13BIO

Year 13 Biology

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mrs A. McManaway.

Learning Biology will give students more meaning and relevance to the world around them. Biology is a fascinating subject that will open student minds to new ideas in genetics, genetic engineering, homeostasis, plant and animal Biology, evolution and human evolution. Doing Biology in the senior school will give students a broad knowledge base that will lead them into Health Sciences, agricultural science, conservation and many more areas.

To start the day …. “Evolution of the Human Face Across History ...Speed Bump | Coffee humor, Funny, Animal coffee

Course Overview

Term 1
Homeostasis (AS91604)
An investigation into how humans maintain a constant body temperature, despite changes in the external environment. Students learn about how this equilibrium can be disrupted and hypothermia can result.

Evolution (AS91605)
A focus on how natural selection and other evolutionary processes results in new species forming. A special lens is placed on New Zealand flora and fauna and this is reinforced by a two day field trip to Auckland Zoo, Kelly Tarlton Aquarium and Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki gulf.

Socio-scientific Issues (AS91602)
Students investigate an issue important to society looking at both sides of the debate and propose an action that might bring about change.

Term 2
Biotechnology (AS91607)
This is an OPTIONAL investigation into the ways that humans manipulate genetic material and a focus on how this can impact outcomes - especially for human health.

Plant and Animal Responses (AS91603)
How do plants and animals respond to the living and non-living things around them. From Migration to hibernation, group living to going it alone, biological clocks to courtship and mating - this topic has something to interest everyone.

Term 3
Human Evolution (AS91606)
Join the class on a journey back to the dawn of humanity, using fossil and molecular evidence to piece together the complex human lineage. Meet our extinct ancestors and find out why it might be that Homo sapiens are the only living survivors of our genus.

Term 4
NCEA Exam focus
Students learn strategies to help them read and understand exam questions. Develop exam techniques to scaffold their success in the NCEA external examinations.
Students are provided with a range of new activities that allow them to revise the topic material covered in Terms One – Three whilst practicing exam strategies.

Recommended Prior Learning

It is recommended that students gain an Achieved grade or better in AS91157 (Genetics).

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: 22
Internal Assessed Credits: 9
External Assessed Credits: 13
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91602 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.2 - Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
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
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
A.S. 91605 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation


Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
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
A.S. 91607 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.7 - Demonstrate understanding of human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications


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: 22
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 22
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 22

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.

Pathway Tags

Acupuncturist, Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor, Registered Nurse, Agricultural/Horticultural Scientist, Agricultural/Horticultural Consultant, Paramedic, Anaesthetist, Anaesthetic Technician, Pathologist, Veterinary Nurse, Zoologist, Beekeeper, Chemist, Aquaculture Farmer, Zookeeper, Marine Biologist, Arborist, Medical Physicist, Audiologist/Audiometrist, Microbiologist, Beauty Therapist, Farmer/Farm Manager, Biochemist, Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Technician, Biotechnologist, Biosecurity Officer, Phlebotomist, Brewer, Mechanical Engineer, Fishing Skipper, Cardiac Physiologist, Physician, Surgeon, Midwife, Dental Assistant, Science Technician, Podiatrist, Chiropractor, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Coder, Dental Technician, Community Karitane, Pharmacist, Dairy Farmer, Crop Worker, Crop Farmer/Crop Manager, Oral Health Therapist, Dentist, Medical Radiation Technologist, Diagnostic Radiologist, Dietitian, Dispensing Optician, Forensic Scientist, General Practitioner, Gynaecologist/Obstetrician, Psychiatrist, Dog Trainer, Geologist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental/Public Health Officer, Food Technologist, Forest Manager, Forestry Scientist, Pest Control Technician, Gardener, Agricultural Field Representative, Health and Safety Adviser, Health Promoter, Nursing Support and Care Worker, Naturopath, Veterinarian, Medical Laboratory Technician, Radiation Therapist, Nursery Grower/Worker, Occupational Therapist, Optometrist, Osteopath, Physiotherapist, Quarantine Officer, Radiation Oncologist, Speech-Language Therapist, Sterilising Technician, Water/Waste Water Treatment Operator,

Disclaimer

Note that picking a course doesn't guarantee entry.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the year level dean or the Future Pathways team for support and guidance.