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Biology

Jump to: Pre-Q | NCEA Level 2 | AS Level | NCEA Level 3 | A2 Level

Introduction – why study Biology?

Biology is a dynamic subject that dominates Science coverage in the media. It addresses key concepts that everybody should understand, such as how the human body works, human impact on the Planet, and how life evolved.

The aim of the Biology Department is to instil a desire to understand and question the complexities and workings of the natural world.

Biology opens the door to careers in academic research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, conservation, and environmental monitoring. It is also commonly a prerequisite for medicine, veterinary, and nursing applications.

Form 5 (Pre-Q)

Prerequisites: The Pre-Q is a two-year course and will test all the topics covered in both the Form 4 and Form 5 Biology Syllabus.

This knowledge will be taught as part of the Science course covered by all students in Form 4. The topics covered in Form 4 are:

  • Cell Membranes and movement of molecules
  • Ecology
  • Inheritance

Course description/aims: 

  • Characteristics and classification of living organisms
  • Organisation of the organism
  • Movement in and out of cells
  • Biological molecules
  • Enzymes
  • Plant nutrition.
  • Human nutrition
  • Transport in plants.
  • Transport in animals
  • Diseases and immunity
  • Gas exchange in humans
  • Respiration
  • Excretion in humans
  • Coordination and response
  • Drugs
  • Reproduction
  • Inheritance
  • Variation and selection
  • Organisms and their environment
  • Biotechnology and genetic engineering
  • Human influences on ecosystems

Methods of Assessment: School examinations:

  • 1 x 1-hour examination – end of Term 1
  • 1 x 2-hour examination – end of Term 2
  • 1 x 3-hour examination – end of Term 4 (Pre-Q)

The final examination will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions (45 mins), 80 marks of short answer questions (1 hour, 15 mins) and 40 marks based on experimental skill questions (1 hour). These will all be sat as part of a 3-hour examination during Term 4.

Special equipment and costs: There is no special equipment required for the study of Pre-Q Biology. There is a workbook that accompanies the course; the cost of this book is $15.

Continuation of subject: Students who achieve a raw mark of 55% or over, in Pre-Q Biology will be able to follow the Cambridge AS Level course in Form 6.

Form 6 (NCEA Level 2)

Prerequisites: None. Students should have 40% or above, in Pre-Q English, or at least 10 credits in Level 1 English, as Level 2 Biology requires interpretation, explanation, and discussion.

Course description/aims:

  • 91153 – Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context, with supervision [4 Credits, Internal]
  • 91155 – Demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants or animals to their way of life [3 Credits, Internal]
  • 91156 – Demonstrate understanding of life processes at the cellular level [4 Credits, External]
  • 91157 – Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change [4 Credits, External]
  • 91160 – Investigate biological material at the microscopic level [3 Credits, Internal]

Methods of assessment:

  • Eight external credits will be assessed in a 3-hour examination. During the examination, candidates are recommended to spend 90 minutes on each of the two assessments being examined
  • A total of 10 internal credits are offered; these will be assessed during the year
  • It is recommended that students look at each of the Achievement Standards in detail (on the NCEA website) prior to choosing Level 2 Biology

Special equipment/costs: There is no special equipment required for the study of Level 2 Biology. A SciPad workbook ($25), and an AME examination revision workbook ($20) will be required.

Continuation of subject: The course acts as good preparation for NCEA Level 3 Biology.

Form 6 (AS)

Prerequisites: Students who gain a mark of at least 55% in Pre-Q Biology can gain entry to this course. Students who have obtained a mark of less than 55% in Pre-Q Biology will only be accepted at the discretion of the Head of Biology.

Recommended achievement levels: It is recommended that students will also have Pre-Q Chemistry to at least 50%.

Course outline: Form 6 students entering Cambridge AS course sit the first half of the A Level course. The topics covered are:

  • Cell structure
  • Biological molecules
  • Enzymes
  • Cell membranes and transport
  • Mitotic cell cycle
  • Nucleic acids and protein synthesis
  • Transport in plants.
  • Transport in mammals
  • Gas exchange and smoking
  • Infectious disease
  • Immunity

Methods of assessment: Form 6 students entering Cambridge AS Level Biology sit three external papers as follows:

  • Paper 1 – Multiple choice questions [1 hour 15 mins, 40 marks, worth 31% of the Cambridge AS mark]
  • Paper 2 – Structured questions [1 hour 15 mins, 60 marks, worth 46% of the Cambridge AS mark]
  • Paper 31/32 – Advanced practical examination [2 hours, 40 marks, worth 23% of the Cambridge AS mark]

Special equipment/costs: Cambridge AS students will need purchase the practical workbook for $20.

Continuation of subject: Cambridge AS is the first part of a two-year A Level.

Form 7 (NCEA Level 3)

Prerequisites: None

Recommended achievement levels:

  • If students did not take NCEA Level 2 or Cambridge AS Biology in Form 6, it is expected that they will find Form 7 Biology challenging
  • 50% or above in Pre-Q English or at least 10 credits in Level 1 English is recommended as NCEA Level 3 Biology requires interpretation, explanation and discussion

Course description/aims:

  • 91601 – Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance [4 Credits, Internal]
  • 91603 – Demonstrate understanding of the responses of plants and animals to their external environment [5 Credits, External]
  • 91604 – Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment [3 Credits, Internal]
  • 91605 – Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation [4 Credits, External]
  • 91606 – Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution [4 Credits, External]

Methods of assessment:

  • The external credits will be assessed in a 3-hour examination. Candidates are recommended to spend an hour on each of the three assessments being examined
  • A total of 7 internal credits are offered; these will be assessed during the year
  • It is recommended that students look at each of the Achievement Standards in detail (on the NCEA website) prior to choosing Level 3 Biology

Special equipment/costs: There is no special equipment required for the study of Level 3 Biology. A SciPad workbook ($25), and an AME examination revision book ($20) will be required.

Continuation of subject: Level 3 Biology provides students with the ability to continue the subject at a tertiary education level. Courses include agriculture, biotechnology, ecology, genetics, neurobiology, horticulture, food science, marine biology, medicine, nursing, conservation, and the environment.

Form 7 (A2)

Prerequisites: Students cannot enter for the A2 (the second half of the A Level) paper unless they have gained at least a C grade in AS in Form 6. Students who have obtained a D grade in AS may be allowed entry into A2 Biology at the discretion of the Head of Biology.

Course outline:

  • Energy and Respiration
  • Photosynthesis
  • Homeostasis
  • Control and Coordination
  • Inherited Change
  • Selection and Evolution
  • Biodiversity, Classification and Conservation
  • Genetic Technology
  • Biodiversity and Conservation

Methods of assessment: Candidates will sit two examination papers:

  • Paper 4 – Structured questions [2 hours, 100 marks, worth 38%]
  • Paper 5 – Planning Analysis and Evaluation [1 hour 15 mins, 30 marks, worth 12%]

The A Level comprises of:

  • Paper 1 (15%)
  • Paper 2 (23%)
  • Paper 3 (12%)
  • Paper 4 (38%)
  • Paper 5 (12%)

Special equipment/costs: A2 students are required to purchase the practical workbook for $25.

A Field Trip to the bird conservation island of Tiritiri Matangi occurs during Term 1. This excursion covers essential curricular content and includes elements of Mātauranga Māori. The cost is $30 (transport / Guide contribution). 

Continuation of subject: A2 Biology provides students with the ability to continue the subject at a tertiary education level. Courses include agriculture, biotechnology, ecology, genetics, neurobiology, horticulture, food science, marine biology, medicine, nursing, conservation, and the environment.

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

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