Biology Department
Biology helps us understand the living world all around us
The Living World strand is about living things and how they interact with each other and the environment. Students develop an understanding of the diversity of life and life processes, of where and how life has evolved, of evolution as the link between life processes and ecology, and of the impact of humans on all forms of life. As a result, they are able to make more informed decisions about significant biological issues. The emphasis is on the biology of New Zealand, including the sustainability of New Zealand’s unique fauna and flora and distinctive ecosystems.
Biology for all levels (click on the year level below for the course booklet)
In Level 1 Biology we look at Human Anatomy and Physiology, Cells and microbiology with regard to plants and animals. Level 2 Biology focuses on Anatomy and Physiology genetics and DNA, with biological links to the world around us. Level 3 Biology is focused on homeostasis, anatomy and physiology and how animals maintain a constant internal environment with an ever-changing external one, it also focuses on ecology and evolution. The Scholarship course will cover 4 main areas: Genetics and Cells, Anatomy and physiology, Animal and Plants, and Speciation. The course outline for Massey University will be available on the course pages in Stratus. Students wishing to partake in the Massey paper ‘Biology of Cells 162.101’ need to register online for ‘Mastering Biology’ and obtain the ‘Campbell and Reece’ textbook.
Learning Biology opens doors to your future
Future pathways in Biology: www.biologyjobs.com Agriculture, Anatomy / Physiology, Bioinformatics / Biotechnology, Botany, Cell Biology, Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Science Jobs, Genetics, Marine Science, Medicine, Natural Resources,Pharmacology, Postdoctoral, Toxicology, Veterinary Medicine,and Zoology and the list goes on......
Click on the link -> BIOLOGY - UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Level One: Biology
Course Content: In studying biology, students will investigate, and develop their understanding of:
(1) Human physiology and anatomy as well as organ systems, and homeostasis.
(2) Diversity, structure, function, and interrelationships of living organisms, and their interactions with the abiotic environment.
(3) Genetics and evolution.
(4) Interactions between humans and their environment, and how they are influenced by developments in biological knowledge and technology. In studying biology, students will further develop their scientific investigative skills.
Level One Recommended Prior Achievement Level: There are no prerequisites for Level 1 BiologyStudents will have the option of selecting ONE internal and ONE external standard of their choice.
Accelerated course: Level 2 courseAchievement Standard Title
No. of
credits
Literacy
Numeracy
Total number of internally assessed credits in this course:
Total number of externally assessed credits in this course:
Total number of credits in this course:
11
7
18
Y / N
Y / N
Internal Assessments
Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with direction (1.1)
4
N
Y
Investigate the biological impact on a New Zealand Ecosystem (1.12)
4
Y
N
Report on a Biological issue (1.2)
3
Y
N
External Assessments
Demonstrate understanding of biological ideas relating to micro-organisms (1.3)
4
Y
N
Demonstrate understanding of biological ideas relating to a mammal as a consumer (1.5)
3
Y
N
Course Content: In studying biology, students will investigate, and develop their understanding of:
(1) Human physiology and anatomy as well as organ systems, and homeostasis.
(2) Ecology: A study of ecological patterns and processes, illustrated as far as possible by investigating aspects of one or more local communities. This includes the identification of major groups of plants and animals with emphasis on New Zealand examples, whether indigenous or introduced. The importance of managing resources to ensure their sustainability.
(3) Form and Function: A study of organisms to illustrate different adaptations which, through evolution, exist to deal with the problems common to all life.
(4) The Cell: The cell as a unit of living matter. The structure and function of a generalized plant and animal cell will be studied in this course and is an underlying theme throughout the year.
(5) Gene expression and variation: An understanding of how genes are expressed by cells. The chemical structure of genes, nature of the genetic code, the significance of proteins, protein synthesis, phenotype determination, metabolic pathways, mutations and the influence of the environment on phenotype expression.
Level Two Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for Level 2 Biology, just a willingness to learn and a good attitude and coursework grade.
Accelerated course: Level 3 course
Achievement Standard Title
No. of
credits
Literacy
Numeracy
Total number of internally assessed credits in this course:
Total number of externally assessed credits in this course:
Total number of credits in this course:
11
8
19
Y / N
Y / N
Internal Assessments
Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context (2.1)
4
N
Y
Investigate a pattern in an ecological community (2.6)
4
Y
N
Investigate how animals and plant are adapted to their way of life (2.3)
3
Y
N
External Assessments
Demonstrate understanding of life processes at the cellular level (2.4)
4
Y
N
Demonstrate understanding of gene expression (2.7)
4
Y
N
Course Content: In studying biology, students will investigate, and develop their understanding of:
(1) Human physiology and anatomy as well as organ systems, and homeostasis.
(2) Animal behaviour and plant responses: Biological timing and orientation: cyclic responses of plants and animals (daily, lunar, annual cycles), biological clocks, tropisms and taxes, homing and migration.
(3) Organism investigation: Conduct a practical biological fair-test investigation involving a plant or animal. Internally assessed and will involve each student in: focusing and planning, information gathering, processing and interpreting, and reporting.
(4) Homeostasis: Control system that maintains a stable internal environment (homeostatic system) for body temperature, blood pressure, osmotic balance, blood glucose, and respiratory gasses in tissues.
(5) Speciation: Mutation and its role in producing variation, speciation, patterns of evolution (convergent, divergent, parallel), and adaptive radiation.
(6) Biotechnology: Techniques: restriction enzymes, ligation, polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing using gel electrophoresis, DNA fingerprinting, gene cloning using a vector (plasmid, bacteriophage), transgenesis, tissue culture, genome analysis. Accelerated Course: Students will be able to enter for Scholarship Biology. Massey University 162.101Cell Biology course is available on negotiation with the Head of Department.
Level Three Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for Level 3 Biology, just a willingness to learn and a good attitude and coursework grade.
Level Three Biology Accelerated Course: Students will enroll in the Level 3 Accelerate Biology Course. They may also wish to partake in the Massey University 'Biology of Cells' paper.
Achievement Standard Title
No. of
credits
Literacy
Numeracy
Total number of internally assessed credits in this course:
Total number of externally assessed credits in this course:
Total number of credits in this course:
10
9
19
Y / N
Y / N
Internal Assessments
Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance (3.1)
4
Y
Y
Understand how animals maintain a constant internal environment with an ever changing external environment (3.4)
3
Y
N
Demonstrate understanding of human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications (3.7)
3
Y
N
External Assessments
Demonstrate understanding of the responses of plants and animals to their external environment (3.3)
5
Y
N
Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation (3.5)
4
Y
N
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