BIO303

Level 3 Science - Biology (BIO303)

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Miss D. Holt.

Bio 303 course covers plant responses, animal behaviour and human biological and cultural evolution. Students will also research a socio-scientific issue of their choice. As part of their animal behaviour study students will carry out an investigation at the Wellington Zoo.



Course Overview

Term 1
Species Interactions - Students will explore aspects of animal interactions in class. They will then apply this knowledge to complete a field study at Wellington Zoo. Material covered in this unit will be assessed in both an internal assessment and the end of year NCEA exam.

Term 2
Timing and Orientation Responses - Students will learn how both plants and animals use biological clocks to synchronise life processes with the environment. They will also study orientation responses in plants and animals and how animals navigate during homing and migration.

Socio-Scientific Issue - Students select a biological issue of there choice and investigate the biological concepts involved, biological and social implications of the issue and suggest actions.

Term 3
Human Evolution - Students examine aspects of human biological and cultural evolution.

Term 4
Revision for NCEA exams.

Recommended Prior Learning


Students are required to have passed at least one of the externally assessed Level 2 Biology papers.


Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

1 x 2B8 exercise book.
BYOD
sciPADs internal and external (recommended) $25 - can be purchased through the College
Zoo Trip - 3 days - $55 costs tbc.

Assessment Information

The course offers 2 internally assessed achievement standards and 2 externally assessed achievement standards. Students are able to gain up to 16 credits and endorsement with Merit or Excellence in Biology. These credits will count to many tertiary pathways.

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.

Total Credits Available: 16 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 9 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 7 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91601 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance
4
4
4
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 6

A.S. 91602 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 3.2 - Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue
3
3
3
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 2, Week: 5

A.S. 91603 v3
NZQA Info
Biology 3.3 - Demonstrate understanding of the responses of plants and animals to their external environment
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 5r,5w *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 9
Term: 2, Week: 7

A.S. 91606 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 3.6 - Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 9

Credit Summary
Total Credits: 16
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 12
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 16

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 Sacred Heart College Lower Hutt to have school-wide policies that inform parents and students of the criteria for administering all Assessments for National Qualifications.