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
Year 12
- BI-12-04
evaluates the use of biotechnologies in medicine, agriculture and biodiversity conservation
Relevant Working scientifically outcomes and content must be integrated with each focus area. All the Working scientifically outcomes and content must be addressed by the end of Year 12.
LoadingDiscuss the roles of biological knowledge, genetic engineering and bioinformatics techniques used in biotechnology
Use examples to explain how biotechnology is currently used in Australian research, agriculture, biodiversity conservation and health
Use examples to compare transgenic organisms and genetically modified organisms
Compare germline genetic changes in reproductive and genetic engineering biotechnologies
Assess the role of data and modelling in developing and using biotechnology
Use examples to explain how biotechnologies diagnose genetic diseases
Assess the use of genetic databases for the analysis of the prevalence of a genetic disease
Discuss the risks and benefits of using biotechnologies to provide personalised information about the risk of developing, and management of, a non-infectious disease
Outline the method and outcome of 2 selected gene therapies used to reduce the impact of genetic conditions
Conduct a scientific investigation to model the process of using recombinant DNA technology to produce human insulin
Analyse data to evaluate a biotechnology used for a selected non-infectious disease
Discuss current and future applications of biotechnology to improve outcomes of a selected non-infectious disease
Assess the ethical and legal implications of using gene therapies in health care
Compare the processes of 2 current biotechnologies used in diagnosing infectious diseases
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to evaluate the use of biotechnologies on the prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases
Evaluate the potential societal benefits of using genetic technologies to manage infectious diseases
Discuss Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' uses and applications of biotechnologies
Account for the use of artificial pollination in Australian agriculture, including its methods and outcomes
Conduct a secondary-source investigation on a current plant reproductive technology used to support biodiversity in Australia
Discuss how bioinformatics is used to determine the health of an ecosystem
Use an example to account for the use of bioinformatics to inform decisions about the conservation of an Australian species
Discuss the benefits and ethical implications of using a genetically modified plant to address a nutritional deficiency
Evaluate the release of a genetically modified organism into the wild and predict the impacts on natural populations
Assess the influence of social, economic and cultural contexts on the use of a biotechnology in agriculture