Welcome to Level 2 Biology, 2016
Biology is the science of life. Biologists study the structure, function, growth, origin,
evolution and distribution of living organisms.
This course includes…
1.
Ecology of plants and their patterns in a forest community
2.
Genetics through variation, change, DNA, genes and sexual reproduction
3.
Cell biology through life processes at the cellular level
4.
Animal Adaptations through links to their way of life
5.
Gene Expression through protein synthesis and metabolic pathways
The focus of this course is to give you an understanding of some key biological ideas and
concepts. These ideas and concepts are grouped together into five assessment topics. Two of
these topics will be formally assessed with internal reports and the other three with unit tests
then external examinations.
Mount Aspiring College
Course Outline for Students
Year 12 Biology; NCEA Level 2
Assessment and reassessment
There will be two internal standards assessed during the year. There will be no reassessment
opportunities and a maximum of one resubmission opportunity for the internal assessments. There will
be three external standards taught during the year. These will be assessed in the final NZQA
examinations in November. Progress for these standards will be assessed with end-of-topic tests and
MAC examinations at the end of term 3.
You are expected to be working at a level considered appropriate by the teacher and that has been
negotiated with your Dean and parents. There will be clear signposts to your Whanau teacher, Dean and
parents if you are not working at an appropriate level. Examples of when your teacher would contact
your parents: if you repeatedly did not complete homework, showed disruptive or off-task behaviour in
class, or did not achieve on numerous assessments.
Rules and Regulations
There are some very specific rules about assessments. Please refer to your NCEA handout, particularly
about the ownership of work, authenticity and plagiarism.
Stationary Requirements
Two Level 2 Biology SciPAD Workbooks – to be purchased through the school.
A folder and refill, or exercise book, pen, pencils, etc to use for note taking, laboratory and field work.
You will also find that clear-files are useful for storing hand-outs and notes.
Field Trip
Where: East Matukituki Valley, Mount Aspiring National Park.
When: Wednesday 24th February (Week 4, Term 1).
What: To collect data and investigate a pattern in a community for Internal Achievement Standard 2.6
which will be completed back at school.
You must make sure you can attend. Cost is approximately $25. More information will be handed out closer to the
time. We highly recommend that you participate in the field trip as it directly relates to the internal assessment and
you could jeopardise your achievement level by missing out on essential learning experiences in the field.
Homework and Revision
Level 2 Biology is a significant step up from L1 Science. Homework is an essential part of this course if
you want to achieve credits. Due to the high literacy requirement of this course it is essential you learn
and understand the many new words to enable you to understand the larger ideas and concepts. Selfmotivation in completing homework, identifying gaps in your knowledge and asking for help is an
expectation for those targeting merit and excellence grades. It is recommended you develop a daily or
weekly biology revision programme from the start of the year and produce revision notes as you go as
this leaves the end of the year free to practise past exam questions.
Tutorials
Ask for them early; become comfortable with asking for help and using your own time to reinforce the
concepts introduced in normal class time.
Laboratory work
This course includes both theory and practical components. The practical work is both in the lab and during the
field trip and is used to help you understand the theory and to collect data and information for your internals.
Remember the common sense rules when doing practical’s in a lab from your earlier science classes. In an
emergency, follow standard emergency procedures.
Prerequisites for NCEA Level 3 Biology
In order to continue with Biology at NCEA Level 3, you would be expected to sit all three external standards, but
must have the following NCEA Level 2 Standards at a minimum of Achievement level:
 Biol 2.5 Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change (4 credits)
 PLUS either of the other two external topics: Biol. 2.4 Cells or 2.7 Gene Expression (4 credits)
 PLUS a minimum of 3 credits from within the course
LEVEL 2 BIOLOGY 2016 Calendar
Approx.
time in
weeks
Standard
Number
Topic Description
Credits
Internal/
External
TERM 1
5-6
Bio 2.6
AS 91158
5
Bio 2.5
AS 91157
Ecology – plant structure and function,
investigate patterns in a beech forest.
One-day field trip to Mt Aspiring Nat Park.
4
Internal
Genetic variation and change - genetic
biodiversity, mutations, inheritance
patterns, natural selection, migration,
genetic drift, meiosis.
4
External
4
External
4
External
3
Internal
--
--
TERM 2
1-2
Bio 2.5
AS 91157
8-9
Bio 2.4
AS 91156
Genetic variation and change continued
Cellular processes - cellular
components, cell processes and factors
that affect them, reasons for similarities
and differences between cells
TERM 3
4
Bio 2.7
AS 91159
Gene expression – genetic code, protein
synthesis, phenotype, genotype and
metabolic pathways.
School exams, Week 7-8
5
Bio 2.3
AS 91155
Animal Adaptations –structure and
function of gas exchange and internal
transport systems.
TERM 4
1
Bio 2.3
Animal Adaptations – completed.
AS 91155
2.5
Year Revision
Total Credits available
19
LEVEL 2 BIOLOGY
Record of Achievement 2016
Name: ____________________________
Standard
numbers
Bio 2.4
AS 91156v1
Assessment Title
Cell biology
Assessment
type (I or E)
Internal
credits gained
or External
progress
External
/4
External
/4
External
/4
Internal
/4
Internal
/3
1) Unit Test grade
2) MAC Exam grade
Bio 2.5
AS 91157v1
Genetics
1) Unit Test grade
2) MAC Exam grade
Bio 2.7
AS 91159v1
Gene Expression
1) Unit Test grade
2) MAC Exam grade
Bio 2.6
AS 91158v1
Ecology
Assessed grade:
Bio2.3
AS 91155v1
Animal Adaptations
Assessed grade:
Total Credits =
/ 19