13BIO

13BIO - Biology - NCEA Level 3

Subject Description

Teacher in Charge: Dr I. Thomas, Mrs S. Humphreys.

13 Biology - NCEA Level 3

Course Statement:
Biology is the study of living things and how they interact with each other and the environment.  Students develop an understanding of the diversity of life and life processes, of evolution as the result of life processes and the ecology, and the impact of humans on all forms of life and the environment.  As a result, students are better informed and able to  make reasoned, balanced judgements on some of the biological issues affecting New Zealanders such as vaccination, genetic testing and modification, sustainability and conservation, and protection of our unique flora, fauna and ecosystems. They will also have a greater insight into the workings of their own bodies and an understanding of some of the health issues affecting New Zealanders and on a global basis.
Topics Covered:
  • Evolution processes & speciation; 

  • Human evolution; 

  • How and animal maintains a stable environment - homeostasis,

  • Socio-scientific issues.

  • Practical investigation



Course prerequisites

Entry requirements 2025

Course Skills

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.

This course is approved for University Entrance.

Total Credits Available: 18
Internal Assessed Credits: 10
External Assessed Credits: 8
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91601 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91602 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.2 - Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91604 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91605 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation


Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91606 v2
NZQA Info

Biology 3.6 - Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution


Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 18
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 14
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 18

Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.

Disclaimer

All subjects for 2025 are subject to numbers and staff.