03BIO

NCEA Level 3 Biology

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Zev Fishman.


We will expand on the knowledge gained in Level 2 Biology and cover the most recent discoveries in Biology. 

We will investigate how plants and animals respond to their environment and each other, how humans maintain a balance in their environment, how populations evolve and can result in new species being formed, and then focus on human evolution. We also investigate the latest scientific controversies and developments in biotechnology.

This course is co-constructed with students to suit their individual needs. 

Although the course will provide up to 19 credits, these credits could be gained from any combination of the Level 3 standards provided by the department, in consultation with the teacher, student and parents.

NOTE: Achievement Standard 91607 (Biology 3.7) will also be available during this course as an optional internal assessment.

Course Overview

Term 1
We will start with a 3 credit Internal Assessment on homeostasis. Then we will focus on the External Assessment on evolution and speciation, which will be completed by the end of the term.

Term 2
Term 2 starts with the completion of the External Assessment. The second Internal assessment on a socio-scientific issue follows. Finally, we will start preparing for the second, and largest, External Assessment. This involves studying how plants and animals respond to their environment. The interrelationships within and between species will be further studied when we go to the Zoo in Term 3/4.

Term 3
The final of the External Assessments on Human Evolution will be completed this term, and then it is all about preparation for exams.

Term 4
This term is entirely focused on exam preparation.

Recommended Prior Learning

You should have at least 14 credits from Level 2 Biology, including 8 from external standards.

Course Costs

This Course Contribution covers the cost of Education Perfect.

Description Type Value
Course Contribution Contribution $30.00
$30.00

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: 19
Internal Assessed Credits: 6
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
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 19
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 19
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 19

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

Course availability is dependent on numbers and staffing, and course entry cannot be confirmed until the beginning of the 2025 school year.