13 Biology

13 Biology

Mā te whakaaro nui e hanga te whare; mā te mātauranga e whakaū - Big Ideas create the house; knowledge maintains it

This SPIN will cover a range of biological ideas and concepts, with a focus on the following areas: 

• Human biology: how the human body regulates and maintains organ systems, and how exercise and disease affect these systems. How do diseases such as diabetes impact on our Māori and Pasifika populations?

• Plant responses: how plants respond to and interact with their changing environment. 

• Application of Genetics: how GMOs are created, and what the social, ethical, cultural and biological implications of these manipulations might be. How do Māori view genetic technologies, and what are the implications for our society and legislation?

• Evolution: the general processes of evolution for all species, and the story of human evolution, including the cultural and biological aspects of the human story. How might these compare to whakapapa?

The SPIN will include both internal and external assessment. You will be required to undertake at least one external examination at the end of the year if you wish to gain 14+ credits in BIOLOGY as an approved UE subject. 18+ credits in Biology are available if you undertake 2 external standards in addition to all internal standards. (There is some flexibility in the course, and opportunity to undertake a Sustainability project in lieu of exams - this won’t allow for Biology as an approved subject however). 

You will be required to produce portfolios of work and scientific reports throughout the year and will work in both a collaborative manner as well as independently. You will also be required to plan and carry out investigations, as well as process and analyse data. This will include some mathematical and graphical aspects of data analysis. You will also need to be comfortable with communicating your understanding through extended pieces of writing (essays).