11BIO - biology

The study of biology connects us to the world we are living in and reminds us of our interconnectedness with all other life forms. It develops awareness of the significance of New Zealand's unique fauna and flora and distinctive ecosystems. It provides opportunities to learn about the processes of all living things. What students learn is directly relevant to our species and environment.

Biology is at the heart of many social and economic issues

By studying biology, you can learn to make more informed decisions about your own health and about significant biological issues such as genetically modified crops, the use of antibiotics, and the eradication of invasive species.

Biologists help New Zealand maintain its position as a leading breeder of new varieties and more efficient/productive plants and animals. Biologists contribute to medical and biotechnological advances.

Biology is at the forefront of ecological issues

Biologists are also at the cutting edge of ecological conservation research. By studying biology, you become much more aware of ecological issues, and better able to debate situations where exploitation of the environment (for example, for farming, mining, or energy production purposes) clashes with conservation objectives, or where we need to develop more sustainable ways of using our natural resources (for example, soil, land, or water).

Learning in biology opens up career opportunities

The following non-exhaustive list suggests the diversity of careers into which graduates in biological science go:

Agronomist, animal behaviour scientist, animal welfare officer, biochemist, biotechnologist, cheese production supervisor, conservation biologist, environmental analyst, environmental ecologist, environmental manager, environmental officer, fisheries scientist, food and drink technologist, forestry technician, genetics technician, marine biologist, meat biochemist, medical sciences technician, nursery grower, plant pathologist, plant physiologist, quarantine officer, research manager, secondary school science teacher, zoologist.

In studying biology, students will investigate and develop their understanding of:

•  the structural features and functions of plants and animals

•  how these relate to life processes eg reproduction and digestion

•  the biological impact of natural and human actions on a New Zealand ecosystem.

Topics

• Flowering Plants: Asexual and sexual reproduction of flowering plants (including dispersal), germination and growth (including development such as flowering, primary and secondary growth and photosynthesis).

• The Effects of Humans on a New Zealand Ecosystem: A study of the effect of introduced species on a native ecosystem.

• Mammals as Consumers: Processing food (physical and chemical digestion, absorption and assimilation, egestion), transport of products of digestion within the body (circulation), use of food at the cell level(respiration).

• Life Processes and Environmental Factors: Life processes: support and movement, reproduction, sensitivity, growth, excretion, nutrition, gas exchange. Environmental factors that affect life processes: temperature, pH, light intensity, moisture levels and nutrient supply.

• A Biological Issue: A biological issue on which people hold different opinions or viewpoints eg immunisation, the use of 1080 to control possums/rats, mining versus conservation, logging versus conservation, hydroelectricity schemes – effect on native ecosystems, sustainability of NZ fisheries.

Course Information

• NZ Ecosystems - An investigation of the biological impact of an event on a New Zealand ecosystem.

• Biological Issues - reporting on a biological issue on which people hold different opinions or viewpoints.

• Life processes - An investigation of life processes and environmental factors that affect them.

• Mammals as consumers - Structure and function of the digestive system,physical and chemical digestion, absorption, assimilation, egestion, transport.

• Flowering to seed dispersal - Reproductive structures and their functions, sexual and asexual reproduction, life cycles, seed structure and dispersal, germination and growth, photosynthesis.

• You will do research - on New Zealand plants and animals and how they are affected by introduced species.

• You will practically investigate the life cycle of flowering plants

• You will practically investigate mammals as consumers.

• You will practically investigate yourself - looking at the effect of exercise of specific life processes.