2013 Subject selection forum
Biology aims to develop an understanding of the
interactions within and between organisms and between
organisms and their environment including levels of
organisation of life and evolution as a common source of
unity and diversity.
The study of biology recognises that, while humans are
part of nature, they continue to have a greater influence
on the environment than any other species.
Practical experiences have been designed to utilise and further develop
students’ expertise in each of the following skill areas:
• planning investigations
• conducting investigations
• communicating information and understanding
• developing scientific thinking and problem-solving techniques
• working individually and in teams
The 2 Unit Biology Course is divided into two parts. The Preliminary Course and
The Higher School Certificate Course.
Preliminary Course
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A Local Ecosystem
Patterns In nature
Life on Earth
Evolution of Australian Biota
HSC Course
Core topics:
 Maintaining a Balance
 Blue print of Life
 The search for Better Health &
ONE of the following options:
 Communication
 Biotechnology
 Genetics The Broken Code
 The Human Story
 Biochemistry
In the course there are mandatory Practical requirements which is assessed
towards the students overall ranking
Because of its nature, Biology is a most useful starting point for many
tertiary courses and careers.
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Nursing
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Pharmacy
Food nutrition
Physical education
Child-care.
Chemistry is a branch of Science that touches our lives
every moment. The foods we eat, the medicines we
need, how the human body works, alternative energy
sources, the destruction of the ozone layer, and
developing new materials are all areas in which
chemists are working and are seeking answers.
Practical experiences have been designed to utilise and further
develop students’ expertise in each of the following skill areas:
• planning investigations
• conducting investigations
• communicating information and understanding
• developing scientific thinking and problem-solving techniques
• working individually and in teams
The 2 Unit Chemistry Course is divided into two parts: The Preliminary Course and
The Higher School Certificate Course.
HSC course
Preliminary Course
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The Chemical Earth
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Metals
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Water
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Energy
Core topics:
 Production of Materials
 The Acidic Environment
 Chemical Monitoring & management
ONE of the following options:
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Industrial Chemistry
Shipwrecks,Corrosion & Conservation
Biochemistry of Movement
The Chemistry of Art
Forensic Chemistry
In the course there are mandatory Practical requirements which is assessed
towards the students overall ranking
Because of its central place in our society and its future directions Chemistry is an
important subject and is a prerequisite for many tertiary courses and careers.
 Medicine
 environmental studies
 Pharmacy
 nursing and other health
sciences
 Animal and veterinary
 food technology
science
 Agriculture and horticulture
 engineering(most fields)
Physics seeks to explain everyday phenomena and events … the
how and why things behave as they do.
Practical experiences have been designed to utilise and further develop
students’ expertise in each of the following skill areas:
• planning investigations
• conducting investigations
• communicating information and understanding
• developing scientific thinking and problem-solving techniques
• working individually and in teams
The 2 Unit Chemistry Course is divided into two parts: The Preliminary Course and The
Higher School Certificate Course.
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Preliminary Course
The World Communicates
Electricity in the Home
Moving about
The Cosmic Engine
Higher School Certificate Course
Core Topics:
 Space
 Motors and Generators
 Ideas to Implementation
ONE of the following options:
 Quanta to Quarts
 Astrophysics
 Medical Physics
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Geophysics
 Age of silicon
In the course there are mandatory Practical requirements which is assessed towards the
students overall ranking
Physics is an important component of many vocationally directed courses at
university such as
 Medicine
 electronics
 Audiology
 telecommunications and
 optometry
 dentistry
 engineering
 chemistry
 geology
 biology
 computing
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information technology.
electrical, mechanical and
civil engineering,
marine sciences
architecture
surveying
Senior Science
The Senior Science Course has as its emphasis science in our world.
As such it does not have the same level of mathematical or scientific
difficulty as other two unit Science courses.
The course tries to develop through science, basic skills in living, an
understanding of our relationship with the environment and an interest
in science and technology that may lead to enhanced use of leisure
time.
Note: Students who complete the Biology, Chemistry, Earth and
Environmental Studies or Physics Preliminary course but do not wish to
continue on to the HSC in that course, can elect to undertake the
Senior Science HSC course.
Practical experiences have been designed to utilise and further develop
students’ expertise in each of the following skill areas:
• planning investigations
• conducting investigations
• communicating information and understanding
• developing scientific thinking and problem-solving techniques
• working individually and in teams
The Preliminary and the Higher School Certificate Course incorporates the
study of:
Preliminary Course
Higher School Certificate Course
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Water for living
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Plants
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Lifestyle Chemistry
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Humans at work
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Medical Technology-Bionics
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The local Environment
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Information systems
Core Topics:
ONE of the following options:
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Polymers
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Preservatives and Additives
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Pharmaceuticals
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Disasters
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Space Science
In the course there are mandatory Practical requirements which is assessed
towards the students overall ranking
The Senior Science course sets out to develop such an understanding.
The course as such provides valuable insights for students seeking
careers in;
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Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Food technology
environmental management
the mining industry
People increasingly are realising that we have only one earth,
that we are dependent on this earth and what we do has an
impact on the Earth, and that therefore we need to better
understand the delicate balance that exists, and how that
balance can be maintained.
Practical experiences have been designed to utilise and further
develop students’ expertise in each of the following skill areas:
• planning investigations
• conducting investigations
• communicating information and understanding
• developing scientific thinking and problem-solving techniques
• working individually and in teams
The Preliminary and Higher School Certificate courses are as follows:
Preliminary Course
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Planet Earth and Its Environment
The Local Environment
Water Issues
Dynamic Earth
Higher School Certificate Course
Core Topics:
 Tectonic Impacts
 Environments Through Time
 Caring for the Country
ONE of the following options:
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Introduced Species and the Australian
Environment
Organic Geology
Mining and the Australian Environment
Oceanography.
In the course there are mandatory Practical requirements which is assessed
towards the students overall ranking
The Earth and Environmental Science course sets out to develop
such an understanding. The course as such provides valuable
insights for students seeking careers in
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environmental management
the mining industry
earth sciences
Horticulture
landscape gardening
Bush regeneration