Biology
Module guides, sample programs, teaching activities, sample assessment tasks and exam questions and general resources assisting you in preparing programs, units of work and lesson plans.
The Stage 6 module guides for Year 11 and 12 biology are high-quality curriculum resources that highlight best practices for science teaching. They were developed in collaboration with experienced science teachers.
The module guides:
- contain contemporary ideas about teaching and learning science in high school
- emphasise scientific inquiry
- are structured around the Big Ideas of Science
- equip classroom teachers with pedagogical content knowledge for the biology course.
The following support materials may be adapted by teachers to meet the individual needs of their schools.
Teaching activities
- Module 5 polypeptide synthesis lesson (DOCX 83 KB)
- Module 5 DNA replication (DOCX 278 KB)
- Module 5 pedigrees autosomal inheritance (DOCX 600 KB)
- Module 7 transmission of pathogens investigation (DOCX 69 KB)
- Module 7 Infectious disease and agriculture (DOCX 215 KB)
- Module 7 how diseases are transmitted (DOCX 331 KB)
- RNA and SARS-CoV-2 (DOCX 3020 KB)
- Black Death – using CER (DOCX 4757 KB)
- Module 8 obesity a non-infectious disease (DOCX 778 KB)
General resources
- Biology resource links (DOCX 74 KB)
- Evaluating scientific data Stage 4 to 6 (DOCX 259 KB)
- Evaluating scientific investigations abridged (DOCX 70 KB)
- Indigenous perspectives (DOCX 59 KB)
- Investigation planning sheet (DOCX 44 KB)
- Risk analysis table (DOCX 45 KB)
- Scientific thinking scaffold (DOCX 44 KB)
- Self assessment strategy met not met I noticed (DOCX 46 KB)
- Student reflection science investigations (DOCX 151 KB)
- Working scientifically skills checklist (DOCX 46 KB)
NESA resources
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) have support resources including sample units and assessment schedules for the Biology Stage 6 Syllabus (2017).
Resources available outside the department
All links are provided as a suggestion.
Although this page may contain links to third party websites and resources, the NSW Department of Education is not responsible for the condition or content of these sites or resources as they are not under the control of the department.
- sciencing.com – Storing energy during photosynthesis
- asknature.org – Converting solar energy into chemical energy
- nature.com/scitable – Cell energy and cell functions
- ABC Education – How do cells get energy and what is photosynthesis? (Duration: 2:10)
- coursera.org – Origins – Formation of the Universe, Solar System, Earth and Life
- manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth – Further Investigations: Change Over Time
- nytimes.com/section – Will it happen again? Examining mass extinctions on earth
- worldatlas.com – Timeline Of Mass Extinction Events On Earth
- Planet Doc Full documentaries – Sixth Mass Extinction (Full Documentary) (duration 50:17)
- Habitabilitylab – Major Life Extinctions Events (duration 1:10)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries – Geologic 2. NSW karst environments – the treasure chest of time
- eh-resources.org – Reconstructing past climates
- Aboriginal Rock Paintings
It is strongly suggested and advised to contact your local AECG for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and information.
- ghr.nlm.nih.gov – What are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)?
- SNPs – Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (Better Explained) (Duration 1:13)
- Single nucleotide polymorphism SNP (Duration 5:11)
- learn.genetics.utah.edu – Making SNPs Make Sense
- Define polymorphism
- Define SNP
- Gene Flow & Genetic Drift in Evolution (duration 9:17)
- differencebetween.com – Difference Between Genetic Drift and Gene Flow
- Bozeman science – Genetic drift (duration 11:28)
- Genetic Drift, Gene Flow, and Types of Natural Selection (duration 4:03)
- ck12.org/student – Disruption of Homeostasis – Advanced
- Khan Academy – Homeostasis
- Bozeman science – Homeostatic Disruptions (duration 8:05)
RACGP – An introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health cultural protocols and perspectives outlines appropriate and respectful engagement with and teaching of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander intellectual and cultural property.
It is strongly suggested and advised to contact your local AECG for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and information.
Syllabus
Please note:
Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from Science Biology Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2021.