02BIO

NCEA Level 2 Biology

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Zev Fishman.


We will focus predominantly on the processes which occur within living cells, specifically the structure and role of DNA as the blueprint for life and how it works to produce such a wide range of characteristics.

We will also investigate how the structure of tissues and organs work to provide animals with the energy they need to survive in their environment and how populations change over time.


Course Overview

Term 1
We will start the year by taking part in a Field Trip to the Waitakere Rainforest to study the different layers of the forest. This will lead to a report worth 4 credits (AS91158 - Internal).
For the rest of the term we will be studying genetic variation and change, looking at how variation within a population occurs and how this leads to changes within a population (AS91157 - External, 4 credits).

Term 2
We will be spending the term working towards two internal assessments. Having learnt about processes that are important for cell function, we will undertake a biological investigation into the effect of salt concentration on cells (AS91153 - Internal, 4 credits). We will then be investigating how different types of animals (insects, fish and mammals) get their oxygen so that they can perform respiration. This will lead onto the completion of another internal assessment (AS91155 - Internal, 3 credits).

Term 3
We will be studying the concepts of gene expression, looking at the nucleic acid structure, protein synthesis, and metabolic pathways (AS91159 - External, 4 credits).

Recommended Prior Learning

Students will need to have passed two Level 1 Science externals.

Students coming from Academic Science must have passed the Biology external at Merit or above. Students coming from General Science will be subject to teacher approval.

Pathway

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.

Total Credits Available: 20
Internal Assessed Credits: 8
External Assessed Credits: 12
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91153 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 2.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context, with supervision


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91156 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 2.4 - Demonstrate understanding of life processes at the cellular level


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4w
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91157 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4w
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91158 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 2.6 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91159 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 2.7 - Demonstrate understanding of gene expression


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 20
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 8
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Disclaimer

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