11–12Biology 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
The new Biology 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2027 and will replace the Biology Stage 6 Syllabus (2017).
2026
- Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2027, Term 1
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the Biology Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2027, Term 4
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2028
- First HSC examination for new syllabus
Content
Life Skills
- BI-LS-04
recognises traits that influence the survival of living things
- BI-LS-05
identifies the relationships between living and non-living things in an ecosystem
Through collaborative curriculum planning, it may be decided that Life Skills outcomes and content are the most appropriate option for some students with intellectual disability.
Relevant Working scientifically outcomes and content should be integrated with each focus area based on the strengths and needs of individual students.
Recognise observable traits of living things
Compare living things to identify traits that are different
Identify factors that contribute to the survival of living things in an environment
Identify traits of living things that help them survive in the environment
Participate in a practical investigation to develop understanding of natural selection
Participate in a practical investigation in the local area to record traits of living things
Identify features of the environment that living things may need to adapt to
Recognise structural adaptations in plants or animals
Recognise behavioural adaptations in animals
Participate in a scientific investigation to identify the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things in an ecosystem or a specific geographical region
Participate in fieldwork to observe interactions between living and non-living things in an ecosystem
Apply ethical and safe practices when gathering data on a local ecosystem
Create a food web of an ecosystem
Explore the influence of predator–prey relationships and competition on populations
Predict the impact of changes to the abundance of a species using a food web
Predict the effects of changes in an ecosystem on living things
Communicate the importance of protecting ecosystems