Depth studies can seem overwhelming at first, but they’re actually a chance to think like a real scientist! With the right structure, you can turn your ideas into a polished report that ticks every syllabus box and earns you Band 6 marks.
Table of Contents
- What is a Depth Study in HSC Biology?
- How to Write a Band 6 Depth Study Research Report
- Idea Generation: Choosing the Right Topic
- Band 6 Depth Study Report Structure
- Extra Tips for Success
- FAQs
What is a Depth Study in HSC Biology?
In both Year 11 and Year 12 Biology, you’ll complete at least one depth study, which must take up a minimum of 15 hours of class time. A depth study can be a single extended investigation or a collection of smaller activities, and it must:
- Address the Working Scientifically outcomes of Questioning and Predicting and Communicating.
- Cover at least two other Working Scientifically outcomes (such as Planning, Conducting, or Analysing investigations).
- Further develop at least one Knowledge and Understanding outcome from the syllabus
Depth studies allow you to:
- Explore Biology content in greater detail.
- Apply inquiry skills to practical or secondary-sourced investigations.
- Pursue your own interests while taking responsibility for your learning.
The NESA syllabus explains that a depth study can take many forms. For example, experiments, research reviews, fieldwork reports, data analysis, or creative projects like models or media presentations
In other words, your depth study is both flexible and compulsory. And because it contributes directly to your internal assessment, doing it well is crucial for your overall HSC Biology performance.
How to Write a Band 6 Depth Study Research Report
The most common format for a depth study is a scientific research report. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what each section should include and how to impress your marker.
1. Idea Generation: Choosing the Right Topic
Before you start writing, you need a research question worth investigating.
- Relevance: Pick something connected to the Biology syllabus modules (cells, biodiversity, genetics, infectious disease).
- Feasibility: Make sure you can actually test or research it with school resources.
- Engagement: Pick something that genuinely interests you because passion shows in your writing.
Example topics:
- Module 7: “What is the effect of increasing ethanol concentration on the growth of E. coli colonies?”
- Module 6: “How does the frequency of the Huntington’s disease allele change across generations in a pedigree study?”
2. Band 6 Depth Study Report Structure
Introduction
- Start broad → narrow: outline the general concept (e.g. “Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens”) before moving to your specific focus.
- Include scientific context (definitions, prior research, why it matters).
- Finish with your inquiry question.
Marker tip: Link your introduction directly to syllabus dot points. This shows you know how your study fits into the broader course.
Inquiry Question
Your question guides the entire study.
- Avoid vague ideas (“temperature and enzymes”). Instead: “What is the effect of increasing temperature from 10°C to 60°C on the rate of catalase activity?”
- Infectious Disease example: “What is the effect of alcohol-based vs non-alcohol-based sanitiser on bacterial colony growth?”
- Heredity example: “How does the presence of a dominant Huntington’s allele influence the inheritance pattern across three generations of a family?”
Writing tip: Phrase as a “what is the effect of… on…” question. This makes it measurable.
Hypothesis
A clear, testable prediction. Base it on scientific reasoning.
- Example: “If the temperature rises above 40°C, then catalase activity will decrease because enzymes denature at high heat.”
- Example: “If ethanol concentration increases above 70%, then bacterial growth will significantly decrease because ethanol denatures microbial proteins.”
- Example (Heredity): “If one parent carries a dominant Huntington’s allele, then ~50% of offspring will inherit the disease due to autosomal dominant inheritance.”
Aim
One sentence, concise.
- Example: “To determine the effect of pH on catalase activity in liver tissue.”
- Example: “To investigate the effect of ethanol concentration on bacterial colony growth.”
Writing tip: Use “To determine/To investigate/To analyse” → professional, concise.
Methods & Materials
This is where your Working Scientifically skills are assessed.
- List materials with exact quantities.
- Number your steps logically.
- Mention how you controlled variables and ensured validity.
- Identify variables (independent, dependent, controlled)
- State repeats (reliability).
Marker tip: Methods must be clear enough for another student to replicate.
Risk Assessment
NESA requires that you identify hazards and plan for safe practice.
- Include hazards, risks, and controls.
- Use a table (cleaner + easier for markers).
Results (Quantitative Analysis)
- Present raw data in tables.
- Use graphs to show trends (line or bar graphs, fully labelled).
- Include averages if you repeated trials.
Writing tip: Results = just the data, not explanations. Save analysis for the Discussion.
Discussion (Qualitative Analysis)
This is where Band 6 reports shine. Go beyond description and analyse:
Interpret results: What patterns do you see?
- Infectious Disease example: “Bacterial growth decreased as ethanol concentration increased, showing ethanol’s effectiveness in disrupting membranes and proteins.”
- Heredity example: “The pedigree showed an autosomal dominant pattern, consistent with Huntington’s inheritance.”
Link to biology: Tie results back to syllabus concepts.
- Talk about enzyme denaturation, immune responses, or genetic inheritance rules.
Evaluate reliability: Were there errors, anomalies, or uncontrolled variables?
- Infectious Disease: uneven swabbing, contaminated plates.
- Heredity: incomplete family records, small sample size.
Suggest improvements:
- Repeat more trials, use a control group and collect larger sample sizes.
Future directions:
- Suggest improvements and future directions.
- Test other disinfectants, analyse more generations, compare with population data.
Conclusion
- Summarise your findings in 2–3 sentences.
- Directly answer your inquiry question.
- Avoid adding new ideas here.
Example: “Ethanol concentrations above 70% reduced bacterial growth, supporting the hypothesis that ethanol denatures microbial proteins.”
Extra Tips for Success
- Work scientifically, not just descriptively: Always show you’re designing, questioning, analysing, and communicating.
- Time management: Spread your 15 hours of work across planning, experimentation, and writing — don’t leave analysis for the last night.
- Use visuals: Graphs, diagrams, and labelled tables boost clarity.
- Keep it professional: Write in third person, past tense, and use scientific terminology.
- Check the rubric: Teachers often provide marking criteria. Match your report to it point-by-point.
Final Thoughts
Depth studies are your opportunity to take control of your learning and practise being a scientist. By choosing a strong inquiry question, following a clear structure, and linking your work to syllabus outcomes, you’ll impress markers and set yourself up for Band 6 success.
Remember: the goal isn’t just a polished report, but building the skills that will carry you into uni and beyond questioning, investigating, analysing, and communicating science.
After more HSC Biology related resources? Check these out! 👇
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
FAQs
What is a Depth Study in HSC Science?
A depth study is an extended learning activity in the HSC Science courses (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth & Environmental Science, Investigating Science). It allows students to explore a scientific concept or investigation in greater detail than usual classwork.
What forms can a HSC depth study take?
It can involve:
- Practical investigations
- Secondary research projects
- Case studies
- Data analysis
- A combination of these
How long should my depth study report be?
There’s no official word count, but most Band 6 reports are 1,500–2,500 words. Focus on quality, not length.
Do I need to include graphs and tables in my HSC Depth Study?
Yes, NESA expects you to present data visually. Graphs make trends clear, and tables keep raw data organised.
Written by KIS Academics Tutor for HSC Biology, Serly Boujikian. Serly is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Sydney and has helped multiple students achieve Band 6 Biology results. You can view Serly’s profile here and request her as a tutor.
