COURSE:  BIOLOGY

Leader of Learning:  Ms Tracy Wade

2 units for each of Year 11 and HSC / Board Developed Course

Course Description:

Biology is the study of living organisms, life processes and interactions between organisms and their environment.

• The Year 11 Course investigates cellular structure and provides a base for understanding the way in which multicellular organisms transport and absorb nutrients and carry out gas exchange. Exploring variations in the structures and functions of organisms provides an understanding of the effects of the environment on living things and how this leads to biodiversity.

• The HSC Course investigates reproduction, inheritance patterns and the causes of genetic variation in both plants and animals. Applications of this knowledge in biotechnology and various genetic technologies are explored in the light of their uses in the treatment, prevention and control of infectious and noninfectious diseases.

Course Content:

The Year 11 course consists of four modules.

• Module 1 Cells as the Basis of Life

• Module 2 Organisation of Living Things

• Module 3 Biological Diversity

• Module 4 Ecosystem Dynamics

The HSC course consists of four modules.

• Module 5 Heredity

• Module 6 Genetic Change

• Module 7 Infectious Disease

• Module 8 Non-infectious Disease and Disorder

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Course Requirements:

Students are provided with 15 hours of course time for Depth Studies in both Year 11 and Year 12 during each year’s 120 indicative hours. During this time students may undertake an investigation/activity that allows for the further development of one or more scientific concepts.

A Depth Study may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities. Depth Studies may be included in one module or across several modules.

Practical investigations are an essential part of the Year 11 and Year 12 courses and must occupy a minimum of 35 hours of course time each year. Fieldwork is mandated in Year 12 and is an integral part of the learning process. These will incur an additional fee of $55.