
Total Credits Available: 14 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 4 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 10 credits.
External
NZQA Info
Assessments:
Term: 2023-11-07, Week: 2023-11-07
NZQA Info
Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines
Assessments:
Term: 2023-11-07, Week: 2023-11-07
NZQA Info
Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines
Assessments:
Term: 2023-11-07, Week: 2023-11-07
NZQA Info
Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines
Assessments:
Term: 2023-11-07, Week: 2023-11-07
Pathway Tags
Acupuncturist, Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor, Registered Nurse, Agricultural/Horticultural Scientist, Agricultural/Horticultural Consultant, Paramedic, Anaesthetist, Pathologist, Veterinary Nurse, Zoologist, Beekeeper, Chemist, Aquaculture Farmer, Zookeeper, Marine Biologist, Arborist, Medical Physicist, Meat/Seafood Process Worker, Audiologist/Audiometrist, Microbiologist,
Useful Links
WEB83, Rendered 3.78MB in 0.0535 seconds with 20 queries.
