NCEA Level 3 Biology
2017
Course Outline and Assessment Information
NCEA Level 3 (Year 13) Biology 2017
Welcome to Level 3 Biology. We are looking forward to working with you this year and wish you an
interesting and rewarding year of learning.
Biologists and students studying biology want to explain the nature of living things and to
understand where and how life is evolving, how evolution links life processes and ecology, and the
impact that humans have on all forms of life.
This year the Level 3 Biology programme builds on the knowledge and understanding you developed
in Level 2. There are ‘Key concepts’ or big ideas that we hope will remain with you long after you
have left school.
What will I do in Year 13 Biology?
We will provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills that enable you to be
‘scientifically literate’ citizens. You will develop an understanding of how biological theories and
ideas have evolved over time and as technology has improved. You will learn to communicate using
the language of biology when discussing or evaluating biological issues.
What will I learn in Year 13 Biology?
This year you will
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learn about the relationship between organisms and the environment
explore the evolutionary processes that have resulted in the diversity of life on Earth and
appreciate the place and impact of humans within these processes
integrate biological knowledge to make informed judgments about the social, ethical, and
biological implications to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue
carry out an investigation that includes developing your understanding of the relationship
between the investigation and scientific theory
Summary of the Achievement Standards offered in Level 3 Biology 2017
Contribute to UE
Literacy
requirements
Achievement Standard
Topic
Assessment
Credits
91601
Bio 3.1 vs2
Internal
4
91602
Bio 3.2 vs2
Internal
3
Reading &
Writing
91603
Bio 3.3 vs2
External
5
Reading &
Writing
91604
Bio 3.4 vs2
Internal
3
Reading
91606
Bio 3.6 vs2
Carry out a practical investigation
in a biology context, with
supervision
Integrate biological knowledge to
develop an informed response to a
socio-scientific issue
Demonstrate understanding of the
responses of plants and animals to
their external environment
Demonstrate understanding of
how an animal maintains a stable
internal environment
Demonstrate understanding of
trends in human evolution
External
4
Reading &
Writing
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5 Achievement Standards will be offered with a total of 19 credits.
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2 Achievement Standards will be assessed by an external examination. (9 credits)
Tests and task sheets will be given regularly throughout the year to give you practice in
answering questions related to the topics being studied. Formative Tests will be used as
indicators of your progress.
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3 Achievement Standards will be assessed internally during the year (10 credits)
Bio 3.2
Bio 3.4
Bio 3.1
Response to a socio-scientific issue
Homeostasis
Practical Investigation
Weeks 1- 4, Term 2
Weeks 5-9, Term 2
Weeks 1-3, Term 3
(3 credits)
(3 credits)
(4 credits)
Formative Tasks will be given as practice before these Achievement Standards are assessed.
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All Achievement Standard tasks will have a checklist of what is required to attain an Achieved, Achieved
with Merit or Achieved with Excellence.
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Textbooks:
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Literacy
Biozone, Level 8 Biology: Student Workbooks 2017
SciPad, Level 3 Biology
Standards offered in Level 3 Biology contribute to credits in University Entrance Literacy requirements.
Important Information for Internal Assessments
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Absences – It is important that you do not miss any assessments (Internal or External)
except for genuine reasons of sickness, accident or extreme emergencies. Providing a
Medical Certificate from your Doctor must cover absence during an assessment. On your
return to school you will be given the opportunity to do the task for the Achievement
Standard. This will NOT be possible if you choose to go on a family holiday, or similar nonschool related event, at the time of assessment.
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Assessment Policies – Procedures outlined in the School’s Assessment Policy, Authenticity
Policy and the Appeal process apply. Ensure you read these thoroughly and follow all
guidelines. Know your rights and responsibilities.
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Filing – When an Internal assessment task has been marked you will be asked to verify the
sighting and acceptance of the grade awarded by signing the cover sheet. All assessed
work will then be filed at school for security and for moderation by NZQA, if required.
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Assessment – If a ‘Not Achieved’ grade is awarded for an internally assessed Achievement
Standard, there will be no further assessment opportunities in that Achievement Standard.
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If you do not understand the reasons for the final grade you have been awarded you should
initially discuss it with your teacher and then if you still feel an appeal is required go to NCEA
Information and complete an ‘Appeal’ form. Your work will be reassessed in conjunction
with either a colleague or a subject specialist from outside the school. Remember your
reason(s) must relate to the assessment schedule for that task.
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You may be offered the opportunity of a resubmission if your work requires a minor
corrections or change that you may have overlooked and should be able to identify within a
few minutes. Your teacher will approach you prior to the task being handed back to the class
as a whole if this is relevant for you. You will be required to identify and make any changes
immediately. Your teacher is not able to tell you of the specific change required; you must
be able to identify the required change yourself.
 Reminders
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Keep your folder up to date, tidy and well organised. When you have finished studying a
section of work take the notes home and file them using dividers to separate Course
Information / External Achievement Standards / Internal Achievement Standards
Take responsibility for your own learning by keeping accurate, well structured notes.
Be focussed and actively participate in your learning. Take every opportunity to practise and
develop your skills.
Use class time effectively to listen, discuss and question.
Hand in work punctually
Complete formative tasks and take note of the feedback you receive. (oral and/or written)
Take feedback/feed forward on board and use it to further develop your knowledge and
skills.
Ask your teacher if you have any questions about the course and/or assessments.
 Award of Year 13 subject prizes
Top subject awards are determined by the whole year’s academic performance. Award
winners are based on the following criteria:
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The proportion of Excellence grades in Achievement Standards
Completion of a standard at the first attempt, as well as the comparative quality and
quantity of a student’s class work in Achievement Standards.
Completion of all compulsory standards offered in the course.
Completion of all standards to a high level in the school examinations.
Consistent effort made in homework throughout the year.
Satisfactory class attendance throughout the year.
NCEA LEVEL 3 (Year 13) BIOLOGY 2017
Order of Topics & Assessment Dates
Term One
10 weeks
Bio 3.3 (E)
Plant & Animal Responses to the Environment
Formative Assessment
Term Two
10 weeks
Bio 3.2 (I)
Response to a socio-scientific issue
Summative Assessment (3 credits)
Bio 3.4 (I)
Week 11
Week 4
Homeostasis
Summative Assessment (3 credits)
Term Three
9 weeks
Bio 3.1 (I)
Practical Investigation
Week 9
Summative Assessment (4 credits)
Week 4
Examinations
AS 3.3
Weeks 5 & 7
Bio 3.6 (E)
Trends in Human Evolution
Term Four
3 weeks
Bio 3.6 (E) contd
Trends in Human Evolution
Formative Assessment
Revision
Bio 3.3/3.6
NCEA Level 3 Biology Exam
Thursday 16 November (am)
Scholarship Biology Exam
Monday 20 November (am)
Week 2