L2BIOL01

Level 2 Biology

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mrs M. Sinclair.

This course is for those learners who wish to continue on from Level 1 Biology or Level 1 General Science with a view to studying Biology at tertiary level e.g. BSc Biology, Biomedical science, Veterinary study or Medicine. 

This is an academic course focusing on interactions between genes, cell processes and interactions with the environment. It includes cell organelles and processes, enzyme activity and manipulation thereof, gene expression and population genetics including ecology and evolutionary processes. The content and skills here are important if carrying on with future study in Biology.

Good literacy is essential to succeed in Level 2 Biology due to the research and report writing expected and in the extended written response format in the NCEA examinations. Please note that this course requires learners to complete all teaching and learning in the course and does not advise picking and choosing learning around assessment standards as content and skills within topics of study are applicable to multiple Achievement Standards and important for future study in this subject.

Course Overview

Term 1
Weeks 1-8: Enzyme theory and kinetics, followed by internally assessed practical investigation
Rest of term: Gene Expression standard
Ongoing from about Week 5: optional Cells external tutorials once a week

Term 2
Weeks 1-5: finish Gene Expression standard
Rest of term: Genetic Variation and Change standard
Ongoing: optional Cells external tutorials

Term 3
Weeks 1-2: Finish Genetic Variation and Change standard
Weeks 3-8: Ecology internal
Ongoing: optional Cells external tutorials
Week 10: optional Animal Adaptations internal for those learners who would like additional credits and/or are not doing external exam(s)

Term 4
Revision for the external exams
Ongoing: optional Animal Adaptations internal for those learners who would like additional credits and/or are not doing external exam(s)

Recommended Prior Learning

Completion of the L1BIOL05 or L1SCIE01 courses at Whangaparāoa College.

Course Contribution and Equipment (this value is only indicative)

$145 Total
Contributions include...
- SciPAD Workbook set ($30)
- AME revision Workbook ($20)
- Tiritiri Matangi Is. field trip (optional) ($90 estimate). Field trip cost will be advised when trip details are finalised and sent to parents from the Schoolbridge platform. Field trip costs are to be paid via the Kindo app. In 2024 this fee was $85.
- Education Perfect ($20).This is subject to change dependent upon the type of EP access license applicable to the learner and whether they are enrolling in multiple Sciences. There is one EP license for access to all Science courses. If the learner is enrolling for multiple Science courses then this course contribution only needs to be paid once.
2B8 hardcover notebook recommended for each learner.

Pathway

Career Pathways

Course Skills

Assessment Information

Two compulsory externally assessed standards (AS91157 and AS91159)
Two compulsory internally assessed standards (AS91153 and AS91158)
One optional externally assessed standard (AS91156)
One optional internally assessed standard (AS91155)

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

Total Credits Available: 23 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 12 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 11 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91153 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context, with supervision

Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

4
4
4
4
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 12

A.S. 91155 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.3 - Demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants or animals to their way of life

Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

3
3
3

This course offers the following optional standards, which will be agreed upon in consultation with your teacher.

Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0

Assessments:
Term: 2023-05-30, Week: 2023-05-30

A.S. 91156 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.4 - Demonstrate understanding of life processes at the cellular level

Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4w
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91157 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change

Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4w
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91158 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.6 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision

Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91159 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.7 - Demonstrate understanding of gene expression

Further assessment opportunities will not be offered for this standard in line with NZQA guidelines

Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 23
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 8
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Disclaimer

Although we aim to enable every learner to have the course that they prefer,  limited places or learning requirements may restrict learners' choices.