2BIO
This course requires 2 options.

Level 2 Biology / Mātauranga Koiora

Subject Description

Teacher in Charge: Mr R. Baars.

Biology is the study of living things, how they function, and how they are connected. Many of the big issues facing society today have a biological component; for example: antibiotic resistance, climate change, pandemics, extinction, management of both endangered species and invasive pests/weeds, food production, individual and population health, etc. In this course, you will refine the biological skills and knowledge you developed in Year 11 and build a foundation for further study in this subject.

Subject Overview

Term 1
Community patterns - exploring why things grow there they do and how they are adapted to grow there. This involves a 3-day trip to Temple Basin Ski Area, including time for data collection on plant distribution along an altitudinal gradient (B2.6 Community Patterns) and also for a second internally assessed Standard (B2.1 Investigation).

Term 2
Cells - linking form to function for these building blocks of life, as well as the life-sustaining processes that they carry out and the factors that affect them.

Term 3
Genetic variation and change - you know this as evolution.

Term 4
This is a combination of revision and there is also the possibility of completing an internally assessed option for those students who do not want to attempt two papers in the external exam.
Note that whichever option you choose, you will only be assessed using four standards, for a total of 15 credits.

Recommended Prior Learning

14 credits at NCEA Level 1 in Science, including Achieved for Achievement Standard Science 1.9, OR Merit for Science 1.11, OR by consultation with Mr. Baars.

Approximate Costs and Equipment/Stationery

Voluntary contribution of $240.00 for 3-day trip to Temple Basin - final cost TBC (depending on transport costs).

Pathway

The concepts you learn at Level 2 will be developed further at Level 3. That is also where we explore some of the exceptions to the rules!

Career Pathways

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

Total Credits Available: 19 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 8 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 11 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91153 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context, with supervision
4
4
4
4
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91155 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.3 - Demonstrate understanding of adaptation of plants or animals to their way of life
3
3
3
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91156 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.4 - Demonstrate understanding of life processes at the cellular level
Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4w
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91157 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change
Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4w
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91158 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.6 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 19
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 8
Total Numeracy Credits: 0