Biology
Biology in Stage 6 science furthers students’ knowledge and understanding of the living world strand in Science K–10 by engaging in biological concepts and explaining the origins and evolution and life on earth.
The biology syllabus focuses on the evolution of life in a contemporary Australian context, focusing on Australian flora and fauna. There is an emphasis on field work and biological surveying, including performing practical investigations to explain how systems work, including population dynamics and present and future ecosystems. Students also have opportunities to engage in human biology and explore genetics and both infectious and non-infectious disease.
Support materials for the new biology syllabus
The following support materials may be adapted by teachers to meet the individual needs of their schools. They will be published progressively in Term 4 2017. The support materials were developed by NSW public school teachers as part of the Stage 6 mEsh project where 62 teachers led writing teams (over 150 teachers) across NSW.
Units of work
- 11BIO module 1: cells as the basis of life sample unit of work (DOCX 53KB)
- 11BIO module 2: organisation of living things sample unit of work (DOCX 55KB)
- 12BIO module 5: heredity sample unit of work (DOCX 49KB) – updated 16 February 2018 based on errata for the Stage 6 biology syllabus
- 12BIO module 7: infectious disease sample unit of work (DOCX 48KB)
Scope and sequence
Assessment tasks
General resources
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in Stage 6 science (DOCX 55KB)
- Investigation planning scaffold (DOCX 44 KB)
- Risk analysis table (DOCX 45KB)
- Scientific thinking scaffold (DOCX 44KB)
- Self assessment strategy (DOCX 45KB)
- Student reflection on investigations (DOCX 149KB)
- Working scientifically skills checklist (DOCX 47KB)
Using data loggers in Stage 6 biology (DOC 50.8KB) provides advice and suggestions on where the use of data loggers and sensors are appropriate.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) have support resources such as sample units and assessment schedules for the new biology syllabus (HSC 2019 onwards) and the biology syllabus (HSC 2018).