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Biology

OVERVIEW

Biology is the study of created living organisms. Throughout their studies, students consider life down to the molecular level; amino acids, fatty acids, nucleic acids and saccharides. The understanding of these molecules and their interactions allow students to uncover the intelligent design behind specialised cells, leading to complex organ systems and organisms that make up ecosystems. Hereditary is studied as an application within understanding family histories and how our genetic information effects our physical attributes. This is scaffolded to understanding how humans can selectively breed and manipulate plants and animals to develop greater crop yield for feeding a growing global population.

Through the study of Biology, students discover the irrefutable intelligent design evident in all levels of life from interacting molecules within cellular reactions through to the complexities of maintaining sustainable ecosystems. Through their studies of evolution, students navigate and debate varying worldviews - seeking to understand the biblical truth written in genetic code. Students write ethics essays on key issues such as abortion, IVF, euthanasia, genetic engineering or cloning to develop arguments to speak the biblical truth in these controversial biological arguments.

SUBJECT LENGTH

Each Unit is 1 Semester long. Units 3 & 4 must be completed together in a calendar year for a study score to be generated.

TOPICS INCLUDE

UNIT 1: 

  • How Do Organisms Function?
  • How Do Living Systems Sustain Life?
  • Practical Investigation

UNIT 2: 

  • How Does Reproduction Maintain The Continuity Of Life?
  • How Is Inheritance Explained?
  • Investigation Of An Issue

UNIT 3: 

  • How Do Cellular Processes Work?
  • How Do Cells Communicate?

UNIT 4: 

  • How Are Species Related?
  • How Do Humans Impact On Biological Processes?
  • Practical Investigation

 PREREQUISITES

  • No prerequisites

ASSESSMENT

In Units 1 and 2 a selection of school based assessments including:

  • A report of a fieldwork activity
  • Annotations of a practical work folio of activities or investigations
  • A bioinformatics exercise
  • Data analysis
  • A test comprising multiple choice and/or short answer and/or extended response
  • A report of a student-designed or adapted investigation
  • A report of an investigation into genetics and/or reproductive science
  • Internal examinations

Units 3 and 4

  • School Assessed Coursework Unit 3 (16%)
  • School Assessed Coursework Unit 4 (24%)
  • External Examination (2.5 hours) (60%)