SMS2
This course requires 2 options.

NCEA L2 Sustainable Marine Science

Course Description

A course aimed at developing an understanding of the biology of selected marine species with a focus on aquaculture and the factors which influence sustainable marine farming.

  • Fish species and their identification 
  • Use of microscopes
  • Oyster Biology and Farming 
  • Mussel Biology and Farming
  • Patterns in seafood communities



Skills that are useful across the Biological Sciences will be practiced including dissection of marine species, microscope use, measuring the size of populations of marine species. This course is particularly significant for students who would like a careers in aquaculture, fisheries compliance or the fishing industry. 

Course Overview

Term 1
Mussel Biology - Mussel life cycle, habitat and distribution, feeding method, diet, reproductive cycle and disease.
Mussel farming - sites of mussel farming, practices and farm designs, sustainability.

Term 2
Biological patterns - how to assess the distribution of marine species in their ecosystem with field trips to practice skills.
Seafood species - types of seafood species, how to identify them and naming systems in Biology.

Term 3
Oyster Biology- Oyster life cycle, habitat and distribution, feeding method, diet, reproductive cycle and disease.
Oyster farming - sites of oyster farming, practices and farm designs, sustainability.

Term 4
Oyster farming - sites of oyster farming, practices and farm designs, sustainability.

Recommended Prior Learning

An interest in marine species, the outdoors and the marine ecosystem is recommended.

Pathway

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

Total Credits Available: 27 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 27 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
U.S. 16340 v5
NZQA Info
Demonstrate knowledge of the biology of the New Zealand Greenshell mussel
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 16672 v4
NZQA Info
Describe Pacific oyster (tio) farming industry in New Zealand
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 10
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 16673 v5
NZQA Info
Demonstrate knowledge of the biology of oysters
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 16712 v3
NZQA Info
Demonstrate knowledge of seafood naming systems, and identify New Zealand seafood species
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91158 v2
NZQA Info
Biology 2.6 - Investigate a pattern in an ecological community, with supervision
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 27
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 0