Biology

Biology provides opportunities for students to engage with living systems.  It aims to develop students respect for all living things and the environment, their understanding of how biological systems interact and how they are interrelated.  It gives students the opportunity to plan and carry out fieldwork, laboratory and other research investigations and the ability to use sound, evidence-based arguments along with the ability to communicate biological findings and conclusions.

It is a General subject suited to students who are interested in pathways beyond school that lead to tertiary studies, vocational education or work.   It is assumed that students have prior knowledge of the P–10 Australian Curriculum:   Science to year 10.  The subject can earn up to 4 QCE points and contributes to an ATAR.

Course content

• cells and multicellular organisms
• maintaining the internal environment
• biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life
• heredity and continuity of life.

Year 11

Year 12

Special Features

Biology offers opportunities for students to complete activities outside the classroom to conduct research and perform skills, there are a number of mandatory experiments that involve field work.

In both year 11 and 12 the course comprises 3 internal assessments weighted at 10%, 20% and 20% and an exam, which in year 12 is an external exam weighted at 50 %

Career pathways

• medicine
• forensics
• veterinary
• food and marine sciences
• agriculture
• biotechnology
• environmental rehabilitation
• biosecurity
• quarantine
• conservation
  
• sustainability