Course Information

Year 11 (new syllabus). The smart way to prepare for your HSC.

Modules 1-3: Cells as the Basis of Life; Organisation of Living Things; Biological Diversity

This course is a part of the new Stage 6 Biology Syllabus and provides consolidation of the key content and skills from the three core modules: Cells as the Basis of Life, Organisation of Living Things and Biological Diversity. There is a focus on those cognitive skills needed to access and apply biological knowledge in an HSC assessment context and the higher order thinking needed to increase student achievement towards Band 6.

The workshop allows students to explore and apply biology knowledge and skills, using a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-solving sessions with feedback from teachers. Overall, this course is designed to review key concepts and skills with a view to maximising results in a variety of biology assessment tasks.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• answer a range of questions covering the content, concepts and skills in the module
• critically evaluate your own and others' answers to improve the quality of responses to assessment tasks
• identify the relationships between key concepts in the module
• apply strategies for problem solving to improve the quality and accuracy of responses to assessment tasks
• critically analyse experimental methods and comment meaningfully on validity, reliability and accuracy
• analyse, process and apply quantitative biological data to solve problems.

Content

(Aligned to NESA Syllabus Reference Points)

Selected subtopics within Module 1 Cells as the Basis of Life will be covered:

• Cell Structure
• Cell Function

Selected subtopics within Module 2 Organisation of Living Things will be covered:

• Organisation of Cells
• Nutrient and Gas Requirements
• Transport

Selected subtopics within Module 3 Biological Diversity will be covered:

• Effects of the Environment on Organisms
• Adaptations
• Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
• Evolution – The Evidence

Relevant Skills from the Working Scientifically module will also be covered.

Intended audience

Current Year 11 biology students.

Delivery style

Delivered as a one-day activity-based workshop where you will explore and apply biology knowledge and skills in a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-solving sessions while receiving feedback.

Materials

You will be provided with a course booklet (electronic copy) using Dropbox which covers relevant syllabus dot points for this module.

Bring your own device

You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) and a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged as access to power is limited.

Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.

Getting Through Your HSC: A Practical Guide

While you progress through this journey and also the conclusion of your schooling life, we know you’ll have a lot on your mind – exams, future study, careers – but remember, while keeping focused on these bigger goals and aspirations, it’s also important not to forget your own health and well-being.

For tips on staying motivated and keeping focused, dealing with anxiety, keeping healthy, relaxation, pre-study exercise and more, read our article Getting Through Your HSC: A Practical Guide.