NCEA Level 3 Biology
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Ms H. Dixon.
What is Biology?
Biology is at the centre of all life and students explore the living world, its ecology, plant and animal life processes, evolution, and relationships between biology and technology. Through this study, students gain an understanding of themselves, the world, and how organisms survive and live together. They also develop essential scientific knowledge, methods and techniques. From here, ākonga are able to analyse scientific information effectively and discuss the wide range of implications science has on our world, including medical and environmental issues. Biology is a broad interest subject and is important for careers and in a variety of areas, from health to forestry and zoology.
The Level 3 Biology course enables students to gain an understanding of fundamental living world concepts to prepare them for further biological study at university. Students will use scientific evidence and develop critical thinking skills to link these observations to theory.
The course introduces the biological evidence and ideas that explain how an organism’s responses provide a selective survival advantage in its niche, the evolutionary processes that lead to speciation, and trends in human evolution.
Students will plan, conduct and report on a practical investigation, and through research, explain how and why a mammal maintains a stable internal environment despite fluctuating environmental conditions.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
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 3.3 - Demonstrate understanding of the responses of plants and animals to their external environment
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Biology 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment
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Biology 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation
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Biology 3.6 - Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution
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.