What is ATAR Human Biology all about?
This course gives students a chance to explore how the human body works, the origins of human variation, population genetics and reproduction. Through their investigations, students research new discoveries that increase our understanding of human dysfunction – what happens when things go wrong. Students investigate the body systems through practical activities including mammalian heart dissection, rat reproductive system dissection and extracting DNA from fruits. Students learn to evaluate risks and benefits and make informed decisions about lifestyle and health topics, such as diet, alternative medical treatments, use of chemical substances and the manipulation of fertility.
Who should select these units in Year 11?
Students who enjoy learning about the human body and are interested in a career in a science related discipline including medical, paramedical, nursing and physiotherapy.
Students wanting to select ATAR Human Biology will need to have successfully passed the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) in Year 10 or prequalified by achieving Band 8 or higher in the Year 9 NAPLAN.
Pathway
Successfully completion of these units will enable students to progress to Human Biology Units 3 & 4 in Year 12.
Areas of Study
UNIT 1 – THE FUNCTIONING HUMAN BODY
- Analyse the structure and function of body systems including respiratory, circulatory, excretory and musculoskeletal systems.
- Examine the relationships between different body systems.
- Effect of lifestyle choices on body functioning.
UNIT 2 – REPRODUCTION AND INHERITANCE
- Examine the reproductive systems of males and females
- DNA and cell reproduction
- Human reproduction including STI’s, pregnancy and birth
- Inheritance and Punnett squares
- Analyse the effects of the environment on gene expression
To provide for different learning styles a variety of assessment tasks are used. For each course of study tasks are selected from:
- Science Inquiry: Practical and Investigation
- Extended Response
- Tests
- Examination
What is ATAR year 12 ATAR Human BIOLOGY all about?
During this course students will study the nervous and endocrine systems in detail and, how they work together to maintain the body’s internal environment (homeostasis). This will also include how humans are finding new ways to treat homeostatic dysfunction and improve the quality of life of sufferers of dysfunction. Students will investigate how the body deals with invading pathogens, develops specific resistance against these pathogens and the role of vaccinations. Students will explore the variations in humans in their changing environments and evolutionary trends in humans. This will include studying biotechnological techniques used to analyse DNA and advance the boundaries of human knowledge in terms of genetics, inheritance and evolution. In addition students will carry out research, perform experiments and design investigations to enhance their knowledge of the human species and new scientific discoveries.
Who should select these units in Year 12?
- You are interested in the workings of the human body and evolution.
- You are interested in a science based career like medical and paramedical fields, education, food, hospitality, sport and social work.
- To study year 12 Human Biology it is recommended that students should achieve a pass in Units 1 & 2 Human Biology.
Pathway
Upon successful completion of these units, students can use the course as a stepping stone going into university and studying a range of science related courses.
Areas of Study
UNIT 3 – Homeostasis & Disease
- Endocrine System
- Central and Peripheral nervous system
- Homeostasis
- Response to Infection
UNIT 4 – Human Variation & Evolution
- Mutations
- Gene Pools
- Evidence for Evolution
- Human Evolutionary Trends
To provide for different learning styles a variety of assessment tasks are used. For each course of study tasks are selected from:
- Science Inquiry: Practical Tasks and Investigations.
- Extended Responses
- Tests
- Examinations
