Field Sciences
Review of Biochemistry, Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Science - Core unit standards
Subfield |
Domain |
ID |
Science |
Biochemistry |
8043-8060 |
Immunology |
8026, 8031 | |
Molecular Biology |
8061-8070 | |
Science - Core |
8091, 8136, 8442, 8466 |
NZQA National Qualifications Services (NQS) has completed the review of the unit standards listed above.
Date new versions published September 2010
Planned review date December 2015
Summary
Unit standards in the Biochemistry, Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Science - Core domains 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 October and November 2009 and considered feedback. The review panel and consultation network included representation from secondary, tertiary, and industry organisations. Changes were made to the unit standards and distributed for comment in March 2010 and there was no objection to the changes made through this review.
Main changes
· Explanatory notes relating to legislation, references, and ISO standards were updated.
· Credit allocation for unit standards 8059, 8070, and 8466 was increased to better reflect the learning, practice, and assessment time required to achieve the unit standards.
· Credit allocation for unit standards 8044, 8046, and 8050 was decreased to better reflect the learning, practice, and assessment time required to achieve the unit standards.
· Levels of unit standards 8044, 8049, 8050, and 8070 were decreased to better reflect the outcomes of the unit standards.
· Titles of some of the unit standards were amended to better reflect the outcomes in the standards.
· Unit standard 8053 was replaced by unit standards 26487 and 26488.
· Unit standards 8045 and 8047 were replaced by unit standard 26486.
· Unit standards 8061 and 8062 were replaced by unit standard 26493.
· Unit standards 8068 and 8069 were replaced by unit standard 26494.
· Unit standard 8055 was replaced by unit standard 26490.
· Unit standard 8057 was replaced by unit standard 26491.
· Unit standard 8054 was replaced by unit standard 26489.
· Unit standard 8055 was replaced by unit standard 26490.
· Unit standards 8026 and 8031 were replaced by unit standard 26492.
· Unit standards 8048, 8051, 8052, 8056, 8060, 8063, 8064, 8066, 8136, and 8466 were designated expiring and will not be replaced because they no longer meet the needs of industry.
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 |
Level |
Nature of accreditation |
ID |
Level |
Field |
Sciences |
4 |
Standard |
26486 |
5 |
Sciences |
5 |
Standard |
26491 |
6 | |
Subfield |
Science |
4 |
Standard |
26486 |
5 |
Science |
5 |
Standard |
26491 |
6 | |
Domain |
Biochemistry |
4 |
Standard |
26486 |
5 |
Impact on Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP)
None.
Impact on registered qualifications
Key to type of impact | |
Affected |
The qualification lists a reviewed classification (domain or subfield) in an elective set The qualification lists a standard that has changes to level or credits The qualification lists a C or D category standard |
Not materially affected |
The qualification lists a standard that has a new title The qualification lists a standard that has a new classification |
The following NQS qualifications are impacted by the outcome of this review and will be updated when they are reviewed in 2010. The classifications and/or standards that generated the status Affected are listed in bold.
Ref |
Qualification Title |
ID |
0234 |
National Diploma in Science (Level 5) |
8466 |
0235 |
National Diploma in Science (Level 6) with optional strands in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology/Biochemistry |
8026, 8046, 8048, 8466 |
Detailed list of unit standards - classification, title, level, and credits
All changes are in bold.
Key to review category | |
A |
Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
B |
Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
C |
Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new ID |
D |
Standard will expire and not be replaced |
Sciences>Science>Biochemistry
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
8043 |
Perform spectrophotometric analyses |
5 |
3 |
B |
8044 |
Describe and perform laboratory centrifugation techniques Perform laboratory centrifugation techniques |
5 4 |
2 1 |
B |
8045 8047 26486 |
Perform low pressure column chromatography Perform paper and thin layer chromatography Perform paper, thin layer, and column chromatography |
5 4 5 |
4 3 4 |
C C |
8046 |
Perform high pressure liquid chromatography |
6 |
4 3 |
B |
8048 |
Work with unsealed radioisotopes |
6 |
4 |
D |
8049 |
Precipitate a protein and perform a dialysis |
5 4 |
2 |
B |
8050 |
Perform electrophoresis |
6 5 |
6 3 |
B |
8051 |
Carry out disruption techniques on cells |
5 |
3 |
D |
8052 |
Determine protein concentration in solution |
5 |
2 |
D |
8053 26487 26488 |
Determine the kinetic parameters of enzymes Explain the characteristics of enzymes Determine enzyme activity |
5 5 5 |
4 3 4 |
C |
8054
26489 |
Demonstrate knowledge of the structure, function, and metabolism of lipids Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of lipids |
5
5 |
6
4 |
C |
8055
26490 |
Demonstrate knowledge of the structure, properties, functions, and metabolism of amino acids and proteins Demonstrate knowledge of the structure, properties, and functions of amino acids and proteins |
5
5 |
6
4
|
C |
8056 |
Demonstrate knowledge of carbohydrate structure and properties |
5 |
2 |
D |
8057 26491 |
Discuss the metabolism of carbohydrates Discuss the cellular metabolism of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids |
5 6 |
4 6 |
C |
8058 |
Demonstrate knowledge of plant biochemistry |
6 |
6 |
B |
8059 |
Demonstrate knowledge of animal biochemistry |
6 |
4 6 |
B |
8060 |
Demonstrate knowledge of endocrinology |
6 |
3 |
D |
Sciences> Science> Immunology
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
8026
8031 26492 |
Perform agglutination, precipitation and immunological procedures Demonstrate knowledge of immunology Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the immune system |
6
6 6 |
3
5 6 |
C
C |
Sciences> Science> Molecular Biology
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
8061 8062 26493 |
Purify Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Purify Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Purify Nucleic Acids |
6 6 6 |
2 4 4 |
C C |
8063 |
Perform a nucleic acid blotting technique |
6 |
4 |
D |
8064 |
Demonstrate knowledge of nucleic acid structure and properties |
5 |
2 |
D |
8065 |
Perform a restriction enzyme digestion |
6 |
3 |
B |
8066 |
Introduce Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) into bacteria |
6 |
4 |
D |
8067 |
Perform a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) |
6 |
3 |
B |
8068
8069
26494 |
Demonstrate knowledge of gene cloning and analysis Demonstrate knowledge of gene transfer techniques Demonstrate knowledge of recombinant DNA techniques |
6
6
6 |
2
2
4 |
C
C |
8070 |
Demonstrate knowledge of gene structure, replication, and expression |
6 5 |
4 5 |
B |
Sciences>Science>Science - Core
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
8091 |
Use and maintain a light microscope |
4 |
2 |
B |
8136 |
Plan and manage a science field trip |
5 |
4 |
D |
8442 |
Demonstrate knowledge of sampling for laboratory analysis |
4 |
2 |
D |
8466 |
Demonstrate competence in principles of laboratory measurement and recording Demonstrate competent use of principles of laboratory measurement and recording procedures |
4 4 |
3 4 |
B |