Biology
Biology learning area contacts:
- Colette Ballantyne : +61 8 9273 6727 | Colette.Ballantyne@scsa.wa.edu.au
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ATAR
The Year 12 ATAR Biology course will be part of the Syllabus Delivery Audit in 2023. Please see the handbook below for further information.
A unique appreciation of life and a better understanding of the living world are gained through studying the Biology ATAR course. This course encourages students to be analytical, to participate in problem-solving and to systematically explore fascinating and intriguing aspects of living systems, from the microscopic level through to ecosystems.
Students develop a range of practical skills and techniques through investigations and fieldwork in authentic contexts, such as marine reefs, endangered species, urban ecology, or biotechnology. Scientific evidence is used to make informed decisions about controversial issues.
- Types of science inquiry investigations
- Also available in Word Format
SyllabusGrading Support Materials- ATAR Syllabus Year 11 - For teaching from 2023 (404.0 KB) Last updated: 15 Aug 2022 9:24am
- ATAR Syllabus Year 11 - For teaching from 2023 (305.0 KB)
- ATAR Year 11 summary of minor syllabus changes for 2023 (116.5 KB) Last updated: 15 Aug 2022 2:14pm
- ATAR Year 11 summary of minor syllabus changes for 2023 (24.3 KB)
- ATAR Syllabus Year 12 - For teaching from 2023 (404.4 KB) Last updated: 15 Aug 2022 9:24am
- ATAR Syllabus Year 12 - For teaching from 2023 (304.3 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 summary of minor syllabus changes for 2023 (570.9 KB) Last updated: 15 Aug 2022 3:30pm
- ATAR Year 12 summary of minor syllabus changes for 2023 (25.3 KB)
Examination Materials- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (328.7 KB) Last updated: 27 Jan 2023 1:12pm
- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (211.7 KB)
- Minor syllabus changes have been made to Year 11 and Year 12 ATAR for implementation in 2023. The support materials are currently being updated to reflect these changes.
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment outline (437.7 KB) Last updated: 17 Oct 2019 3:50pm
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment outline (344.9 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (656.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Jun 2016 3:38pm
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (843.0 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (469.1 KB) Last updated: 18 Oct 2019 10:32am
- ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (354.3 KB)
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (752.9 KB) Last updated: 28 Oct 2019 1:33pm
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (345.6 KB)
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks (477.7 KB) Last updated: 16 Jun 2016 3:45pm
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks (606.0 KB)
- ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (840.5 KB) Last updated: 28 Oct 2019 1:33pm
- ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (355.4 KB)
- 2022 Summary examination report for candidates (116.9 KB) Last updated: 11 Apr 2023 7:56am
- 2022 Acknowledgement variations for ATAR course exams (671.1 KB) Last updated: 11 Apr 2023 11:44am
- 2022 Examination (750.7 KB) Last updated: 24 Feb 2023 12:26pm
- 2022 Marking Key (1017.8 KB) Last updated: 24 Feb 2023 12:26pm
- Additional Past ATAR Course Examinations
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General
The Biology General course provides opportunities for students to develop their scientific skills of curiosity, observation, collection and analysis of evidence in the context of the living world. They conduct practical investigations and have the opportunity to participate in field-based excursions that encourage them to apply what they have learnt to real world situations.
Students explore the diversity of organisms and how scientists make sense of the natural world. A local area study will be conducted to understand the dynamics of ecosystems. They study cells and cell processes, adaptations of organisms and the transition of genetic material to the next generation.
- Types of science inquiry investigations
- Also available in Word Format
SyllabusGrading Support Materials- General Syllabus Year 11 (289.8 KB)
- General Syllabus Year 11 (327.9 KB) Last updated: 11 Dec 2017 2:54pm
- General Syllabus Year 12 (169.0 KB)
- General Syllabus Year 12 (357.8 KB) Last updated: 11 Dec 2017 4:44pm
Externally Set Task Materials 2023- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (328.7 KB) Last updated: 27 Jan 2023 1:12pm
- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (211.7 KB)
- General Year 12 sample assessment outline (725.4 KB) Last updated: 06 Aug 2019 3:57pm
- General Year 12 sample assessment outline (186.8 KB)
- General Year 12 sample assessment tasks (477.8 KB) Last updated: 16 Jun 2016 3:42pm
- General Year 12 sample assessment tasks (952.7 KB)
- General Year 12 sample course outline (836.5 KB) Last updated: 06 Aug 2019 3:57pm
- General Year 12 sample course outline (198.5 KB)
- General Year 11 sample assessment tasks (485.0 KB) Last updated: 18 Oct 2019 10:23am
- General Year 11 sample assessment tasks (471.2 KB)
- General Year 11 sample assessment outline (749.7 KB) Last updated: 18 Oct 2019 10:23am
- General Year 11 sample assessment outline (346.9 KB)
- General Year 11 sample course outline (814.9 KB) Last updated: 18 Oct 2019 10:22am
- General Year 11 sample course outline (354.9 KB)
Externally Set Task Materials 2022- 2023 General EST Unit 3 Content (226.9 KB) Last updated: 21 Sep 2022 3:40pm
Externally Set Task Materials 2021- 2022 General EST Unit 3 Content (324.1 KB) Last updated: 23 Sep 2021 8:43am
Externally Set Task Materials 2020- 2021 BLY General EST Unit 3 content (318.1 KB) Last updated: 24 Sep 2020 1:46pm
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at http://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2019- 2020 General EST Unit 3 Content (318.6 KB) Last updated: 25 Sep 2019 3:49pm
Externally Set Task Materials 2018- 2019 General EST Unit 3 content (179.5 KB) Last updated: 20 Sep 2018 9:50am
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at http://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2017- 2018 General EST Unit 3 content (165.6 KB) Last updated: 22 Sep 2017 12:38pm
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at http://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2016- 2017 General ESTs Unit 3 content (159.6 KB)
- 2017 General ESTs Unit 3 content (178.1 KB) Last updated: 26 Sep 2018 9:25am
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at http://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
- General sample EST (309.7 KB)
- General sample EST (200.1 KB) Last updated: 22 Feb 2019 10:28am
- General sample EST marking key (349.6 KB)
- General sample EST marking key (292.6 KB) Last updated: 22 Feb 2019 10:28am
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Externally set tasks with their associated marking key and work samples are teacher resources and are housed within the Teacher Support Material Extranet. Teachers can login or register for an account at http://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.