NCEA Level 3 Biology 2015
Introduction
Level 3 Biology is a full year course, of five topics, that work towards gaining 19 level three NCEA credits.
Three of the standards are assessed internally (10 credits), the two remaining standards are externally
assessed (9 credits). You will need to gain 14 credits at Level 3 to enter a Biology Course at University level.
You are expected to attend class on a regular basis and complete all of the course and the associated
assessment tasks – this includes attending a camp for the practical investigation (details to follow).
Topics and Assessment (in order covered)
Topic
Homeostasis
Achievement
Standard No.
Biology 3.4
AS 91604 v1
Internal
Biological
Issues
Biology 3.2
AS 91602 v1
Biological
investigation
Biology 3.1
AS 91601 v1
Organisms
and their
environment
Processes of
Evolution
Internal
Internal
Biology 3.3
AS 91603 v1
External
Biology 3.5
AS 91605 v1
External
Assessment
Date
Description
Lit
Demonstrate understanding
of how an organism
maintains a stable internal
environment.
Y
3
Term 1 Week 7
(Summative)
Integrate biological knowledge
to develop an informed
response to a socio-scientific
issue.
Y
3
Term 2 Week 3
(Summative)
4
Term 2 Week 7
(Summative)
Y
5
Term 3 Week 4
(Formative)
Y
4
Term 3 Week 10
(Formative)
Carry out a practical
investigation in a biological
context, with guidance.
Demonstrate understanding
of the responses of plants
and animals to their
external environment.
Demonstrate understanding
of evolutionary processes
leading to speciation.
Y
Num
Y
Credits
ASSESSMENTS:
The biology course offers three internal achievement standards:
AS 91601 (BIO 3.1) – Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance.
AS 91602 (BIO 3.2) – Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue.
AS 91604 (BIO 3.4) – Demonstrate understanding on how an organism maintains a stable internal
environment.
There will be only one assessment opportunity offered for each internal standard therefore it is important
that you follow instructions very carefully, complete formative work and take on board any feedback from
your teacher.
There is only one assessment opportunity for external Achievement Standards. These are in late November
and will be examined by an external NZQA team. There will be practice assessment opportunities for these
external standards during the year in the form of quizzes, end of topic tests and school exams.
For internal assessments, it is important that you are not given an unfair advantage over others by being
allowed to hand work in late or by submitting work which is not your own. Please read the Linwood College
NCEA Information Booklet carefully as it provides additional guidance and if you are unsure talk with your
teacher prior to completing any assessment.
RESOURCES:
You will be required to purchase two write on workbooks ‘NCEA Level 3 Biology Externals’ and ‘NCEA Level
3 Biology Internals’ at a cost of $20 (total cost). You need to bring the workbook to class each day and it
will be used at home for homework. Please take good care of these as they are is a valuable resource used
throughout the year and for the final NCEA exams.
The Science Learning Area website is an online learning environment that you will be expected to visit from
time to time to complete quizzes, contribute to forums, access resources and important notices. Save this
link on your phone/home computer: http://tinyurl.com/LCSciencePage
HOMEWORK:
This will mainly consist of laboratory write ups and readings/exercises set from your workbook
(approximately 3 hours a week). It is important that you complete these as they form an integral part of
your biology course. You should also spend time each week reviewing your work so that you are
adequately prepared for tests. Tests and school exams are important opportunities to clarify your
understanding of concepts as well as practise writing clear, accurate, detailed responses.
If at any stage you feel you are having difficulty coping with your work, please see your
teacher.
STATIONARY REQUIREMENTS:
To ensure that you can access all your course work during the year, particularly for the external standards,
all your notes and exercises are to be completed in a 1B8 Exercise book. It is essential that work for
internal standards be organised separately from external topics. A twenty leaf clear file is adequate but
your teacher may suggest alternatives. This body of work will be referred to as a biology ‘portfolio’ and
will be used for authenticity purposes.
STUDENT OBLIGATIONS:
1 Ensure you understand the year 13 Biology assessment programme and policy.
2 Ensure you understand the requirements of each assessment being completed.
3 Check thoroughly the accuracy of the assessment by your teacher when work is returned.
4 Discuss problems/concerns with your teacher /HOLA Science.
Have an enjoyable year.
Matthew Easterbrook
est@linwoodcollege.school.nz