Welcome to Science at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, Senior School!
“There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks.” [Johann Gottfried Von Herder]
- The Science department offers a full range of courses allowing students of all abilities to access the curriculum. We have four fully equipped laboratories.
- Science is a way of investigating, understanding, and explaining our natural, physical world and the wider universe.
- Scientific progress comes from logical, systematic work and from creative insight, built on a foundation of respect for evidence.
- Different cultures and periods of history have contributed to the development of science.
Why study science?
Science is able to inform problem solving and decision making in many areas of life. Many of the major challenges and opportunities that confront our world need to be approached from a scientific perspective, taking into account social and ethical considerations.
By studying science, students:
- Develop an understanding of the world, built on current scientific theories;
- Learn that science involves particular processes and ways of developing and organising knowledge and that these continue to evolve;
- Use their current scientific knowledge and skills for problem solving and developing further knowledge;
- Use scientific knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about the communication, application, and implications of science as these relate to their own lives and cultures and to the sustainability of the environment.
Course Information
Level 1 Science
Course Title: Level 1 Advanced Science
Course NCEA Level(s): 1
Course Code: SCI101
Course Aim and Description:
Science 101 is an advanced science course offering a full level 1 Science achievement standard based course aligned with the NZ curriculum. The course is designed to develop skills in students wishing to pursue Biology, Chemistry and Physics based courses all the way up to Level 3 and in to university, polytechnic and or other tertiary based institutes.
This course will help prepare students thoroughly for the challenges that lay ahead in pursuing academic Level 2 Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses.
Course Details:
| Standards
Offered |
Level | Achievement Standard | Int /
Ext |
Credit Value | Title of Standard |
| Chemistry 1.1 | 1 | AS90930 | Int | 4 | Carry out a practical chemistry investigation, with direction |
| Biology 1.1 | 1 | AS90925 | Int | 4 | Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context with direction |
| Physics 1.1 | 1 | AS90935 | Int | 4 | Carry out a practical physics investigation that leads to a linear mathematical relationship,with direction |
| Science 1.12 | 1 | AS90951 | Int | 4 | Investigate the biological impact of an event on a New Zealand ecosystem |
| Science 1.1 | 1 | AS90940 | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of aspects of mechanics. |
| Science 1.5 | 1 | AS90944 | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate an understanding of aspects of acids and bases. |
| Science 1.9 | 1 | AS90948 | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of biological ideas relating to genetic variation. |
| Total | 20 minimum | ||||
| 20 Credits Teaching Programme with a minimum of two external standards and 3 internal standards including a 1.1 investigation and a maximum of 3 externals and 3 Internals. | |||||
Level 1 Science
Course Title: Level 1 Science
Course NCEA Level(s): 1
Course Code: SCI102
Course Aim and Description:
This course aims to give students an indepth knowledge of sciences in the areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics in contexts which are interesting and helpful for the understanding of our world. It is designed to meet the needs of a range of student ability.This is a full academic course which offers an internal and external based achievement standards in science level 1.
This course will help prepare students thoroughly for the challenges that lay ahead in pursuing academic Level 2 Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses.
Course Details:
| Standards
Offered |
Level | Achievement Standard | Int /
Ext |
Credit Value | Title of Standard |
| Chemistry 1.1 | 1 | AS90930 | Int | 4 | Carry out a practical chemistry investigation with direction |
| Biology 1.1 | 1 | AS90925 | Int | 4 | Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context with direction |
| Physics 1.1 | 1 | AS90935 | Int | 4 | Carry out a practical physics investigation that leads to a linear mathematical relationship, with direction |
| Science 1.12 | 1 | AS90951 | Int | 4 | Investigate the biological impact of an event on a New Zealand ecosystem |
| Science 1.8 | 1 | AS90947 | Int | 4 | Investigate selected chemical reactions |
| Science 1.1 | 1 | AS90940 | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of aspects of mechanics. |
| Science 1.5 | 1 | AS90944 | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate an understanding of aspects of acids and bases. |
| Science 1.9 | 1 | AS90948 | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of biological ideas relating to genetic variation. |
| Total | 16
minimum |
||||
| 20 Credits Teaching Programme with a minimum of one external standard and 4 internal standards including a 1.1 investigation and a maximum of 2 externals and 3 Internals. | |||||
Level 1 Horticulture
Course Title: National Certificate in Primary Sector
Course NCEA Level(s): 1
Course Code: HOR103
Course Aim and Description:
This qualification is designed as an introductory qualification for students interested in primary sector industries. It recognises the foundation skills and knowledge required for further training in the primary sector and allows students to explore the numerous career opportunities that exist within the primary sector. The course consists mainly of a practical component that requires a photo portfolio and diary log to be kept for the duration of the course. Students who complete their Level 1 certificate can move onto Level 2 and 3. Further studies could be completed at MIT (Manukau Institute of Technology).
Course Details:
| Standards
Offered |
AS / US | Int /
Ext |
Credit Value | Title of Standard | Lit / Num
Y/N |
| 1 | US | Int | 5 | Prepare and sow outdoor seedbeds manually | No |
| 23782 | US | Int | 2 | Identify containers, materials, plants and tools used in plant propagation | No |
| 23783 | US | Int | 5 | Grow and maintain plants in containers from seed | No |
| 23780 | US | Int | 5 | Undertake general garden maintenance | No |
| 2765 | US | Int | 4 | Plant trees and shrubs | No |
| 22183 | US | Int | 5 | Plant out horticulture crops by hand | No |
| TOTAL: | 26 |
Biology
Level 2 Biology
Course Title: Level 2
Course NCEA Level(s): 2
Course Code: BIO201
Course Aim and Description:
Biology 201 is an advanced science course offering a complete NCEA level 2 Biology course. This is for students wishing to pursue Biology all the way to level 3 and in to tertiary Science/Health/Biotechnology/Engineering courses.
Course Details:
| Standards
Offered |
Level | AS / US | Int /
Ext |
Credit Value | Title of Standard |
| AS91153 | 2.1 | AS | Int | 4 | Carry out a practical investigation in a biology context with supervision. |
| AS91158 | 2.6 | AS | Int | 4 | Investigate a pattern in an ecological community. |
| AS91160 | 2.8 | AS | Int | 3 | Investigate biological material at the microscopic level. |
| AS91156 | 2.4 | AS | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of life processes at the cellular level. |
| AS91157 | 2.5 | AS | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change. |
| AS91159 | 2.7 | AS | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of gene expression. |
| TOTAL: | 19
minimum |
Level 3 Biology
Course Title: Level 3
Course NCEA Level(s): 3
Course Code: BIO301
Course Aim and Description:
Biology 301 course is an advanced science course for students wishing to enter tertiary studies where a strong Biology/science background is required. The aim is to prepare students for studies in Science, Biotechnology, Engineering, Medicine and related fields. Biology 301 is a university approved course. Furthermore, the course offers both internal and external achievement standards. The internal standards serve to scaffold students to gain achievement for the external achievement standards. Candidates will be entered for a minimum of two external standards.
Course Details:
| Standards
Offered |
Level | AS | Int /
Ext |
Credit Value | Title of Standard |
| AS91601 | 3.2 | AS | Int | 3 | Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue. |
| AS91604 | 3.4 | AS | Int | 3 | Demonstrate understanding of how an animal maintains a stable internal environment. |
| AS91607 | 3.7 | AS | Int | 3 | Demonstrate understanding of human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications. |
| AS91603 | 3.3 | AS | Ext | 5 | Demonstrate understanding of the responses of plants and animals to their external environment. |
| AS91605 | 3.5 | AS | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation. |
| AS91606 | 3.6 | AS | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of trends in human evolution. |
| TOTAL: | 18
minimum |
Chemistry
Level 2 Chemistry
Course Title: Level 2
Course NCEA Level(s): 2
Course Code: CHM201
Course Aim and Description:
Chemistry 201 is an advanced science course offering a complete NCEA level 2 Chemistry course. This is for students wishing to pursue Chemistry all the way to level 3 and in to tertiary Science/Health/Engineering/Technology courses.
Course Details:
| Standards
Offered |
Level | AS / US | Int /
Ext |
Credit Value | Title of Standard |
| AS91161 | 2.1 | AS | Int | 4 | Carry out Qualitative Analysis. |
| AS91162 | 2.2 | AS | Int | 3 | Carry out procedures to identify ions present in solutions. |
| AS91167 | 2.7 | AS | Int | 3 | Demostrate understanding of oxidation-redution. |
| AS91164 | 2.4 | AS | Ext | 5 | Demonstarte understanding of bonding, structure and energy changes. |
| AS91165 | 2.5 | AS | Ext | 4 | Demonstarte understanding of the properties of selected organic compounds. |
| AS91166 | 2.6 | AS | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of chemical reactivity. |
| TOTAL: | 19
minimum |
Level 3 Chemistry
Course Title: Level 3
Course NCEA Level(s): 3
Course Code: CHM301
Course Aim and Description:
Chemistry 301 course is an advanced science course for students wishing to pursue Chemistry all the way in to university, polytechnic and or other tertiary based institutes where a strong Chemistry, Science, Engineering, Medicine and related subjects are a requirement. Chemistry 301 is a university approved course. Furthermore, the course offers both internal and external achievement standards. The internal standards serve to scaffold students to gain achievement for the external achievement standards.
Course Details:
| Standards
Offered |
Level | AS | Int /
Ext |
Credit Value | Title of Standard |
| AS91388 | 3.2 | AS | Int | 3 | Demonstrate understanding of spectroscopic data in chemistry. |
| AS91393 | 3.7 | AS | Int | 3 | Demonstrate understanding of oxidation–reduction processes. |
| AS91389 | 3.3 | AS | Int | 3 | Demonstrate understanding of chemical processes in the world around us. |
| AS91390 | 3.4 | AS | Ext | 5 | Demonstrate understanding of thermochemical principles and the properties of particles and substances. |
| AS91391 | 3.5 | AS | Ext | 5 | Demonstrate understanding of the properties of organic compounds. |
| AS91392 | 3.6 | AS | Ext | 5 | Demonstrate understanding of equilibrium principles in aqueous systems. |
| TOTAL: | 19
minimum |
Physics
Level 2 Physics
Course Title: Level 2
Course NCEA Level(s): 2
Course Code: PHY201
Course Aim and Description:
Physics 201 is an advanced science course offering a complete NCEA level 2 Physics course. This is for students wishing to pursue Physics into level 3 and on to university, polytechnic and or other tertiary based institutes.
This course will help prepare students thoroughly for the challenges that lay ahead in pursuing academic Level 3 Physics.
Course Details:
| Standards
Offered |
Level | AS / US | Int /
Ext |
Credit Value | Title of Standard | |
| AS91168 | 2.1 | AS | Int | 4 | Carry out a practical physics investigation that leads to a non-linear mathematical relationship. | |
| AS91172 | 2.5 | AS | Int | 3 | Demonstrate understanding of atomic and nuclear physics. | |
| AS91170 | 2.3 | AS | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of waves. | |
| AS91171 | 2.4 | AS | Ext | 6 | Demonstrate understanding of mechanics. | |
| AS91173 | 2.6 | AS | Ext | 6 | Demonstrate understanding of electricity and electromagnetism. | |
| TOTAL: | 17
minimum |
|||||
Level 3 Physics
Course Title: Level 3
Course NCEA Level(s): 3
Course Code: PHY301
Course Aim and Description:
Physics 301 course is an advanced science course for students wishing to pursue Physics all the way in to university, polytechnic and or other tertiary based institutes where a strong Physics, Science, Engineering, Medicine and related subjects are a requirement. Physics 301 is a university approved course. Furthermore, the course offers both internal and external achievement standards. The internal standards serve to scaffold students to gain achievement for the external achievement standards.
Course Details:
| Standards
Offered |
Level | AS | Int /
Ext |
Credit Value | Title of Standard |
| AS91521 | 3.1 | AS | Int | 4 | Carry out a practical investigation to test a physics theory relating two variables in a non-linear relationship. |
| AS91525 | 3.5 | AS | Int | 3 | Demonstrate understanding of Modern Physics. |
| AS91523 | 3.3 | AS | Ext | 4 | Demonstrate understanding of wave systems. |
| AS91524 | 3.4 | AS | Ext | 6 | Demonstrate understanding of mechanical systems. |
| AS91526 | 3.6 | AS | Ext | 6 | Demonstrate understanding of electrical systems. |
| TOTAL: | 17
minimum |