FIELD                 SCIENCES

 

Review of Biology unit standards

 

Subfield

Domain

Id

Science

Biology

8092-8094, 8096-8099, 8102, 8103, 8105, 8106, 9224-9241, 12812, 12813

 

The NZQA National Qualifications Services has completed the review of the unit standards listed above.

 

Date new versions published                                                          May 2010

 

Planned review date                                                                           December 2015

 

Summary

 

Unit standards in the Biology domain have been reviewed as part of the planned NQS cycle for maintaining standards.

 

Feedback from users of these unit standards indicated a need to increase the practical component of the unit standards for them to be nationally endorsed and fit for purpose.  The review panel met in September and November 2009 and considered feedback.  There were no issues identified with the reviewed standards.  The review panel and consultation network included representation from secondary, tertiary, and industry training organisations.  Changes were made to the unit standards and distributed for comment in February 2010 and there was no objection to the changes made through this review. 

 

Main changes

 

·         Special notes relating to legislation and references were updated.

·         Titles of unit standards 8096-8098 were amended.

·         Credit allocation for unit standards 8105, 9227, and 9228 has increased to better reflect the learning, practice and assessment time required to meet the standard.

·         Credit allocation for unit standard 9225 has decreased to better reflect the learning, practice and assessment time required to meet the standard.

·         Unit standard 8096 was reclassified from domain Biology to domain Science - Core.

·         New unit standard 26420 was developed to assess tissue sampling and histological slide preparation and examination.

·         Unit standards 8093, 8099, 8103, 8106, 9224, 9229-9241 were expired as there was low tertiary usage and industry no longer required these standards.

·         Unit standards 8105, 90225, and 9228 have been replaced by unit standards 26509, 26510, and 26511 respectively.

 

Category C and D unit standards will expire at the end of December 2012

 

Impact on existing accreditations

 

Current Accreditation for

Accreditation extended to

Nature of accreditation

Classification or ID

Level

Nature of accreditation

Classification or ID

Level

Domain

Biology

4

Standard

8096

4

Standard

9225

4

Standard

26510

4

 

Impact on Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP)

 

None.

 

Impact on registered qualifications

 

The National Diploma in Science (Level 6) with optional strands in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology/Biochemistry [Ref: 0235] requires the selection of credits from the Biology domain.  The outcome of this review has affected the achievability of this qualification and it will be updated when it is reviewed in 2010. 

 

Detailed list of unit standards - classification, title, level, and credits

 

All changes are in bold.

 

Subfield         Science

Id

Domain

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

8096

Biology

 

Science - Core

Undertake a comparative biological experiment with guidance

Conduct a scientific experiment with guidance

4

5

B

 

Subfield         Science

Domain          Biology

Id

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

8092

Measure plant physiological processes

6

4

B

8093

Demonstrate understanding of plant physiological processes

6

8

D

8094

Measure animal physiological processes

6

4

B

8097

Undertake field sampling and measurements of plants

Analyse field measurements of plants

5

4

B

8098

Undertake field sampling and measurements of animals

Analyse field measurements of animals

5

4

B

8099

Identify flora and fauna

4

2

D

8102

Explain genetic change

5

6

B

8103

Demonstrate knowledge of biological issues relating to resource management

6

3

D

8105

 

26509

Explain the principles of evolution and bio-geography

Explain biodiversity of New Zealand

4

 

4

3

 

4

C

8106

Examine and describe seed plant structure

6

5

D

9224

Demonstrate knowledge of communication and control systems in animals

6

8

D

9225

26510

Demonstrate knowledge of ecosystems

Demonstrate knowledge of ecosystems

4

4

6

4

C

9226

Demonstrate knowledge of biological diversity

Demonstrate knowledge of plant and animal characteristics

4

4

B

9227

Demonstrate knowledge of plant tissues

4

3

4

B

9228

26511

Demonstrate knowledge of animal tissues

Demonstrate knowledge of animal tissues

4

4

3

4

C

9229

Demonstrate knowledge of embryology and organ formation

4

2

D

9230

Demonstrate knowledge of animal behaviour

5

3

D

9231

Demonstrate knowledge of Monera, Protista and Fungi

5

4

D

9232

Demonstrate knowledge of Plantae

5

4

D

9233

Demonstrate knowledge of invertebrate animals

5

4

D

9234

Demonstrate knowledge of Chordata

5

4

D

9235

Demonstrate knowledge of reproduction in animals

6

4

D

9236

Demonstrate knowledge of support and movement in animals

6

3

D

9237

Demonstrate knowledge of homeostasis of body fluids in animals

6

3

D

9238

Demonstrate knowledge of gas exchange in animals

6

3

D

9239

Demonstrate knowledge of circulation in animals

6

5

D

9240

Demonstrate knowledge of food intake and utilisation in animals

6

4

D

9241

Demonstrate knowledge of plant pathology

6

12

D

12812

Describe eukaryotic cell structure and function

4

5

B

12813

Demonstrate knowledge of the biochemistry of cells

4

5

B

26420

Perform histological techniques

5

4

New