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Christ’s College
Canterbury
28
Skills acquired
Students continue to develop the scientific and
thinking skills of:
• using and communicating knowledge
• planning and carrying out practical
investigations
• observing, collecting, recording, processing
and interpreting data
YEAR 12
Status
Optional
Prerequisites
Level 1 Biology preferred
Periods per week
Five
Description
The Level 2 Biology course is one that students
find both interesting and challenging. It is at this
level that students realise just what a diverse and
important subject Biology is, and how its skills
are used in so many different careers. Some boys
will have their minds on Medicine or Agriculture
as a career, while others are keeping their options
open, contemplating doing a Science degree at
tertiary level. It is important that before too much
specialisation takes place, the students see the
full scope of Biology, and it is at the Year 12 level
that this process begins in earnest. Although
students are accepted if they have not completed
a Level 1 Biology or General Science course,
they should expect to complete extra work to
supplement their knowledge.
The year begins with an ecology focus and
involves a trip to Brooklands Lagoon to study the
zonation pattern on the salt marsh prior to an
extended field trip to the Craigieburn area, where
the assessment takes place. In addition, the
course this year includes:
• an extended laboratory practical investigation
• cell biology and detailed microscope work
• DNA, genetic variation and gene expression
• adaptations to organs in relation to survival
It is important that students understand that
Biology can be studied at themolecular level (DNA,
enzymes andmetabolic pathways), the cellular level,
the body system level, and an ecological level.
Assessment
The Level 2 Biology course of 26 credits will be
assessed against the following NCEA Level 2
achievement standards (six from the Biology
subject area and one from Education for
Sustainability):
AS 91153
Carry out a practical investigation in a biological
context. (4 credits – internal)
AS 91155
Demonstrate understanding of adaptation of
plants or animals to their way of life.
(3 credits – internal)
AS 91156
Demonstrate understanding of life processes at
the cellular level. (4 credits – external)
AS 91157
Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation
and change. (4 credits – external)
AS 91158
Investigate a pattern in an ecological community.
(4 credits – internal)
AS 91159
Demonstrate understanding of gene expression.
(4 credits – external)
This course demands a high level of effort and
attention to detail, where students develop
much more confidence in their ability to think
logically and express their ideas clearly. Any boys
considering doing any biology-based course in
preparation for their future career will benefit
hugely from the Level 2 Biology course.