Rationale
Aim
Objective
Biology in Stage 4/5 curriculum mainly introduces Science by explaining models, theories, laws, systems and interactions. An overview of science is given by engaging students in a range of learning experiences that are built on their prior knowledge and giving relevant context, which help students scientifically understand the world. Students are given opportunity to enquire, investigate and develop an appreciation for science. Biology in Stage 6 is built on the knowledge and understanding, skills, values and attitudes developed in Stage 4/5. Students are able to develop an understanding to decide between competing theories and complex relationship between evidences, ideas that have an impact in society.
By drawing reference to Stage 4 knowledge and understanding syllabus outcome, students learn to identify cells, levels of cellular organisation and its function. Further in stage 5 they learn to identify the role of cell division in growth repair and division in multicellular organisms. The stage 6 preliminary course is built on Stage 4/5 and focuses on gaseous exchange and transport systems in plants. This draws students understanding on application and use of science. The HSC course develops on the current theories on movement of materials through plants in Xylem and Phloem.
Aim
The Aim of science syllabus in stage 4/5 is that the students develop an understanding of the phenomena and apply their knowledge and understanding in everyday life, whereas Stage 6 emphasise on applying concepts to environmental, personal, economical and social scenarios. It also critically analyse the opinions and evidences held by others and draw own conclusion based on these evaluation.
Objective
The objective outcome in Stage 4/5 mainly uses lower order verbs like identify and describe, whereas stage 6 uses higher order verbs such as explain and evaluate. In Objective outcome 4.8 students learn the characteristics and features of cells and cell organelles and in 5.8 they learn to link the structure and function of living things to different models, theories and laws. The objective outcome H6 provides students with evidence of how and why the biochemical processes are related to macroscopic changes in the organism. Thus students need to have an elementary knowledge of stage 4/5 in order to proceed to stage 6.
