Senior Science Courses - Hutt International Boys' School

NCEA Level 1

Science Alternative (SCA) - NCEA Level 1

Minimum Entry Standard: Year 10 Science.

The Applied course provides students with a basic understanding of Science. It covers the Physics in motion, including Newton’s Laws, energy and power. In Chemistry, it covers atomic particles that make the atom, and what happens when atoms collide. Students gain an understanding of acids and bases. The Biology unit looks at microscopic life - micro-organisms, bacteria, fungus and virus. It looks at how these are useful to us and why some cause disease. A course for those students with an interest in Science, but who do not want to specialise.

Course Content: refer to the senior curriculum handbook to review the achievement standards offered in this course

Progression to NCEA Level 2:

To study BIOLOGY at Level 2 it will be necessary to have achieved 16 credits in the Science Applied Level 1 Course including Merit in the Biology Achievement Standard Biology 1.3.

To study CHEMISTRY at Level 2 it will be necessary to have achieved 16 credits in the Science Applied Level 1 Course including Merit in the Chemistry Achievement Standard Science 1.5.

To study PHYSICS at Level 2 it will be necessary to have achieved 16 credits in the Science Applied Level 1 Course including Merit in the Physics Achievement Standard Science 1.1. Progression to Level 2 may also be achieved in consultation with the HOD Science.

To study CHEMISTRY or PHYSICS at Level 2 a student will also need to be studying the Level 2 Mathematics course.

FAQ:

1. Is Science a compulsory subject in Year 11?
Yes.

2. How do I decide which Year 11 Science course would be the best one for me?
You don’t. All Year 10 students are ranked according to their year mark and then placed in the appropriate Level 1 Science classes accordingly.

3.What do we learn about in Year 11 Specialised Science?
This course introduces students to the three main disciplines in Science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In Biology, we study Genetics and investigate the role that microorganisms play in the production of food. Chemistry has a focus on chemical reactions between elements and solutions and on the study of Organic Chemistry. Physics has a focus on Electricity and Magnetism and on practical investigations involving measurements of electrical circuits.

4.What do we learn about in Year 11 Core Science?
This course provides students with a basic understanding of Science. It covers the physics of motion, including Newton’s Laws, energy, power and pressure. In Chemistry, it covers the subatomic particles that make up an atom and what happens when atoms collide. Students also gain an understanding of acids and bases. The Biology unit looks at microscopic life - microorganisms, bacteria, fungi and viruses.

5.How many credits do I need to study Year 12 Physics next year?
16 credits in total including Achievement grades in the two Physics Achievement Standards.

6.How many credits do I need to study Year 12 Chemistry next year?
16 credits in total including Achievement grades in the two Chemistry Achievement Standards.

7.How many credits do I need to study Year 12 Biology next year?
16 credits in total including Achievement grades in the two Biology Achievement Standards.

8.Can I study Senior Science subject courses if I’m enrolled into the Year 11 Core Science course?
Yes, provided you gain 16 credits in total including Merit grades for the two Achievement Standards relating to the Year 12 course you wish to study.

9. Can I study more than one Science next year?
Yes!!

Science (SCI) - NCEA Level 1 (Specialised Science Course)

Minimum Entry Standard: A satisfactory level of achievement in Year 10 Science.

As the name suggests this course introduces the students to the main three disciplines of Science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. DNA, genes and the basic building blocks of all life are looked at in Biology which focuses on Genetics and inherited characteristics. Chemistry has a focus on chemical reactions between elements or solutions and on reactions involving organic molecules. Physics of practical electricity and its fundamental link with magnetism is studied. This course is for those with an interest in Science, and wanting to specialise in one or more branches in Year 12 and 13 leading to studying Engineering, Health Sciences, Architecture, etc. at University.

Course Content: refer to the senior curriculum handbook to review the achievement standards offered in this course

Progression to NCEA Level 2:

To study BIOLOGY at Level 2 it will be necessary to have achieved 16 credits in the Science Level 1 Specialised Course including Achievement in the two Biology Achievement Standards Science 1.11 and Science 1.9.

To study CHEMISTRY at Level 2 it will be necessary to have achieved 16 credits in the Science Level 1 Specialised Course including Achievement in the two Chemistry Achievement Standards Science 1.8 and Chemistry 1.3.

To study PHYSICS at Level 2 it will be necessary to have achieved 16 credits in the Science Level 1 Specialised Course including Achievement in the two Physics Achievement Standards Physics 1.1 and Physics 1.3.

To study CHEMISTRY or PHYSICS at Level 2 it is highly recommended that a student also studies the Level 2 Mathematics course.

NCEA Level 2

Biology (BIO) - NCEA Level 2

Minimum Entry Standard: 16 credits in Level 1 Specialised Science including Achievement in Science 1.11 and Science 1.9, or 16 credits in the Level 1 Science Alternative course including Merit in Science 1.3.

Life is incredibly varied, yet based on common processes. Biologists – and students studying biology – seek evidence to explain the nature of living things, and to understand where and how life is evolving, how evolution links life processes and ecology, and the impact that humans have on all forms of life.

Through learning in biology, students discover that life involves interactions at all levels of organisation: cells interact with their environment and with each other, so do organs, organisms and ecosystems. No living thing exists in isolation from its environment.

Course Content: refer to the senior curriculum handbook to review the achievement standards offered in this course

Progression to NCEA Level 3: To study Biology at Level 3 it will be necessary to have achieved 16 credits in Level 2 Biology or in consultation with the HOD Science and TIC Biology.

FAQ:

1.What do we learn about in Year 12 Biology?
The three topics are Cell Biology (where we learn about the function of the structures inside the cell), Gene Expression (how Genes on the DNA cause organisms to have characteristics) and Genetic Variation (Genes and the environment causes populations pass certain characteristics on through the generations).

2.What are the requirements to take Level 2 Biology?
You are required to have passed 16 Level 1 Science Credits at least four of which are the Genetics external or Microbes internal.

Chemistry (CHE) – NCEA Level 2

Minimum Entry Standard: 16 credits in Level 1 Specialised Science including at least Achievement in the Science 1.8 and Chemistry 1.3, or 16 credits in the Level 1 Science Alternative course including Merit in Science 1.5. The Level 2 Mathematics course is highly recommended to be taken in conjunction with this course.

Chemistry is the study of the nature, behaviour and properties of substances. This subject will help students understand the modern world and the way in which materials and chemical processes interact with the environment and the changes it undergoes. This is a practically based course and is intended to develop the skills and knowledge of the student to understand the behaviour of chemicals.

Chemistry can lead to a diverse range of career options. This can include Engineering, Food Processing, Winemaking, Paints, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Many chemists work in research and development, chemical analysis and today’s environmental monitoring. Many Applied Science tertiary courses, including Health Sciences, require the student to have Level 3 Chemistry.

Course Content: refer to the senior curriculum handbook to review the achievement standards offered in this course

Progression to NCEA Level 3: To study Chemistry at Level 3 it will be necessary to have achieved 15 credits in Level 2 including Achievement Standard 2.1 or in consultation with the HOD Science and TIC Chemistry.

FAQ:

1. What do we learn about in Year 12 Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of the nature, behaviour and properties of chemical substances. It will help students understand the modern world and the way materials and chemical processes interact with the environment and the changes it undergoes. Chemistry is a practically based course and is intended to develop the skills and knowledge of students to understand the behaviour of chemicals.

Physics (PHY) - NCEA Level 2

Minimum Entry Standard: 16 credits in Level 1 Specialised Science including Achievement in both Physics 1.1 and Physics 1.3, or 16 credits in the Level 1 Science Alternative course including Merit in Science 1.1. The Level 2 Mathematics course is highly recommended to be taken in conjunction with this course.

Physics is the study of how our Universe works from the very small (the quantum world) all the way to the very large (the Universe’s large scale structure).

In Year 12 Physics we lay the foundation for further learning. For the External Examinations we look at kinematics including projectile motion, circular motion, momentum and energy. We learn about waves and light phenomena like diffraction and interference, refraction and total internal reflection. The final External unit is about basic electrical phenomena such as electromagnetism and electric and magnetic fields and their applications

In the Internally assessed units we study nuclear physics with focus on the atom at radioactivity, before moving on to learn about the processes of nuclear fission and fusion. Finally, we complete a practical assessment to help develop students’ scientific skills.

Course Content: refer to the senior curriculum handbook to review the achievement standards offered in this course

Progression to NCEA Level 3: To study Physics at Level 3 it will be necessary to have achieved 19 credits in Level 2 or in consultation with the HOD Science and TIC Physics.

FAQ:

1. What do we learn about in Year 12 Physics?
Physics is the study of how our Universe works from the very small (the quantum world) all the way to the very large (the Universe’s large scale structure).

2. Do I have to take Calculus to enroll into Year 12 Physics?
The Level 2 Mathematics (Calculus) course is highly recommended, however Level 2 Mathematics with Statistics would suffice.

3. How many credits do I need to study Year 13 Physics next year?
19 credits

NCEA Level 3

Biology (BIO) - NCEA Level 3

Minimum Entry Standard: 16 credits in Level 2 Biology or in consultation with the HOD Science and TIC Biology.

Course Content: refer to the senior curriculum handbook to review the achievement standards offered in this course

FAQ:

1.What do we learn about in Year 13 Biology?
The three topics are Animal and Plant responses (animals and plants have specific features and behaviours that allow them to survive in their environment), Evolutionary Processes (how different species came to exist) and Human Evolution (the processes that caused humans to display the characteristics that we see today).

2. Can I take Year 13 Biology without completing the Year 12 course?
Yes, it is possible, but will require a huge input over the summer holidays to catch up on some essential basic skills learnt in Year 12.
Students that find the Level 3 course the most interesting and perform well have passed all three Level 2 externals.

3. Do I have to take Biology to study Health Science and Veterinary Sciences/Nursing?
Biology is a required/highly recommended subject at the various New Zealand universities to take at Level 3 if you want to study Health Science and Veterinary Sciences/Nursing.

Chemistry (CHE) – NCEA Level 3

Minimum Entry Standard: 15 credits in Level 2 Chemistry including Achievement Standard 2.1.

Course Content: refer to the senior curriculum handbook to review the achievement standards offered in this course

FAQ:

1. What do we learn about in Year 13 Chemistry?
Year 13 Chemistry builds on the ideas and concepts from Year 12 Chemistry about the nature, behaviour and properties of chemical substances. It will help students understand the modern world and the way materials and chemical processes interact with the environment and the changes it undergoes.

2. Can I take Year 13 Chemistry without completing the Year 12 course?
No, the Year 13 course builds on concepts learnt in the Year 12 course, only in exceptional circumstances can students enter directly into Year 13. To study Chemistry at Level 3 students must achieve 15 credits (from 20) at Level 2.

Physics (PHY) - NCEA Level 3

Minimum Entry Standard: 17 credits in Level 2 Physics.

Physics is the study of how our Universe works from the very small (the quantum world) all the way to the very large (the Universe’s large scale structure).

Course Content: refer to the senior curriculum handbook to review the achievement standards offered in this course

FAQ:

1. What do we learn about in Year 13 Physics?
We continue our study of motion, dealing with rotating systems, satellite motion, momentum in two dimensions and simple harmonic motion. We also extend students’ knowledge of electrical systems as we learn about capacitors and AC circuits. The third external is again focused on light, but this time looking at diffraction patterns, standing waves and their importance for musical instruments and the Doppler Effect.

2. Can I take Year 13 Physics without completing the Year 12 course?
No, the Year 13 course builds on concepts learnt in the Year 12 course.