12BIO

NCEA Level 2 Biology

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mr V. Pygott.

In this course, students will be learning biological concepts including; Genetics - which focuses on how genes are expressed and how the genetic codes produce the phenotypes seen in organisms. Ecology - the students will be learning about community organisation and dynamics. They will be going to the rocky shore to carry out detailed observations. Life processes - how organisms live in extreme environments. The students will be carrying out and reporting on a practical investigation. Some students will be given the opportunity to learn Cell Biology - looking at how cells function and stay alive. Those who get Excellence in Level 1 External Standards will be given the opportunity to start Scholarship Biology and do the Level 3 Human Evolution External standard.

Course Overview

Term 1
Bio 2.6 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community with supervision.
Sci 2.4 - Investigate how organisms survive in an extreme environment.

Term 2
Bio 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change.
Bio 2.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context, with supervision.

Term 3
Bio 2.7 - Demonstrate understanding of gene expression.

Bio 2.4 - Demonstrate understanding of life processes at the cellular level.
Revision of External Standards.

Term 4
Revision of External .

Recommended Prior Learning

14 Level 1 Biology or Level 1 Science credits. All Science courses can be accessed with the HOD Science permission, which will be subject to prior academic performance. A good level of English is recommended.

Pathway

Students who take biology typically go into:
Health-related careers - doctors, dentists, nurses, physiotherapy, medical or genetic research.
Animal-related careers - farming, aquaculture, fisheries, veterinary, veterinary assistants, and animal husbandry.
Plant-related careers - horticulture, arborist (working with trees), landscaping, and gardening.
Environment-related careers - conservation, environmental science, helping NZ to become predator-free, having clean waterways and oceans, improving marine reserves or local and national parks.

Credit Information

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

Total Credits Available: 20
Internal Assessed Credits: 8
External Assessed Credits: 12
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


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
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
A.S. 91159 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 2.7 - Demonstrate understanding of gene expression


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 20
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 8
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Disclaimer

Rosmini College's timetable is student-driven and a new timetable is generated each year based on student subject selection. Unfortunately, while we do our best to avoid them, timetabling clashes may still occur and a few students may be required to choose an alternative subject option.

The 2025 timetable, including the number of classes in each subject and staffing allocations, is created based on student selections made in 2024. Because of this, changing subjects at the beginning of 2025 may not be possible. Please, make your subject choices carefully.