Biology provides opportunities for students
to engage with living systems.
Students develop their understanding of
cells and multicellular organisms. They
engage with the concept of maintaining the
internal environment. They study biodiversity
and the interconnectedness of life. This
knowledge is linked with the concepts of
heredity and the continuity of life.
Students learn and apply aspects of the
knowledge and skills of the discipline
(thinking, experimentation, problem-solving
and research skills), understand how it
works and how it may impact society. They
develop their sense of wonder and curiosity
about life; respect for all living things and the
environment; understanding of biological
systems, concepts, theories and models;
appreciation of how biological knowledge
has developed over time and continues to
develop; a sense of how biological
knowledge influences society.
Students plan and carry out fieldwork,
laboratory and other research investigations;
interpret evidence; use sound, evidencebased arguments creatively and analytically
when evaluating claims and applying
biological knowledge; and communicate
biological understanding, findings,
arguments and conclusions using
appropriate representations, modes and
genres.
Pathways
| Objectives
|
A course of study in Biology can establish a
basis for further education and employment
in the fields of medicine, forensics,
veterinary, food and marine sciences,
agriculture, biotechnology, environmental
rehabilitation, biosecurity, quarantine,
conservation and sustainability.
| By the conclusion of the course of study, students will:
- describe and explain scientific concepts,
theories, models and systems and their
limitations
- apply understanding of scientific
concepts, theories, models and systems
within their limitations
- analyse evidence
- interpret evidence
- investigate phenomena
- evaluate processes, claims and
conclusions
- communicate understandings, findings,
arguments and conclusions.
|
Structure
Unit 1
| Unit 2
| Unit 3
| Unit 4
|
Cells and
multicellular
organisms - Cells as the basis
of life
- Multicellular
| Maintaining the
internal environment
- Homeostasis
- Infectious
diseases
| Biodiversity and the
interconnectedness of
life
- Describing
biodiversity
- Ecosystem
dynamics
| Heredity and
continuity of life - DNA, genes and
the continuity of
life
- Continuity of life
on Earth
|
Assessment
Schools devise assessments in Units 1 and 2 to suit their local context.
In Units 3 and 4 students complete four summative assessments. The results from each of the
assessments are added together to provide a subject score out of 100. Students will also receive
an overall subject result (A–E).
Summative assessments
Unit 3
| Unit 4
|
Summative internal assessment 1 (IA1):
• Data test
| 10%
| Summative internal assessment 3 (IA3):
• Research investigation
| 20%
|
Summative internal assessment 2 (IA2):
• Student experiment
| 20%
| Summative external assessment (EA):
• Examination
| 50%
|
Enrol