Marine Science 2013Sample work program

February 2014

Marine Science 2013Sample work programCompiled by the Queensland Studies Authority

August 2013

A work program is the school’s plan of how the course will be delivered and assessed, based on the school’s interpretation of the syllabus. The school’s work program must meet syllabus requirements, and indicate that there will be sufficient scope and depth of student learning to reflect the general objectives and meet the exit criteria and standards.

This sample demonstrates one approach, and should be used as a guide only to help teachers plan and develop school work programs.

1 | Marine Science 2013 Sample work program

Course organisation and assessment plan

Unit/Inquiry

Leng

th (h

rs)

Areas of studyKey concepts / elaborations

Inst

rum

ent

# Assessment technique

F/S

DimensionsAssessment modes

& conditionsMB OC CS MS KU IA EC

Sem

este

r 1

Understanding marine ecosystemsExplores the complex biodiversity of marine ecosystems.

30

1.1, 1.2, 1.6 1.1, 1.3

1ExaminationShort response test

F 1 hour; 50–250 words per response2.1, 2.2, 2.4 2.1, 2.3 2.1

3.1–3.3 3.1, 3.2

Investigating the importance of our foreshoresDefines and describes the natural and human- induced processes that shape our coastlines. It addresses how foreshores are used and whether they are being managed sustainability. Stakeholders’ needs are analysed and evaluated to make justified recommendations on future usage.

55

1.2 1.4, 1.5 1.5, 1.7 1.1, 1.3, 1.42

Extended responseExtended research response

F 3–5 minutesMultimodal presentation

2.5 2.1, 2.7 2.1, 2.2

Sem

este

r 2

3ExaminationExtended response test

F 1.5 hours; 400–600 wordsUnseen stimulus and question3.2, 3.5, 3.6 3.2 3.4, 3.6

Determining the health of local waterwaysInvestigate abiotic and biotic parameters of a local marine ecosystem to ascertain its ecological condition and evaluate practices used to manage it.

25

1.3–1.6 1.2, 1.5

4Extended responseExtended marine investigation

F 800–1000 wordsInvestigative field based report

2.5, 2.6 2.1, 2.6 2.4–2.6

3.1, 3.4–3.6 3.3 3.2 3.2, 3.4, 3.6

Sem

este

r 3

Global impacts on marine environmentsExamine the science of climate change highlighting possible impacts for marine ecosystems. Evaluate the merits of the various strategies propose to deals with the implications of climate change.

35

1.1, 1.2 1.55

ExaminationShort response test

S 1.5 hour; 50–250 words per response

2.1, 2.5 2.2, 2.4 2.5, 2.6

6Extended responseExtended research response

S 5–7 minutesMultimodal presentation3.6 3.1–3.6 3.3–3.6

Protecting marine resources — Law of the seaHow do maritime safety issues and legislation impact on marine environments?

20

1.6 1.2, 1.3, 1.6 1.1, 1.6

7ExaminationExtended response test

S 2 hours; 600–800 wordsUnseen stimulus and question

2.6 2.12.7 2.2, 2.3

3.6 3.5, 3.6 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6

Sem

este

r 4

Protecting marine resources — Local individual studyInvestigate a local marine ecosystem and recommend practices to improve its management.

35

1.1, 1.3–1.6 1.4, 1.5 1.2–1.7, 1.1–1.6

8Extended responseExtended marine investigation

S 1000–1500 wordsInvestigative field based report

2.6 2.1 2.1, 2.3, 2.6 2.1–2.3, 2.6

3.1, 3.6 3.3–3.6 3.1–3.4, 3.6

Sustainable marine managementIntegration of Indigenous perspectives into marine resource management.

20

1.2 1.6 1.1–1.7

9Extended responseExtended research response

S 5–7 minutesMultimodal presentation

2.5–2.6 2.1, 2.3, 2.7

3.3–3.6 3.5, 3.6 3.1, 3.6

KeyAreas of study: MB Marine biology OC Oceanography CS Conservation and sustainability MS Marine research skillsAssessment type: F Formative S SummativeDimensions: KU Knowledge and understanding IA Investigating and analysis EC Evaluating and communicating

Queensland Studies Authority August 2013 | 2

Unit title: Understanding marine ecosystemsDescription Developing foundation knowledge about the ecology of marine ecosystems, including the skills required to investigate biotic and abiotic factors that signal ecological health.

Marine science information, including secondary and primary data, is interpreted and analysed in an effort to explain the impacts of human activities upon marine environments. Current marine management practices are evaluated and conclusions drawn regarding their ecological effectiveness.

Areas of study/key concepts Marine biology (MB1, MB2, MB3); Oceanography (OC2); Conservation and sustainability (CS3); Marine research skills (MS1, MS2)

Dimensions assessed Knowing and understanding (KU); Investigating and analysing (IA); Evaluating and communicating (EC)

Time 30 hours

Assessment techniques Examination: Short response test; 1 hour — Series of short response items (50–250 words per response)

Key concepts/elaboration Possible learning experiences KU IA E

C

MS1.1, 1.3 Regulatory requirements and procedures are essential for dealing with hazards, accidents and emergencies (e.g. collision regulations, safety obligations, zoning). Water safety skills and first aid procedures are important when undertaking marine activities.

Review and refine proficiency in marine first-aid procedures and water skills.

MB1.6, 3.1, 3.2 Field guides and identification keys use scientific and common names to classify organisms according to distinct and observable features. Ecology is the study of abiotic and biotic factors which are observed through field study techniques (e.g. transects, trawls). Marine organisms live in a variety of habitats, which may be classified according to biotic and abiotic factors (e.g. rocky shore, pelagic zone, bioregion).OC2.3 Seawater contains over 80 chemical elements which determine physical and chemical properties of the oceans (e.g. salinity, heat capacity, density).CS3.1, 3.2 Knowledge of the oceans is limited and requires further investigation. Methods and devices are used to collect data relating to water quality and population density and distribution (e.g. transect, quadrat, zonation studies).MS1.1, 2.1 Regulatory requirements and procedures are essential for dealing with hazards, accidents and emergencies (e.g. collision regulations, safety obligations, zoning). Vessels, instruments and techniques are used to observe and record the abiotic and biotic features of marine environments.

Use boating and field techniques to enable observations/recordings to be made. Operate a vessel to enable marine environment to be investigated safely. Collect marine information along transects and record data found in quadrats. Use field guides and identification keys to classify organisms from observable features. Investigate local marine environments using field techniques to record the abiotic and biotic features. Use sampling devices such as plankton nets, water quality probes and turbidity tubes to gather information about the environment and evidence of the distribution and abundance of various organisms. Collect primary and secondary data to determine population density and distribution of a selection of organisms at different locations within a marine environment (e.g. estuary).

MB1.1, 1.2 Biodiversity, the variety and abundance of life, is an indication of the health of marine environments. There are a number of different classification systems for marine organisms according to a range of characteristics.

Survey the abundance of diverse life found in the marine environment. Identify and classify organisms observed. Analyse primary data collected in the field to construct graphs and other representations to describe the marine environment. Use data to make a decision about the health of the ecosystem and present a conclusion in a short paragraph.

MB2.2, 3.3 The interactions of marine organisms with biotic factors of habitats impact on adaptations. Organisms in food webs interact via relationships and consumer levels as energy cycles through food webs.

Describe the complex relationships between organisms within ecosystems. Interpret scientific information to infer relationships. Construct a food web for the marine environment studied and for other environments given suitable secondary data. Infer how a sudden change in the population of one organism would affect other organisms.

MB2.1, 2.2, 2.4 The interactions of marine organisms with abiotic and biotic factors of habitats impact on adaptations. Adaptations are classified as anatomical (structural), physiological (functional) or behavioural.

Select an organism observed in the field for further analysis. Identify observed adaptations. Classify adaptations and make connections with observed biotic and abiotic features of the environment. Summarise and present conclusions in visual format suitable for a younger audience.

3 | Marine Science 2013 Sample work program

OC2.1 Water, atmospheric gases, nutrients, heat and pollution are cycled between oceans, the land and the atmosphere and are represented using models.

Use IT and/or other resources to produce visual representations to explain mineral and nutrient cycles (e.g. carbon cycle).

Queensland Studies Authority August 2013 | 4

Marine Science student profileStudent Name:...................................................................................Teacher:............................................

Sem

este

r

Unit Instrument number Technique

Form

ativ

e/Su

mm

ativ

e

Knowing & understanding

Investigating & analysing

Evaluating & communicating

1

Understanding marine ecosystems 1

ExaminationShort response test

F

Investigating the importance of our

foreshores

2Extended responseExtended research

responseF

2

3Examination

Extended response test

F

Determining the health of local

waterways4

Extended responseExtended marine

investigationF

MONITORING

Interim Level of Achievement

3

Global impacts on marine environments

5Examination

Short response testS

6Extended responseExtended research

responseS

Protecting marine resources —

Law of the sea7

ExaminationExtended response

testS

4Protecting marine

resources — Local individual

study8

Extended responseExtended marine

investigationS

VERIFICATION

Interim Level of Achievement

4 Sustainable marine management 9

Extended responseExtended research

responseS

EXIT

Exit Level of Achievement

5 | Marine Science 2013 Sample work program

Queensland Studies Authority154 Melbourne Street South BrisbanePO Box 307 Spring HillQLD 4004 AustraliaT +61 7 3864 0299F +61 7 3221 2553www.qsa.qld.edu.au