SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINE
BIOLOGY
ATAR YEAR 12
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Sample course outline
Biology – ATAR Year 12
Unit 3 and Unit 4
Semester 1 – Continuity of species
Week
Key teaching points
1
Heredity
The genetic code
 structure of DNA
 replication
2
Protein synthesis
 transcription and translation
 gene expression
3–4
DNA technologies
 DNA sequencing
 DNA profiling
 recombinant DNA technologies and their application (transgenic organisms)
Task 1: Gel electrophoresis – a practical activity with a summary report and an in-class validation
5
Cell reproduction
 mitosis
 meiosis
 variations as a result of meiosis
6
Mutations
 causes of mutations
 gene mutations
 chromosome mutations
7–8
Patterns of inheritance
 dominance
 autosomal alleles
 sex-linked alleles
 multiple alleles
 polygenes
Task 2: Heredity – 40-minute test
9
Continuity of life on Earth
 fossil evidence
 the geological time scale
Task 3: Fossils and evolution – an extended response consisting of one week of research, followed
by an in-class validation based on the research
10
Evidence for evolution
 comparative genomics (molecular evidence)
 technological developments in the fields of comparative genomics, comparative biochemistry
and bioinformatics
 comparative anatomy and embryology
 phylogenetic trees
11–12
Natural selection
 sources of variation
 natural selection
 gene flow and genetic drift
 artificial selection
Task 4: Changing a gene pool – a scientific report based on developing and conducting a simulation
Sample course outline | Biology | ATAR Year 12
2
Week
Key teaching points
game with two sets of rules
13–14
15
Speciation
 causes of speciation
 allopatric speciation
 examples of speciation
 types of evolution (convergent, divergent)
Environmental conservation
 populations with reduced genetic diversity face increased risk of extinction
 effects of using transgenic organisms on genetic diversity and the environment
 use of biotechnology in environmental conservation
 conservation planning to maintain viable gene pools
Task 5: Continuity of life on Earth – 40-minute test
Task 6: Semester 1 Examination
Semester 2 – Surviving in a changing environment
Week
Key teaching points
1–3
Homeostasis
 stimulus response model
Living in a terrestrial environment
Case studies:
 endotherms, e.g. mammals, birds
 ectotherms, e.g. arthropods, reptiles
Challenges faced by terrestrial organisms living in an arid environment
 thermoregulation
 water and salt balance
Task 7: Temperature regulation in animals – an investigation into thermoregulatory mechanisms
4–5
Living in an aquatic environment
Case studies:
 endotherms, e.g. mammals (whales, dolphins); birds (penguins and other sea-dwelling birds)
 ectotherms, e.g. freshwater and marine fish, amphibia, reptiles
Challenges faced by organisms living in an aquatic environment
 thermoregulation
 water and salt balance
6–7
Xerophytes and halophytes
Case studies:
 xerophytes
 halophytes
Task 8: Homeostasis – 40-minute test
8
Infectious disease
Nature of disease
 terminology
 transmission of disease
 major groups of pathogens – structural characteristics
 spread of disease involves a range of interrelated factors
 susceptibility of urban areas to epidemics and pandemics
Activity: http://www.csiro.au/helix/sciencemail/activities/infection.html
Sample course outline | Biology | ATAR Year 12
3
Week
Key teaching points
9
Bacteria
 types of bacteria
 diseases caused by bacteria – tuberculosis, tetanus, crown gall of plants
Task 9: Modelling an outbreak of a disease – The Nuffield Foundation, Spread of infectious diseases,
Activity 4.1 Protecting the herd
10
Fungi
 types of fungi
 diseases caused by fungi – amphibian chytrid fungus
Task 10: Amphibian chytrid fungus disease – an extended response consisting of one week of
research, followed by an in-class validation based on the research
11
Protists
 types of protozoans
 diseases caused by protists – malaria, Phytophthora dieback disease
12
Viruses
 types of viruses
 diseases caused by viruses – Ross River virus, influenza viruses, Australian bat lyssavirus, viral
disease of the honey bee

13


the effect of climatic changes on the distribution of mosquito-borne diseases, e.g. Ross River
virus
evolution of pathogens – emerging viral diseases
using modelling to establish the incidence and spread of disease
14
 management strategies
 the importance of quarantine for agriculture and the environment
 international cooperation and communication
Task 11: Infectious disease – 40-minute test
15
Task 12: Semester 2 Examination
Sample course outline | Biology | ATAR Year 12