Biology
Biology learning area contacts:
- Colette Ballantyne : +61 8 9273 6727 | Colette.Ballantyne@scsa.wa.edu.au
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ATAR
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 2024 (307.5 KB) Last updated: 02 Feb 2024 8:30am
- ATAR Syllabus Year 11 - For teaching from 2024 (411.0 KB) Last updated: 02 Feb 2024 8:30am
- ATAR Syllabus Year 12 - For teaching from 2024 (308.3 KB) Last updated: 02 Feb 2024 8:32am
- ATAR Syllabus Year 12 - For teaching from 2024 (409.6 KB) Last updated: 02 Feb 2024 8:32am
Examination Materials- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (328.7 KB) Last updated: 12 May 2025 4:11pm
- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (211.7 KB) Last updated: 28 Jan 2025 7:24am
- 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: 16 Dec 2023 1:57pm
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment outline (344.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:57pm
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (656.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:57pm
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (843.0 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:57pm
- ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (469.1 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:57pm
- ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (354.3 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:57pm
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (395.9 KB) Last updated: 17 Dec 2024 4:10pm
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (353.8 KB) Last updated: 17 Dec 2024 4:11pm
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks (623.1 KB) Last updated: 17 Dec 2024 4:11pm
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks (485.2 KB) Last updated: 17 Dec 2024 4:12pm
- ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (513.6 KB) Last updated: 17 Dec 2024 4:12pm
- ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (380.0 KB) Last updated: 17 Dec 2024 4:13pm
- 2024 Summary examination report for candidates (120.8 KB) Last updated: 11 Apr 2025 12:42pm
- 2024 Examination (602.3 KB) Last updated: 03 Feb 2025 9:33am
- 2024 Marking Key (1006.2 KB) Last updated: 03 Feb 2025 9:33am
- Additional Past ATAR Course Examinations
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General
The General Year 11 Biology course will not be available for teaching from 2025.
The General Year 12 Biology course will not be available for teaching from 2026.
The General Years 11 and 12 Science in Practice course is available for teaching from 2024 in Year 11 and 2025 in Year 12.
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) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:23pm
- General Syllabus Year 11 (327.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:23pm
- General Syllabus Year 12 (169.0 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:23pm
- General Syllabus Year 12 (357.8 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:23pm
- General Syllabus Year 11 - For teaching from 2024 (294.1 KB) Last updated: 02 Feb 2024 8:56am
- General Syllabus Year 11 - For teaching from 2024 (386.5 KB) Last updated: 02 Feb 2024 8:56am
- General Syllabus Year 12 - For teaching from 2024 (177.8 KB) Last updated: 02 Feb 2024 8:56am
- General Syllabus Year 12 - For teaching from 2024 (412.8 KB) Last updated: 02 Feb 2024 8:57am
Externally Set Task Materials 2025- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (328.7 KB) Last updated: 12 May 2025 4:11pm
- Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (211.7 KB) Last updated: 28 Jan 2025 7:24am
- General Year 12 sample assessment outline (725.4 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:49pm
- General Year 12 sample assessment outline (186.8 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:49pm
- General Year 12 sample assessment tasks (477.8 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:49pm
- General Year 12 sample assessment tasks (952.7 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:49pm
- General Year 12 sample course outline (836.5 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:49pm
- General Year 12 sample course outline (198.5 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:49pm
- General Year 11 sample assessment tasks (485.0 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:25pm
- General Year 11 sample assessment tasks (471.2 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:25pm
- General Year 11 sample assessment outline (749.7 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:25pm
- General Year 11 sample assessment outline (346.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:25pm
- General Year 11 sample course outline (814.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:25pm
- General Year 11 sample course outline (354.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:25pm
Externally Set Task Materials 2024- 2025 General EST Unit 3 content (169.8 KB) Last updated: 18 Sep 2024 9:58am
Externally Set Task Materials 2023- 2024 General EST Unit 3 Content (324.0 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:36pm
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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 https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2022- 2023 General EST Unit 3 Content (226.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:10pm
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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 https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2021- 2022 General EST Unit 3 Content (324.1 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 3:32pm
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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 https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2020- 2021 BLY General EST Unit 3 content (318.1 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 3:22pm
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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 https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2019- 2020 General EST Unit 3 Content (318.6 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 3:10pm
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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 https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2018- 2019 General EST Unit 3 content (179.5 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:50pm
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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 https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2017- 2018 General EST Unit 3 content (165.6 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:34pm
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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 https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
Externally Set Task Materials 2016- 2017 General ESTs Unit 3 content (159.6 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pm
- 2017 General ESTs Unit 3 content (178.1 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pm
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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 https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.
- General sample EST (309.7 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:22pm
- General sample EST (200.1 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:22pm
- General sample EST marking key (349.6 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:22pm
- General sample EST marking key (292.6 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:22pm
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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 https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/extranet/login.