Level 3 Biology

Course Description

What is the Living World? Life is incredibly varied, yet based on common processes. The Level 3 Living World course engages students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills to explain the nature of living things and to understand where and how life evolves. This academic course delves into the Living World concepts that life involves interactions at all levels of organisation from the cellular level through to entire ecosystems. Students will develop an understanding of Biological theories and ideas relating to adaptations, evolution, and inheritance. They will also investigate organisms within their environment, communicating and participating through practical field studies and research presentations. There are a number of opportunities for learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom to make Biological learning authentic and engaging for students. For more information go to the Science Department Website.

Topics Covered

●  Demonstrate an understanding of responses of plants and animals to their external environment (EXT): Orientation in Space: Tropisms, taxes, nastic responses, kineses, homing and migration, Orientation in Time: Annual, daily, tidal, lunar rhythms, Interspecific Relationships: Competition, mutualism, exploitation including predation, parasitism and herbivory, Intraspecific Relationships: Competition, territoriality, hierarchical behaviour, cooperative interactions and reproductive behaviours

●  Demonstrate an understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation (EXT): Role of mutations, gene flow, natural selection and genetic drift, modes of speciation, reproductive isolating mechanisms that lead to speciation, Patterns of divergence, convergence, adaptive radiation, coevolution, punctuated equilibrium, gradualism

●  Demonstrate an understanding of trends in Human evolution (EXT): Human Biological evolution: Bipedalism, skull changes, manipulative ability of the hand, Human Cultural evolution: Use of tools, use of fire, clothing, abstract thought, food gathering, shelter, Patterns of dispersal in hominins

●  Demonstrate an understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment (INT): Homeostasis in thermoregulation, osmoregulation or glucose regulation

●  Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance (INT): A collection of field data and research during a designated trip to identify a pattern seeking behaviour

●  Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue (INT): Ethics related to a New Zealand Biological issue where students are tasked with justifying a position and action on how to address this issue.

Assessment

 This course has 18 credits on offer. Two External assessments (8 credits total) and three internal assessments (10 credits total).

Recommendation for subject entry

14 Credits in Level 2 Biology with at least 4 credits from the External examinations

-OR-

12 Credits in Level 2 English / History / Media Studies / Geography

Course Contributions

$45 - Course contribution towards two Field Trip learning experiences and Biology SCIPAD Workbook

Optional Field Trip to Tongariro - Approximate cost of $500 for 4 days (TBC)

Next Steps

Students who achieve Level 3 Biology can progress further along the Living World pathway. Future career pathways through Senior Biology include Medicine and Health Science, Physiotherapy, Marine Biology, Zoologist, Environmental Scientist or Sport Scientist.