This course requires 2 options.
Biology 3
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Brent Salmon.
- Gene editing using CRISPR Technology
- Thermoregulation during extreme sporting events
- Experiments on the heart rate of water fleas
- Animal behaviour and plant responses
- Human evolution
Course Overview
Term 1
Critical thinking and biotechnology. Students learn about cutting edge genetic editing tools and investigate whether we should be using these in New Zealand.
Biology experiments. Students investigate the effects of drugs on animal physiology by using microscopic water fleas and sea monkeys.
Term 2
Thermoregulation: Students learn how the body reacts during extreme sports events and how the body can keep itself from becoming too cool or too warm.
Animal behaviour and plant responses: Students learn the responses plants make to their environment and the behaviour of individual and groups of animals. Along the way you will learn and experience why you should always stay put if you get lost in a snowstorm.
Term 3
Animal behaviour and plant responses continued with a behind the scenes look at the zoo of how our closest relatives the chimipanzees are trained and cared for.
Human evolution: Discover the fascinating scientific story of how humans came to exist and the evidence behind it. Find out how our evolutionary history gives important insight into many contemporary human situations.
Term 4
Human evolution continued.
Prerequisites
If you did not take a pathway course at Level 2, or did not achieve 8 external credits in that course, you will need HOD approval.
There is a research component to this course so we strongly recommend a personal device that has a keyboard.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
$24 Materials; $40 Field Trip
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.
Course endorsement provides recognition for a student who has performed exceptionally well in an individual course.
Students will gain an endorsement for a course if, in a single school year, they achieve:
* 14 or more credits at Merit or Excellence, and
* at least 3 of these credits from externally assessed standards and 3 credits from internally assessed standards.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
For a full list of UE approved subjects, go here:
https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance/approved-subjects
External
NZQA Info
Biology 3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance
NZQA Info
Biology 3.2 - Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue
Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 5
NZQA Info
Biology 3.3 - Demonstrate understanding of the responses of plants and animals to their external environment
Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 8
NZQA Info
Biology 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment
Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 8
NZQA Info
Biology 3.6 - Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution
Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 8
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 19
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
Medicine, Nursing Technician, Technologist, Teaching, Marine Biologist, Zoologist, Veterinarian/Vet, Nurse, Bio-Chemist, Forensic Scientist, Acupuncturist, Personal Trainer/Exercise Professional, Registered Nurse, Agricultural/Horticultural Scientist, Agricultural Technician, Agricultural/Horticultural Consultant, Paramedic, Anaesthetist, Pathologist, Veterinary Nurse, Zoologist, Beekeeper, Aquaculture Farmer, Zookeeper, Marine Biologist, Arborist, Medical Physicist, Meat/Seafood Process Worker, Audiologist/Audiometrist, Microbiologist, Biochemist, Biotechnologist, Clinical Physiologist, Physician, Science Technician, Podiatrist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, General Practitioner, Gynaecologist/Obstetrician, Psychiatrist, Forestry Scientist, Health Services Manager, Radiation Oncologist, Ophthalmologist,