Biology 2014 assessment for preliminary
Syllabus
reference
number
Syllabus
weighting
Dates due (may be changed)
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
A Local Ecosystem
Patterns in Nature
Life on Earth
Evolution of Aust. Biota
Total %
21%
29%
25%
25%
100%
Ecosystem
excursion
Practical &
process
test
Museum
excursion
Prac book
Homework
Assignment
Tues Feb
25th
Friday March
21st
Tues April
8th
On going
(last day
Friday Apr 4th)
Friday May 2
20
24
20
24
8
10
10
20
8
14
14
28
Total
%
20
32
24
24
100
Excursions: There are two very important excursions for this part of the course. Attendance is compulsory.
1. Salt pan creek – planned for Tuesday Feb25th, all afternoon. No cost to students at this stage. Worth 20%.
2. Australian Museum, Tuesday 8th April for work on Life on Earth and Evolution of Australian Biota, 12.30 – 4.30 pm.
Cost will be approx $8 + train fares. Worth 20%
Homework Assignment: This covers a large part of the syllabus that cannot be covered in class work and so is compulsory and given an
assessment mark (28%)
Other Homework will be given in class and via the Wiki, where answers will also be posted. Homework handed in will be marked and
feedback will be given.
Lab prac books: Every student will be given preliminary prac book. This is (at least in part) assessable so must be your own work. DO
NOT LEND YOUR PRAC BOOK!
Text books: You will need a text book! A common one we use is Heinemann Biology by Mudie and Brotherton which covers both prelim
and HSC course. Other text books provided they are on the current HSC course, eg Biology in Context (Spectrum), Jacaranda HSC
Biology, Focus on Biology, are equally good. XL is good if your English is not good and for revision
WIKI – HSC Bankstown has a wiki which you can look at to see assessments, homework and other important information. You do not
need a password, just internet access on your computer.
Lockers are available free of charge. You need to provide your own lock.
Lab. 97805590
Staff room 97805591 (has voice mail)
Email – (teacher’s) firstname.surname@tafensw.edu.au
Overall program for Biology 2014
Term 1
All of preliminary, many classes involve
compulsory practical work from Patterns in
Nature.
Excursion for A Local Ecosystem.
Museum Excursion for Life on Earth and
Evolution of Australian Biota.
Term 2
Maintaining a
Balance
(+ prac & process
test)
Blueprint of Life
(most)
(including open ended
investigation report,
due 3rd term)
Weeks 5 to 9 on HSC module Search for
better health.to be held on Tuesdays 3 pm
to 5 pm
Term 3
Blueprint of Life
(last part)
Term 4
HSC exams
Option (Communication)
(+Test)
Trial HSC, usually in week 7
Weeks after trial finishing off:
Search for better health and
revision
FAQs on preliminary
1. Does Preliminary assessment count towards HSC?
NO
2. Do I have to pass preliminary?
YES, but you may have already done so (eg at high school)
3. What is the pass mark for preliminary?
50%
4. Do I get a mark for preliminary, or just pass or fail?
You will be given a mark and it will be used for your RoSA (Board of Studies
record of your achievement)
5. What if I miss an excursion?
You will need a good excuse and be expected to do make-up work
6. Are all pracs marked?
No, you will be told which ones will be marked when you do them
7. What if I think I’m failing preliminary?
See a teacher before the end of term. We will make sure that you don’t.
8. Do I need a text book?
YES