Stage 1 Biology

Stage 1 Biology  - Length | Semester (10 credits) or Full Year (20 credits)

In Biology students learn about the cellular and overall structures and functions of a range of organisms. They have the opportunity to engage with the work of biologists and to join and initiate debates about how biology impacts on their lives, on society and on the environment.

Students design and conduct biological investigations and gather evidence from their investigations. As they explore a range of biology-related issues, students recognize that the body of biological knowledge is constantly changing and increasing through the applications of new ideas and technologies.

The focus capabilities for this subject are communication and learning.

Content

A program based on the areas of study allows students to develop an understanding of the nature of living things, as well as of the interactions of those living things with members of the same species, with members of other species and with the physical environment.

Especially through practical investigations, such a program also allows an inquiry approach to learning through observation, speculation, prediction, experimentation, analysis, communication (sharing) and confirmation (repetition), which provides confidence in current knowledge.

The social, economic, and ethical consequences of disturbing natural systems, deliberately or inadvertently, should be explored.

Topics

Topic 1: Cellular Biology

·   Cell theory

·   Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell types

·       Cell division

·       Energy (photosynthesis and respiration)

·       Transport of materials

·       Enzymes and metabolic pathways

·   Microorganisms – growth and survival

·   Importance of microbes

·   Food spoilage

Topic 2: Infectious Disease

·   Distinguish between disease types

·   Factors that affect disease spread

·       Control of disease

·       Pathogens

·   Immune system – components, functions and immunity

Topic 3: Multicellular Organisms

·       Hierarchal structure

·       Organ systems

·       Lifestyle choices affect human health

·   Exchange – circulatory and respiratory systems in humans, leaf structure, xylem and phloem in plants

·   Absorption of nutrients – digestive system in humans, root system in plants

·   Removal of wastes – excretory system in humans 

Topic 4: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics

·       Species, community and populations

·       Biodiversity

·       Classification

·   Adaptions

·       Diversity of ecosystems

·   Cycles: water, nitrogen etc

·   Relationships and interactions, keystone species

·       Succession

·   Human impact on ecosystems.

Assessment

Assessment at Stage 1 is school-based. Students demonstrate evidence of their learning through the following assessment types:

 ·   Investigations

·   Folio

·   Skills and Applications Tasks

·   Examinations