Unit 4: Area of Study 3 in the VCE Biology Study Design provides details of the practical investigation that students are required to complete, worth one third of the school assessed coursework for Semester 2.
On the completion of this unit the student should be able to design and undertake a practical investigation related to cellular processes and/or biological change and continuity over time, and present methodologies, findings and conclusions in a scientific poster.
There are a great number of practical investigations suitable for students, however, careful consideration of the materials and equipment available and the time taken to achieve useful results is prudent. The following resources provide lists of practical investigations that may be of interest:
- Deadly Extended Experimental Investigation Ideas from Dr Richard Walding
- Ecological investigations in the field from Into Biology (Student projects – investigations with plants)
- Bugwise investigations from the Australian Museum
- Biology experiments to download
- Practical Biology from the Nuffield Foundation
- Cells to Systems
- Energy (including photosynthesis and respiration)
- Control and communication
- Genetics
- Evolution
When you have decided which investigation you are interested in and after discussion with your teacher, submit a proposal that includes the following information:
- Your name
- Title (up to ten words about the experiment)
- Hypothesis (what exactly are you testing?)
- Materials required (consumables)
- Equipment required (experimental tools, glassware etc)
- Estimated time for conducting the experiment and collecting results
- References (Where did you get the idea from and what other information do you need?)