Level 3 Biology
Course Description
Head of Faculty/Teacher in Charge: Mr T. Hill.
Year 13 Biology typically covers advanced topics that build upon the foundational knowledge gained in earlier years of Science and L2 Biology. This course covers a variety of topics, each designed to deepen students' understanding of living organisms and the processes that sustain life.
Overall, Year 13 Biology is a valuable subject that opens up numerous academic, career, and personal development opportunities, making it a worthwhile choice for many students.
You will develop skills such as critical thinking, Laboratory methods, and research skills through the following topics:
• Investigating a biological issue that affects New Zealand society.
• How humans maintain constant internal conditions such as body temperature (Homeostasis).
• A practical Biological investigation.
• Evolutionary processes leading to speciation.
• Human Evolution
Course Overview
What is taught in courses varies from year to year. This course could include:
• Investigating a biological issue that affects New Zealand society. This is a research topic looking at the issue of Type 2 Diabetes in New Zealand.
• How humans maintain constant internal conditions such as body temperature. This topic looks specifically at Thermoregulation in the human body and how the human body copes with extremes of temperature.
• A practical Biological investigation. This Biological investigation looks at how slators respond to a range of temperatures. You will plan and run an investigation to gather data and produce a report on your findings.
• Evolutionary processes leading to speciation. In this topic, we look at the range of processes that can lead to the formation of new species. We use New Zealand species for examples where possible.
• Human Evolution. This topic examines human ancestors' biological and cultural evolutionary changes that have led to today's human population.
Recommended Prior Learning
To be accepted for this course students must have 12 or more credits in L2 Biology at the time of course selection. This must include at least Achieved in one Level 2 External Derived Grade Exam, or HOF/TIC (Head of Faculty/Teacher In Charge) approval.
Any student taking two or more courses that require significant time away from school (such as Outdoor Education, Dual Enrolment, or Gateway) may find it difficult to cope with the demands of this course. In this case, entry will be subject to an interview with the HOF Science.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
• Biozone workbook (stationery list)
• Computer
• Stationery for note-taking
A write-on workbook covers the external topics taught and gives good practice questions for the Achievement Standards.
Assessment Information
A.S. 91601 v2: This requires students to plan and run a biological investigation and produce a reportA.S. 91602 v2: This is a research topic and students write a report.
A.S. 91604 v2: Students learn about thermoregulation in class and then use what they have learned to write a report about an athlete subjected to a range of different weather conditions during a race.
A.S. 91605 v2: This topic is taught in class and assessed at the end of the year as an external. There will also be an end-of-topic test.
A.S. 91606 v2 This topic is taught in class and assessed at the end of the year as an external. There will also be an end-of-topic test.
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.
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
NZQA Info
Biology 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment
NZQA Info
Biology 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation
NZQA Info
Biology 3.6 - Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution
NZQA Info
SCHL - Biology
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 18
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Disclaimer
Please note that courses will go ahead only if student numbers, staffing, and timetabling allow it. Where a subject is oversubscribed, and there are insufficient numbers or resources to create an extra class, a ballot system may be applied.
Costs
The Board of Trustees has again asked to opt into the Ministry of Education donation scheme. Doing so resulted in the ability to waive student fee donations. Kaiapoi High School aims to deliver quality educational courses over and above those that which is funded by the Ministry. It is likely the School will opt into the donation scheme for 2025, however parental contribution for the costs of trips and activities where participation is optional, and/or components not covered by the Government grant, may be requested. We appreciate the financial support our families make to the School.