Science

Introduction

The Science department aims to encourage students Forms 3, 4 and 5 to enjoy and excel at science. The Science course is balanced across the three main branches (Biology / Chemistry / Physics) in these first three years, and then students can choose to specialise in any or all of the three in Forms 5, 6 and 7.

The courses provide a solid background for students intending to further their education in science so they can enter careers where applying scientific principles and knowledge is necessary. The skilled and enthusiastic staff motivate students to ensure they gain a better understanding and appreciation of the world they live in.

Form 4 Science

Prerequisites: Form 3 Science. The Form 4 course is for all students in all Form 4 classes.

Course outline: Form 4 Science prepares students to study all individual Science courses in Form 5. There are 12 topics covered during the year. Students work from study guides as they did in Form 3. Each study guide contains the topic information students need to know and are examined on. The topics can be grouped as follows:

The Physical World: mechanics, electricity, waves
The Material World: chemical structure and bonding
Chemical Reactions, organic chemistry
The Living World: cell membranes and movement, ecology and inheritance
Planet Earth and Beyond: astronomy and Earth Science
The Nature of Science: introduction to safe laboratory practices

Methods of assessment: There is a one-hour examination in Term 1 that tests content from topics studied in Term 1 as well as Science skills from Form 3. The two-hour examination in Term 2 focuses on content from Term 2 but includes previously studied key Science skills and concepts. The two-hour examination in Term 4 focuses on the topic material studied in Terms 3 and 4 but will include skills reinforced throughout the year.

A coursework mark component in Terms 2 and 4 is derived from marks gained in topic tests, bookmarks, assignments, and projects.

All students begin the study of Pre-Q Science courses in Form 4. They are taught key concepts that are not covered in Form 5 schemes of work. Students are required to keep the Pre-Q study guides issued in Form 4 to assist with revision in Form 5.

Special equipment and costs: $23 for Education Perfect.

Continuation of subject: Science continues in Form 5 with a choice of six options:

NCEA Level 1 Science (a single option) – students in classes 5P and 5R
Pre-Q Triple Science – students in classes 5A-5D (a double option where students study all three Pre-Q Sciences. This option is challenging and is offered to academically able students keen on science)
Pre-Q General Science – offered to classes in 5J -5O (a single option science that prepares students for all four NCEA science at Level 2. Students who choose this subject may not also select the single sciences in Form 5)
Pre-Q Biology – students in classes 5A- 5O
Pre-Q Chemistry – students in classes 5A-5O
Pre-Q Physics – students in classes 5A-5O

Form 5

Prerequisites: Form 3 and Form 4 Science.

Course description/aims: This subject is an extension of science topics and skills taught throughout Form 3 and Form 4. This means many of the ideas have already been introduced and these ideas are further developed during the Form 5 courses. At this level the aim is to build a good foundation for students intending to continue with the specialist Sciences (Biology/Chemistry/Physics) in Form 6.

The Science courses offered at this level include:

NCEA Level 1 Science (a single option) – students in classes 5P and 5R
Pre-Q Triple Science (Biology / Physics / Chemistry as a double option) – students in classes 5A-5D. This option is challenging and is offered to academically able students keen on Science
Pre-Q General Science – offered to classes in 5J -5O (a single option science that prepares students for all four NCEA science at Level 2. Students who choose this subject may not also select the single sciences in Form 5)
Pre-Q Biology (a single option) – students in classes 5A-5O
Pre-Q Chemistry (a single option) – students in classes 5A-5O
Pre-Q Physics (a single option) – students in classes 5A-5O

Notes:

Students in classes 4A-4D can take Triple Science (STQ and STZ – 3three Sciences (BIQ/CHQ/PHQ) across two option lines) or up to two Science subjects (BIQ/CHQ/PHQ).
Students in classes 4E-4I can take up to three Science subjects (BIQ/CHQ/PHQ), although it is recommended that students select a maximum of two Sciences
Students in classes 4J-4N can take up to two Science subjects (BIQ/CHQ/PHQ) or they can take Pre-Q General Science
Students in classes 4O-4R can take NCEA Level 1 Science (SCI-L1), English and Mathematics and 3 option subjects

Continuation of subject: Students gaining pass grades in Pre-Q specialist single Science courses (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) can continue Science by opting in Form 6 to study:

NCEA Level 2 in any of the specialist Science disciplines; or
Specialist Cambridge AS Science courses (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) as long as they gain a minimum of 65% in each of 4 subjects in Pre-Q and at least 60% or better in each specialist Science course to be studied (note: 70% or better is recommended at Pre-Q for further study of any Cambridge AS Level Science course)

Form 5 (NCEA Level 1)

Description/aims: This is a compulsory subject for students taking NCEA Level 1. Students taking this course will take a range of NCEA Level 1 Achievement Standards from the Science Learning Area that will allow them access to any of the NCEA Level 2 courses in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science or Physics.

Course outline:

92022 – demonstrate understanding of genetic variation in relation to an identified characteristic [5 Credits, External]
92021 – demonstrate an understanding of a chemical reaction in context [6 Credits, Internal]
92047- demonstrate understanding of physics concepts using energy concepts [5 Credits, External]

Special equipment/costs: $23 for Education Perfect, $18 for workbooks.

Continuation of subject: NCEA Level 1 Science leads onto all four NCEA Level 2 Sciences. Students must have passed the externally assessed standards if they wish to continue studying Science in Form 6.

Form 5 Triple Science (Pre-Q)

Prerequisites:

Students must be in 4A to 4D and attaining at least 80% in Form 4 Science
Students who are in 4A to 4D who have not attained at least 80% in science must see the Head of Science for approval

Description/aims: This course covers all three Pre-Q Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). Due to the demanding nature of this course, it will only be offered to students in classes 4A-4D. Students sit separate School examinations in Terms 1, 2 and 4 to gain separate grades in each subject

Students gaining marks of at least 60% in the specialist Science subjects get automatic entry to a Cambridge AS course in that subject, assuming they have met the criteria of a minimum of 65% in each of four subjects in Pre-Q.

Methods of assessment: Internal assessment for Triple Science follows the separate Science formats for Biology, Chemistry and Physics with three examination sessions in Terms 1, 2 and 4.

Pre-Q General Science

Description/aims: This is a subject for students who would like to continue studying a general Science course in one option line that allows them to continue studying all of the NCEA Sciences at Level 2.

Course outline:

Biology units include characteristics of living organisms, cells, enzymes, nutrition, respiration, co-ordination and response, ecology.
Chemistry units include atomic structure and bonding, the Periodic table, acids, bases and salts, quantitative Chemistry, rates of reaction, enthalpy, and organic Chemistry.
Physics units include motion, forces, thermal Physics, waves, light, electricity, nuclear Physics, earth, and space.
Earth and Space Science units include atmosphere, oceans, and the solar system.

Continuation of subject: Pre-Q Science leads onto all four NCEA Level 2 Sciences. Students must take the individual Pre-Q Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and/ or Physics) if they wish to pursue the Cambridge pathway in Form 6.

Form 6 Earth and Space Science (NCEA Level 2):

Prerequisites: Form 6 Earth and Space Science is a course that is suitable as:

A complementary subject for students who have studied Geography in Form 5 and intend to study Geography in Form 6
A complementary subject for students who have studied one or more Science subjects (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) in Form 5 and intend to study a Science subject in Form 6
Students who are interested in studying Environmental or Earth Sciences at university.

Recommended achievement levels:

Students averaging over 55% in the final Form 5 School Geography and/or Science examinations (Biology / Chemistry / Physics) have an appropriate achievement level to study Level 2 NCEA Earth and Space Science
Students averaging less than 55% in the final Form 5 Geography and/or Science examinations (Biology / Chemistry / Physics) may find NCEA Level 2 Earth and Space Science difficult.

Course description/aims: Earth and Space Science (hereafter ESS) has three main dimensions:

ESS connects systems: ESS explores the interconnections between the geology, ocean, atmosphere, and life systems of the Earth. The flows and stores of energy and matter in the cycles of water, carbon, rock, and other materials are studied to understand how they continuously shape, influence, and sustain Earth and its inhabitants. ESS also explores the cyclical interactions between the earth, sun and the moon.

ESS investigates the major ocean currents that flow past New Zealand and the impact these, and other factors have on our weather and climate.

ESS explores the solar system and beyond: earth is dynamically linked with the solar system and the wider universe. ESS investigates the structure and composition of these systems and develops understanding of the vast distances and times involved.

Research, practical investigation and report-writing is a major focus of the course.

Course outline:

2.1 – Carry out a practical Earth and Space Science investigation [4 Credits, Internal]
2.4 – Investigate how organisms survive in an extreme environment [4 Credits, Internal]
2.5 – Demonstrate understanding of the causes of extreme Earth events in New Zealand [4 Credits, External]
2.6 – Demonstrate understanding of stars and planetary systems [4 Credits, External]
2.7 – Demonstrate understanding of physical principles related to the Earth System [4 Credits, External]

Special equipment and costs: $25 for a course workbook and $23 for Education Perfect. Field work will form part of a teaching programme, but its nature may vary between classes depending on the topics being taught.

Continuation of subject: Earth Science is offered at NCEA Level 3.

Form 7 Earth and Space Science (NCEA Level 3)

Prerequisites: Form 7 Earth and Space Science is a course that is suitable as:

A complementary subject for students who have studied Geography in Form 6 and intend to study Geography in Form 7
A complementary subject for students who have studied one or more Science subjects (Biology / Chemistry / Physics) in Form 6 and intend to study a Science subject in Form 7
A subject for students who have studied one or more Science subjects in Form 6 but are looking for an alternative in Form 7
Students who are interested in studying Environmental or Earth Sciences at university.

Recommended achievement levels:

Students averaging over 55% in the final Form 6 School Geography and/or Science examinations (Biology / Chemistry / Physics) have an appropriate achievement level to study NCEA Level 3 Earth and Space Science
Students averaging less than 55% in the final Form 6 Geography and/or Science examinations (Biology / Chemistry / Physics) may find Form 7 (NCEA Level 3) Earth and Space Science difficult.

Course description/aims: Earth and Space Science (ESS) has three main dimensions:

ESS connects systems: ESS explores the interconnections between the land, ocean, atmosphere, and life of our planet. These include the cycles of water, carbon, rock, and other materials that continuously shape, influence, and sustain Earth and its inhabitants. ESS also explores the cyclical interactions between the earth, sun and the moon.

ESS explores how New Zealand has been shaped by its location: New Zealand straddles the boundary between two major tectonic plates. ESS scientists, and students who study ESS, investigate how this precarious location has impacted (and continues to impact) on New Zealand’s geology and landforms, sometimes in dramatic ways. ESS investigates the major ocean currents that flow past New Zealand and the impact these, and other factors have on our weather and climate.

Research, practical investigation and report-writing is a major focus of the course.

Course outline:

3.1 – Carry out an independent practical Earth and Space Science investigation [4 Credits, Internal]
3.3 – Investigate the evidence related to dating geological event(s) [4 Credits, Internal]
3.4 – Demonstrate understanding of processes in the ocean system [4 Credits, External]
3.5 – Demonstrate understanding of processes in the atmosphere system [4 Credits, External]
3.6 – Investigate an aspect of astronomy [4 Credits, Internal]

Continuation of subject: Earth Science is taught by Science Faculties, usually as part of Environmental Science. It is also a useful foundation for the study of Geography in Arts Faculties.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our staff today.

Science

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