Year 12 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.

Year 12 Biology aims to give an understanding of some of the fundamental areas of biology such as relationships between organisms and their environment, cell biology, genetics, animal and plant structure/function and biotechnology.

• Practical Ecology: Populations and community patterns; analysis of data from field trips.

• Cellular Processes: Photosynthesis, respiration, enzymes and how cells transport substances.

• Gene Expression: How do we get DNA to gene to protein? DNA and the environment; metabolic pathways; mutations.

• The Functioning Animal: Studies of structure and function of various systems within selected animal groups eg gas exchange systems in insects, fish and mammals. How such systems help to increase survival and reproductive success in the organism’s habitat.

• Genetic variation and change: How genetic variation occurs within populations.

• Rocky Coast Community Patterns: Investigating a pattern in an ecological community on the Wellington Coast - this includes a half day field trip to Point Halswell.

• Life processes at the cellular level: Investigation of transport within cells, enzyme function, respiration, photosynthesis and mitosis.

• Genetic variation and change: Monohybrid inheritance patterns, simple dihybrid inheritance and linked genes, sources of genetic variation and the importance of genetic variation.

• Gene expression: Protein structure and function, protein synthesis, metabolic pathways.

• Animal form and function: Gas exchange systems in a range of organisms - including practical work on fish gills, insect trachea and mammal heart-lun.

Level 2 Biology is currently assessed by three external exams and two compulsory internal assessments (with a third optional internal).

NZQA Level 2 Subject Resourceshttp://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/biology/levels/

School Policy for NCEA Assessment

You should be aware of the school procedures for NCEA assessment. They can be found on the school website at this link. There you will find answers to frequently asked questions about how NCEA works as well as guidance about how to apply for extensions, reconsiderations or the process for withdrawing from a standard.