3SBIO

NCEA Level 3 Biology

Course Description

Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Miss M. Ashford.

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. A fieldtrip to the Miranda Shorebird centre allows students to experience first-hand the preparation and perils of migration.

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.

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: 20 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 13 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 7 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. 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

Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

4
4
4

This course offers the following optional standards, which will be agreed upon in consultation with your teacher.

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
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 20
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 16
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

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.