NCEA Level 3 Biology
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Miss M. Ashford, Ms M. Vale.
The Level 3 Biology course enables students to gain an understanding of fundamental living world concepts to prepare them for further biological study at university. Students will use scientific evidence and develop critical thinking skills to link these observations to theory. The course introduces the biological evidence and ideas that explain how an organism’s responses provide a selective survival advantage in its niche, the evolutionary processes that lead to speciation, and trends in human evolution. Students will plan, conduct and report on a practical investigation, and through research, explain how and why a mammal maintains a stable internal environment despite fluctuating environmental conditions.
Course Overview
Term 1
The year starts with the 4-credit practical investigation internal where students individually plan, carry out, process and discuss the effect of agricultural chemicals on the heart rate of invertebrates. This involves the use of microscopes and the statistical analysis of the results.
Plant and Animal Responses is the first external standard taught, worth 5 credits. This looks at the different ways plants and animals respond to the living and non-living aspects of their environment and the survival benefit each response produces.
Term 2
The 3-credit homeostasis internal focuses on the human thermoregulatory system and how it responds to changing environmental conditions. This standard involves some research and the creation of a portfolio of information which students use during the completion of the written report.
Evolutionary processes leading to speciation is a 4-credit external that builds on from the Level 2 evolution theory and introduces the different ways that new species can be formed, and the patterns seen in evolutionary processes.
Term 3
Human evolution is the third external standard, worth 4 credits. It introduces the anatomical/skeletal differences between apes, human ancestors and modern humans in relation to diet, method of locomotion, tool making ability and speech. Students learn about trends in human biological and cultural evolution, as well as possible dispersal theories based on fossil and DNA evidence.
A trip to Auckland Zoo provides students with the opportunity to put their knowledge into action. They attend two lectures, one on the speciation and evolution of New Zealand’s’ native birds with a tour of the aviaries; the other on human evolution with a tour of the different primates.
Term 4
Revision for the end of year external examinations.
Recommended Prior Learning
It is recommended that students have studied NCEA Level 2 Biology.
Level 3 Biology is a vocabulary heavy, content rich course which is assessed via written reports or essay-based examination questions. The examination questions introduce evidence from a range of biological contexts that may not have been covered in class, students will need to analyse and use the relevant information to support their answer. High literacy and comprehension skills along with critical thinking skills are a significant advantage.
A personal device is highly recommended to support learning.
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.
External
NZQA Info
Biology 3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance
NZQA Info
Biology 3.3 - Demonstrate understanding of the responses of plants and animals to their external environment
NZQA Info
Biology 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment
NZQA Info
Biology 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation
NZQA Info
Biology 3.6 - Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 20
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.
Pathway Tags
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