Biology
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A guide to the format of the NSW HSC Online pages for Biology
Structure of a page
Each page of this node contains the NSW
HSC Online notes for a subsection of a module of
the HSC Biology syllabus.
Each page begins with a syllabus reference. The syllabus reference is a copy of a single syllabus subsection (e.g. 9.2.1) placed in light olive-coloured box. The subsection is identifiable by its column one statement that in turn relates to the column two and column three points of the subsection.
You can use the syllabus reference for navigation —
click on a syllabus dot point and you are taken to the notes
written for that syllabus point.
If you prefer, you can scroll through the notes that start
below the syllabus reference. If you do this, you will be
following the sequence of syllabus points recommended by the
Biology node writing team. We expect this path to be of
particular value to teachers, as it reflects an intention of
the syllabus, i.e. students can often learn the content of
column two through the experiences described in column three.
What information is essential for the HSC?
The information that the writing team considers essential for
each syllabus point is presented with a bullet (•). In
places, other information such as background,
examples, and points of interest is provided
in clear boxes. Where relevant, links to information on other
web sites is provided. This extra information is considered
beyond the essential information required for the syllabus
point being addressed, and so, is not presented with a bullet.
Other features of the science NSW HSC Online
notes
- Links within the syllabus points
You may have noticed that each syllabus point within each module begins with a verb, such as identify, describe, perform. Column two points have verbs that are defined in the NSW Board of Studies glossary for HSC courses. The verbs that begin the syllabus points in column three, provide links to the skills content of module 9.1.
To assist you to recall the meanings of these verbs, each column two syllabus point that is replicated within the HSC Online notes has a link to the Board of Studies glossary. Click on the link to activate a pop-up box for the verb selected.
To assist you to identify which skills content statements have been selected by the writing team for each column three syllabus point, links are provided to the skills content statements of Module 9.1. Click on the link to activate another pop-up box. This will identify the specific skills being addressed. - Freehand diagrams and drawings
Sample freehand diagrams and drawings have been included. THE WRITING TEAM CONSIDERS THESE TO BE EXAMPLES of the diagrams and drawings that ARE acceptable TO USE IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN THE HSC examination. Remember that the Board of Studies recommends that, in the HSC examination, diagrams should be drawn in pencil and labelled using pen. - Prior learning
Generally, each page provides references to the prior learning expected. This will most frequently be to the Preliminary course but may also refer to the Science Stages 4-5 Syllabus. The background information provided may relate to prior learning or it may relate to the context of the subsection.
