Tauranga Boys' College
This course requires 2 options.
Science - Level 3
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: J. Brewer
Science is the study of the physical, biological and chemical world around us.
Mostly Earth and Space systems.
A follow on from SCP2 and students who drop Level 3 Physics, Chemistry or Biology; OR students who would enjoy a L3 Science course.
Course Overview
Term 1
3.5 Atmospheric Systems (Ext)
This achievement standard involves demonstrating an understanding of processes in the atmosphere system. These processes include:
- atmosphere composition – gases, aerosols including clouds, gradients, temperature,
pressure, density
- atmospheric circulation
- convection cells - Hadley, Ferrel, Polar
- wind belts - Trade, Westerlies, Polar Easterlies, Doldrums
- Coriolis effect
- transport of matter and heat energy – water, gases, aerosols from volcanic eruptions
- cycles – water, carbon; biological pump and physical pump
- climate – global and regional trends – temperature, precipitation, weather.
Term 2
3.6 Astronomy (Int)
This achievement standard involves investigating an aspect of astronomy. An aspect of Astronomy could be:
- an event
- a discovery
- principles
- knowledge gained from space probes or telescopes.
3.3 Geological Dating (Int)
This achievement standard involves investigating the evidence related to dating geological event(s). This will include:
- Justifying how a range of key evidence contributes to the understanding of the dating
of the geological event(s)
- Explaining how the cross-correlation of the evidence contributes to the understanding
of the dating of a geological event(s).
Term 3
This term includes a field trip to the Waihi gold mine that forms the basis for the next two Internal assessments.
3.1 Practical Investigation
This achievement standard involves carrying out an independent practical Earth and Space Science investigation. It will involve:
- stating a purpose for the investigation
- developing a method that includes:
- the valid range for key variables
- how key variables are measured
- the management of other variables
- the control of potential sources of error
- the management of sampling bias
- the reliable collection of raw data
- collecting valid raw data consistent with the chosen method
- recording and processing raw data relevant to the purpose
- interpreting the processed data to draw a conclusion related to the purpose of the
investigation
- explaining how the Earth and Space Science links to the investigation
- explaining how the investigation method allowed for reliable data to be collected
- reporting on the investigation.
3.2 Socio-Scientific Investigation
This achievement standard involves investigating a socio-scientific issue in an Earth an Space Science context. A socio-scientific issue refers to a current issue in an Earth and Space Science context that has an impact on individuals and society. This will include:
- evaluating the issue and the impact on individuals and society
- justifying a personal response to the issue
- evaluating a societal response to the issue.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
$50 course related costs and field trips. There are four research-based internal standards for this course. It is strongly recommended that your IT device has a physical keyboard. Touchscreen only devises (Tablets, iPads etc...) will make these internals difficult.
Prerequisites
If you did not take a pathway course at Level 2, or achieved fewer than 14 credits in that course, you will need HOD approval. Must have NCEA level 2 to enrol in this course.
Credit Information
Total Credits Available: 20 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 4 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 16 credits.
External
NZQA Info
Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 5
NZQA Info
Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 7
NZQA Info
Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 10
NZQA Info
Assessments:
Term: 4, Week: 1
NZQA Info
Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 8
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.
Disclaimer
POLICY
It is the policy of Tauranga Boys’ College to have school-wide policies that inform parents and students of the criteria for administering all Assessments for National Qualifications.