Marine Science 2013
Sample work program
February 2014
Marine Science 2013
Sample work program
Compiled by the Queensland Studies Authority
August 2013
A work program is the school’s plan of how the course will be delivered and assessed, based on the
school’s interpretation of the syllabus. The school’s work program must meet syllabus requirements,
and indicate that there will be sufficient scope and depth of student learning to reflect the general
objectives and meet the exit criteria and standards.
This sample demonstrates one approach, and should be used as a guide only to help teachers plan
and develop school work programs.
2 | Marine Science 2013 Sample work program
Semester 4
Semester 3
Semester 2
Semester 1
Key
Understanding marine ecosystems
Explores the complex biodiversity of marine
ecosystems.
30
55
Determining the health of local waterways
Investigate abiotic and biotic parameters of a local
marine ecosystem to ascertain its ecological
condition and evaluate practices used to manage it.
25
Protecting marine resources —
Law of the sea
How do maritime safety issues and legislation impact
on marine environments?
Protecting marine resources —
Local individual study
Investigate a local marine ecosystem and
recommend practices to improve its management.
Sustainable marine management
Integration of Indigenous perspectives into marine
resource management.
MB
OC
CS
1.1, 1.3
2.1, 2.2, 2.4 2.1, 2.3
2.1
1.2
1.4, 1.5
1.5, 1.7
1.1, 1.3, 1.4
2.5
2.1, 2.7
2.1, 2.2
3.4, 3.6
1.3–1.6
2.1, 2.6
2.4–2.6
3.1, 3.4–3.6 3.3
3.2
3.2, 3.4, 3.6
1.1, 1.2
1.5
3.6
35
2.2, 2.4
3.3–3.6
1.6
1.2, 1.3, 1.6 1.1, 1.6
2.6
2.12.7
2.2, 2.3
3.6
3.5, 3.6
3.1, 3.2,
3.5, 3.6
1.1, 1.3–1.6 1.4, 1.5
1.2–1.7,
1.1–1.6
2.6
2.1, 2.3, 2.6 2.1–2.3, 2.6
2.1
3.1, 3.6
1.2
20
3.3–3.6
Dimensions
KU
IA
EC
Assessment modes
& conditions
Examination
Short response test
F



1 hour; 50–250 words per
response
2
Extended response
Extended research
response
F



3–5 minutes
Multimodal presentation
3
Examination
Extended response test
F



1.5 hours; 400–600 words
Unseen stimulus and
question
4
Extended response
Extended marine
investigation
F



800–1000 words
Investigative field based
report
5
Examination
Short response test
S



1.5 hour; 50–250 words per
response
6
Extended response
Extended research
response
S



5–7 minutes
Multimodal presentation
7
Examination
Extended response test
S



2 hours; 600–800 words
Unseen stimulus and
question
8
Extended response
Extended marine
investigation
S



1000–1500 words
Investigative field based
report
9
Extended response
Extended research
response
S



5–7 minutes
Multimodal presentation
2.5, 2.6
3.1–3.6
20
F/
S
1
1.2, 1.5
2.5, 2.6
2.1, 2.5
Assessment
technique
3.1, 3.2
3.2, 3.5, 3.6 3.2
35
MS
1.1, 1.2, 1.6
3.1–3.3
Investigating the importance of our foreshores
Defines and describes the natural and humaninduced processes that shape our coastlines. It
addresses how foreshores are used and whether
they are being managed sustainability. Stakeholders’
needs are analysed and evaluated to make justified
recommendations on future usage.
Global impacts on marine environments
Examine the science of climate change highlighting
possible impacts for marine ecosystems. Evaluate
the merits of the various strategies propose to deals
with the implications of climate change.
Areas of study
Key concepts / elaborations
Instrument #
Unit/Inquiry
Length (hrs)
Course organisation and assessment plan
3.3–3.6
1.6
1.1–1.7
2.5–2.6
2.1, 2.3, 2.7
3.5, 3.6
3.1, 3.6
3.1–3.4, 3.6
Areas of study: MB Marine biology OC Oceanography CS Conservation and sustainability MS Marine research skills
Assessment type: F Formative S Summative
Dimensions: KU Knowledge and understanding IA Investigating and analysis EC Evaluating and communicating
Queensland Studies Authority August 2013
| 3
Unit title: Understanding marine ecosystems
Description
Developing foundation knowledge about the ecology of marine ecosystems, including the skills required to investigate biotic and abiotic factors that signal ecological health.
Marine science information, including secondary and primary data, is interpreted and analysed in an effort to explain the impacts of human activities upon marine
environments. Current marine management practices are evaluated and conclusions drawn regarding their ecological effectiveness.
Areas of study/key concepts
Marine biology (MB1, MB2, MB3); Oceanography (OC2); Conservation and sustainability (CS3); Marine research skills (MS1, MS2)
Dimensions assessed
Knowing and understanding (KU); Investigating and analysing (IA); Evaluating and communicating (EC)
Time
30 hours
Assessment techniques
Examination: Short response test; 1 hour — Series of short response items (50–250 words per response)
Key concepts/elaboration
Possible learning experiences
MS1.1, 1.3 Regulatory requirements and procedures are essential for dealing with hazards, accidents and
emergencies (e.g. collision regulations, safety obligations, zoning). Water safety skills and first aid
procedures are important when undertaking marine activities.
Review and refine proficiency in marine first-aid procedures and water skills.
MB1.6, 3.1, 3.2 Field guides and identification keys use scientific and common names to classify organisms
according to distinct and observable features. Ecology is the study of abiotic and biotic factors which are
observed through field study techniques (e.g. transects, trawls). Marine organisms live in a variety of
habitats, which may be classified according to biotic and abiotic factors (e.g. rocky shore, pelagic zone,
bioregion).
OC2.3 Seawater contains over 80 chemical elements which determine physical and chemical properties of
the oceans (e.g. salinity, heat capacity, density).
CS3.1, 3.2 Knowledge of the oceans is limited and requires further investigation. Methods and devices are
used to collect data relating to water quality and population density and distribution (e.g. transect, quadrat,
zonation studies).
MS1.1, 2.1 Regulatory requirements and procedures are essential for dealing with hazards, accidents and
emergencies (e.g. collision regulations, safety obligations, zoning). Vessels, instruments and techniques
are used to observe and record the abiotic and biotic features of marine environments.
Use boating and field techniques to enable observations/recordings to be made.
Operate a vessel to enable marine environment to be investigated safely. Collect
marine information along transects and record data found in quadrats. Use field guides
and identification keys to classify organisms from observable features. Investigate local
marine environments using field techniques to record the abiotic and biotic features.
Use sampling devices such as plankton nets, water quality probes and turbidity tubes
to gather information about the environment and evidence of the distribution and
abundance of various organisms. Collect primary and secondary data to determine
population density and distribution of a selection of organisms at different locations
within a marine environment (e.g. estuary).
MB1.1, 1.2 Biodiversity, the variety and abundance of life, is an indication of the health of marine
environments. There are a number of different classification systems for marine organisms according to a
range of characteristics.
KU
IA
EC



Survey the abundance of diverse life found in the marine environment. Identify and
classify organisms observed. Analyse primary data collected in the field to construct
graphs and other representations to describe the marine environment. Use data to
make a decision about the health of the ecosystem and present a conclusion in a short
paragraph.



MB2.2, 3.3 The interactions of marine organisms with biotic factors of habitats impact on adaptations.
Organisms in food webs interact via relationships and consumer levels as energy cycles through food
webs.
Describe the complex relationships between organisms within ecosystems. Interpret
scientific information to infer relationships. Construct a food web for the marine
environment studied and for other environments given suitable secondary data. Infer
how a sudden change in the population of one organism would affect other organisms.



MB2.1, 2.2, 2.4 The interactions of marine organisms with abiotic and biotic factors of habitats impact on
adaptations. Adaptations are classified as anatomical (structural), physiological (functional) or behavioural.
Select an organism observed in the field for further analysis. Identify observed
adaptations. Classify adaptations and make connections with observed biotic and
abiotic features of the environment. Summarise and present conclusions in visual
format suitable for a younger audience.


OC2.1 Water, atmospheric gases, nutrients, heat and pollution are cycled between oceans, the land and
the atmosphere and are represented using models.
Use IT and/or other resources to produce visual representations to explain mineral and
nutrient cycles (e.g. carbon cycle).


4 | Marine Science 2013 Sample work program
Marine Science student profile
Unit
Instrument
number
Technique
Formative/
Summative
Semester
Student Name:................................................................................... Teacher: ............................................
Understanding
marine ecosystems
1
Examination
Short response test
F
2
Extended response
Extended research
response
F
3
Examination
Extended response
test
F
4
Extended response
Extended marine
investigation
F
1
Investigating the
importance of our
foreshores
2
Determining the
health of local
waterways
Knowing &
understanding
Investigating &
analysing
Evaluating &
communicating
MONITORING
Interim Level of Achievement
5
Examination
Short response test
S
6
Extended response
Extended research
response
S
Protecting marine
resources —
Law of the sea
7
Examination
Extended response
test
S
Protecting marine
resources —
Local individual
study
8
Extended response
Extended marine
investigation
S
Global impacts on
marine environments
3
4
VERIFICATION
Interim Level of Achievement
4
Sustainable marine
management
Extended response
9
Extended research
response
S
EXIT
Exit Level of Achievement
Queensland Studies Authority August 2013
| 5
Queensland Studies Authority
154 Melbourne Street South Brisbane
PO Box 307 Spring Hill
QLD 4004 Australia
T +61 7 3864 0299
F +61 7 3221 2553
www.qsa.qld.edu.au