Senior Science

Life Processes and Sustainable Science       

Full Year Course 

Course Description

This course provides a good foundation for those interested in learning how science affects what crops and meat are produced in NZ, followed by its link to businesses in Agriculture and Horticulture, which make up a big proportion of New Zealand’s economy ($16 billion annually). Students will learn how life processes such as photosynthesis and germination affect the quality of NZ crops, and why Beef and Milk production are produced only in certain regions of NZ. Students will learn the basics of soil health and understand why it is important for growing crops in the paddock or a community vegetable garden. Lastly, students will recognise the importance of growing crops and rearing livestock using sustainable practices that demonstrate Tiakitanga and Manaakitanga for our whenua and livestock.

Recommended Prior Learning: Year 10 Science

Contact Teacher: Simone Thomas

Outcomes

• Endorsement available: Yes

• Internal credits: 11

• External credits: 9

• Total credits: 20

Possible next steps: This course is good preparation for those students wishing to take Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics at Level 2 and beyond. 

Course outline 2025

Exploring Energy in Science       

Full year course

This course provides a foundation for those interested in learning more about the behaviour of cars and rockets, as well as everyday phenomena such as energy transfer in relation to exploring the universe. The Planet Earth and Beyond strand explores the dynamic relationships that exist within the taiao (the Earth system) and the interconnections between Earth’s subsystems of the geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life). Also covered are the cyclical interactions between the Earth, the Sun and the Moon.

Recommended Prior Learning: Year 10 Science

Contact Teacher: Richard Thomson

Outcomes

• Endorsement available: Yes

• Internal credits: 10

• External credits:10

• Total credits: 20

Possible next steps: This course is good preparation for those students wishing to take Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics at Level 2 and beyond. 

Course outline 2025

Science of Particles, and You    

Full Year Course

Course Description

Students learn about the microorganisms that they interact with on a daily basis.  We explore chemical reactions and where we see these in our everyday lives.  Genetics and the study of inheritance and variation teach students about the power of DNA.  Properties of materials allow students to think about why we use particular materials for a specific purpose.

Recommended Prior Learning: Year 10 Science

Contact Teacher:  Anna Greaney

Outcomes

• Endorsement available: Yes

• Internal credits: 11

• External credits: 9

• Total credits: 20

Possible next steps: This course is good preparation for those students wishing to take Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics at Level 2 and beyond. 

Course Outline 2025

Scientific Claims in a Changing World     

Full year course

In this course, students will learn about a wide range of concepts and ideas, including examining the health of the waterways surrounding the Porirua Harbour and Pāuatahanui Inlet. Students will also carry out a variety of investigations to discover the effects that rising sea levels will have on Aotearoa, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. We will also learn about how scientific ideas change and evolve over time and the reasons why. Students will also learn skills to help them distinguish credible science from misinformation and the importance of considering a range of perspectives on socio-scientific issues.

Recommended Prior Learning: Year 10 Science

Contact Teacher: Cherith Telford

Outcomes

• Endorsement available: Yes

• Internal credits: 10

• External credits: 10

• Total credits: 20

Possible next steps: This course is good preparation for those students wishing to take Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics at Level 2 and beyond. 

Course Outline 2025

Biology 200          

Full year course    

Students make discoveries in areas of biology ranging from the macro to the microscopic. They will plan and carry out an individual investigation into an aspect of biology, explore differences in human gas exchange and circulation, and go on a field trip to explore community patterns in Takahē distribution and learn about genetic variation and change.

Recommended Prior Learning: 14 Credits in a Level 1 Science course or with HOF approval

Contact Teacher:  Jennie Scott

Outcomes

• Endorsement available:  Yes

• Internal credits:  11

• External credits:  4

• Total credits:  15

• UE Reading credits: 0

• UE Writing credits: 4

• Numeracy credits: 0

Possible next steps: Biology 300; Environment & Life Science 300

Course Outline 2025

Chemistry 200                    

Full year course

Students explore chemical processes and gain an understanding of chemical concepts and major patterns of chemical behaviour. Topics covered include atomic structure, inorganic chemistry, quantitative chemistry, thermochemical and equilibrium principles as well as oxidation and reduction.

Recommended Prior Learning: 14 Credits in a Level 1 Science course or with HOF approval.

Contact Teacher: Anna Greaney

Outcomes

• Endorsement available:  Yes

• Internal credits:  10

• External credits:  9

• Total credits:  19

• UE Reading credits:  0

• UE Writing credits:  0

Possible next steps: Chemistry 300

Course Outline 2025

Physics 200    

Full year course

Students develop their understanding of the physical world by conducting research and practical investigations into different aspects of physics. Topics include mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, light and waves.

Recommended Prior Learning: 14 Credits in a Level 1 Science course or with HOF approval

Contact Teacher: Richard Thomson

Outcomes

• Endorsement available:  Yes

• Internal credits:  10

• External credits:  16

• Total credits: 26

• UE Reading credits:  0

• UE Writing credits: 0

Possible next steps: Physics 300

Course Outline 2025

Science 200         

Full year course

This course is perfect if you enjoy Science but don’t want to commit to one particular domain.  This course offers four internally assessed achievement standards from the Level 2 Earth and Space Science and Chemistry domains. Although no assessments are technically from the Biology domain, Biological concepts will be covered in ESS 2.1 and ESS 2.4 teaching.  This subject is designed for students who require some background in science for future careers. The standards covered in this course are below. However, there is the possibility of completing an extra internal. 

Recommended Prior Learning:  Science Level 1. It cannot be taken with any other Level 2 Science except with HOD approval.

Contact Teacher: Cherith Telford

Outcomes

• Endorsement available:  No

• Internal credits:  14

• External credits:  0

• Total credits: 14

• UE Reading credits: 0

• UE Writing credits:  0

Possible next steps: Environmental and Life Science 300

Course Outline 2025

Biology 300      

Full year course

Explore the intricate world of biology through hands-on investigations and in-depth studies. In this course, students will: 

• Conduct a valid practical investigation to examine the impact of an abiotic factor on a chosen organism, experimenting with slaters and their responses to different factors.

• Gain a deep understanding of how animals and plants adapt to their external environments, covering topics such as intraspecific and interspecific relationships, orientation, and timing responses.

• Investigate and discuss the physiological processes that enable humans to maintain a stable internal environment, learning about water regulation, glucose regulation, body temperature, and blood pressure.

• Compare living and extinct hominins, analysing changes in skull and skeleton structures related to bipedalism, tool and fire use, and the dispersal of modern humans.

• Research and report on a chosen contentious biological issue, considering the biological concepts, social and ethical implications, and diverse viewpoints.

This comprehensive course allows students to delve into various aspects of biology, preparing them for further studies and careers in the biological sciences.

Recommended Prior Learning:  14 Credits in BIO200  or with HOF approval 

Contact Teacher:  Denesha Chetty

Outcomes

• Endorsement available:  Yes

• UE Approved: Yes

• Internal credits:  10

• External credits:  9

• Total credits:  19

• UE Reading credits:  15

• UE Writing credits:  9

Possible next steps: Tertiary study

Course outline 2025

Chemistry 300                                 

Full year course

This course aims to develop the ability to problem-solve and apply key practical skills to new situations. Topics covered are oxidation-reduction reactions and electrochemical cells, thermochemistry, structure and bonding and energy,  spectroscopy,  organic chemistry and writing a chemistry report. Students who require all three external standards must prepare aqueous chemistry in their own time.

Recommended Prior Learning: 14 Credits in CHE200  or with HOF approval 

Contact Teacher:  Anna Greaney

Outcomes

• Endorsement available:  Yes

• UE Approved: Yes

• Internal credits:  9

• External credits:  10

• Total credits:  19

• UE Reading credits:  3

• UE Writing credits:  3

Possible next steps: Tertiary study

CHE300 Course Outline 2025

Physics 300      

Full year course

Students continue developing practical skills and understanding the physical world around them. Areas of study include mechanics, waves, electricity and electromagnetism, and atoms, photons, and nuclei.

Recommended Prior Learning: 14 Credits in PHY200  or with HOF approval 

Contact Teacher: Richard Thomson

Outcomes

• Endorsement available: Yes

• UE Approved: Yes

• Internal credits:  13

• External credits: 16

• Total credits:  29

• UE Reading credits:  3

• UE Writing credits:  0

Possible next steps: Tertiary study

Course Outline 2025

Environmental and Life Sciences 300    

Full year course

The Environmental and Life Science course will be co-constructed with students at the start of the year. The theme is environmental science and takes a thematic approach to ensure deeper learning. The course is a science domain for university entrance and includes standards that provide literacy (reading and writing). The course will have standards from the domains of Biology, Chemistry and Earth and Space Science. It will have 1 Biology Standard, 1 Chemistry Standard and 2 ESS standards. The final standard is based on student needs.

Recommended Prior Learning: Open

Contact Teacher: Richard Thomson

Outcomes

• Endorsement available:  Possible

• UE Approved: Yes

• Internal credits:  18

• External credits:  0

• Total credits:  18

• UE Reading credits:  10

• UE Writing credits:  3

Possible next steps: Tertiary study

Course Outline 2025