BIO2
This course requires 2 options.

Biology 2

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mr B. Salmon.

Biology is the study of living things and their interactions with each other and their environment.

  • Biochemistry experiments
  • Comparison of the nutrition of wild animals such as the crocodile, great white shark, blue whale etc
  • Ecology, falconry and pest control
  • Cell processes
  • Genetic variation
  • Gene expression


Course Overview

Term 1
Animal diversity. Students explore the diversity among living things in how they obtain nutrition and then compare animals of their choice which may include sharks, crocodiles, whales, humans, elephants, giraffes, turtles.

Biological experiment. Students learn how to carry out a biochemical experiment on osmosis in the laboratory.



Term 2
Ecology. Students learn how New Zealand's unique flora and fauna interact. Students get to experience some of New Zealand's rare taonga including the kokako and the karearea from the $50 and $20 notes respectively. They also get to see the ancient art of falconry in their own backyard.

Cell processes. Students learn about the processes happening in cells that keep all animals and plants alive. Students use microscope to examine our own cells and to investigate the myriad of microscopic life that is in our everyday life, but too small to see. Students examine their own DNA from inside their cells. Students will find out why they cannot sprint for 1500 metres.

Term 3
Genetic variation. Students learn how biodiversity is created and how the combination of our parents can lead to what makes us similar but different from either of them.

Gene expression. Students learn how the chemical instructions inside our body get transformed into blood and bone to make us who we are.

Term 4
Genetic expression continued.

Prerequisites

If you did not take a pathway course at Level 1, or achieved fewer than 8 credits externally in that course, you will need HOD approval.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

$24 Course Materials
$40 Field Trip Fee

Pathway

Career pathways include those in the sciences, medicine and sports.

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.

Total Credits Available: 23 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 12 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 11 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91153 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context, with supervision
4
4
4
4
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 2, Week: 2

A.S. 91155 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.3 - Demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants or animals to their way of life
3
3
3
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 4

A.S. 91156 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.4 - Demonstrate understanding of life processes at the cellular level
Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4w
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 8

A.S. 91157 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change
Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4w
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 8

A.S. 91158 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.6 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 2, Week: 7

A.S. 91159 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.7 - Demonstrate understanding of gene expression
Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 8

Credit Summary
Total Credits: 23
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 8
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Useful Links