Science
BIOLOGY:
NCEA Level 3 CODE: 3BIO
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: NCEA Level 2 11 credits in Biology (or entry granted under guidance of the Head of Science)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course includes external standards on how plants and animals respond to their environment and trends in the biological and cultural evolution of humans. Internal assessments involve discussing how animals maintain a stable internal environment, looking at the human manipulation of genes and genetic transfer, and understanding the socio-scientific issues surrounding gene manipulation. The course builds upon key concepts covered in 2BIO, so students who have not done this course should seek advice from the Head of Science before selecting 3BIO.
ASSESSMENT: Level 3 Achievement Standards - 9 credits internally assessed, 9 credits externally assessed
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: SciPAD Workbook purchased online from Officemax. $35 approximately for field trip.
CHEMISTRY:
NCEA Level 3 CODE: 3CHE
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: NCEA Level 2 12 credits in chemistry including the Structure, Bonding and Energy external standard (AS 2.4).
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Studying chemistry will enable the students to: carry out more complex investigations and make sense of their results; understand and predict the way a range of chemicals react; describe how people interact with chemicals and chemical processes; appreciate the place of materials in society. The students will develop their skill in interpreting equations, graphs and experimental results. In addition, observational and analytical skills are developed, allowing students in the course to increase their understanding of common and important chemical processes. Chemistry is often a requirement for Medicine, Engineering and Nursing at university.
ASSESSMENT: Level 3 Achievement Standards - 3 credits internally assessed and 15 credits externally assessed.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: SciPAD Workbook purchased online from Officemax
GENERAL SCIENCE:
NCEA Level 3 CODE: 3SCI
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: NCEA Level 2 14 credits in any Level 2 sciences or good overall achievement in NCEA Level 2.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for those who want to gain qualifications in Science but who do not want to specialise in the fields of Biology, Chemistry or Physics. The topics studied focus on Earth and Space Science, but are wide-ranging and draw from all fields of science. Areas studied will include an investigation into meteorites, research into a socio-scientific issue, Earth systems and astronomy. The course also includes a day trip to Space Place. Students will learn by refining skills, particularly understanding, planning, processing and interpreting information; identifying trends, patterns and relationships; and researching and communicating scientific ideas.
ASSESSMENT: Level 3 Achievement Standards - 16 credits internally assessed (optional external standard may be available depending on interest).
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Nil
PHYSICS:
NCEA Level 3 CODE: 3PHY
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: NCEA Level 2 15 credits including Physics 2.4 and 2.6; achievement in 2MAT or 2MAX.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will learn to further understand the physical world around us by developing Year 12 topics in more detail. The topics of movement and energy, electromagnetism, electricity – DC, AC, light and waves, and atomic physics will be covered. Concepts will be covered theoretically and practically where possible. Emphasis will be placed on the solution of problems and the description of physical phenomena.
ASSESSMENT: Level 3 Achievement Standards - 3 credits internally assessed, 16 credits externally assessed
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Workbook purchase online from Officemax