12BIO

Level 2 - Biology

Course Description

The universe is vast. It has billions of galaxies, countless planets, and stars. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, has over a trillion other worlds but in one small corner of this vast and lonely space, lies a precious and amazing world. It contains something that, in all of our searching, we have found nowhere else: life!

If you love learning about living things and how they relate to each other, studying biology might be the right fit for you. Biology helps us to understand the living world and the ways in which the species function, evolve and interact. What is life? How did Earth get so many species? When did life on Earth begin? How is all life on Earth related? Why are humans so special? What is DNA? How does it all work? What is the biochemistry of life? 

Advancements in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and may other areas of biology have brought improvements in the quality of life and the exciting part is that there is still so much to discover. Our technologies have meant we have only just started to understand, so join us in the biology department at St Peter's to study the science of life. 

This course focuses on ecology, genetic variation and how it changes populations over time, how genes are expressed, and the cellular processes that are essential for life. Students will also continue to build on their scientific investigative skills.

Course objectives:

  • To develop an understanding of biological concepts
  • To develop problem solving and experimental skills
  • To apply biological concepts to everyday applications
  • To prepare students for the study of biology at higher levels

Pre-requisites

Students choosing this course are expected to have a minimum of Mostly at the expected level grades for year 11 biology or the biology components of the combined biology/chemistry course. Final entry is at the discretion of the Head of Faculty: science.

Course Specific Costs

$70 - photocopying, consumable materials and Education Perfect

Pathway

Careers opportunities are plentiful for example, health sciences, animal trainer, animal breeder, marine biologist, zoologist, veterinarian, athletic trainer, pharmacist, environmental scientist, genetic counsellor and many more.

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.

Total Credits Available: 19
Internal Assessed Credits: 7
External Assessed Credits: 12
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


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
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
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
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
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
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 19
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 11
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Disclaimer

Specific course content may change from what has been advertised in order to remain current and meet students' needs. 

The school has the right to make the best decision based on both staffing, and overall student interest, when preparing the final timetable.