Biology (2U)

Board Developed Course (240 hours)

Available in Years 11 and 12

The Senior Biology course provides students with a contemporary and coherent understanding of the concepts explaining the functioning, origins and evolution of living things. It explores the levels of organisation of life, from the molecular level through cellular to higher levels of organisational structure and function, which exhibit evolution as a common source of unity and diversity. It also includes developing an understanding of the interactions within and between organisms and between organisms and their environment.

The Biology course is designed for those students who have a substantial achievement level based on the Years 7 – 10 Science course performance descriptors. The subject matter of the Biology course recognises the different needs and interests of students by providing a structure that builds upon the foundations laid in Years 9 and 10 yet recognises that students entering Year 11 have a wide range of abilities, circumstances and expectations.


The course offers many interesting practical and research experiences. Field work is a compulsory component.


Course Structure

Preliminary Course (120 indicative hours)

The Preliminary course incorporates the study of 4 Modules:

  • Cells as the Basis of Life

  • Organisation of Living Things

  • Biological Diversity

  • Ecosystems Dynamics

HSC Course (120 indicative hours)

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. The Preliminary course contains content that is considered assumed knowledge for the HSC course.

The HSC course incorporates the study of:

  • Heredity

  • Genetic Change

  • Infectious Disease

  • Non-Infectious Disease and Disorders

See more on the NESA website