Science Information Session

The Subjects (choose wisely!)• Biology• Chemistry• Physics• Senior Science• Marine Studies

How to choose?

• Ability

• Career ideas

• Interests

• Prerequisites for UNI, TAFE etc.

What Combinations?

1. The best combination for some Science and Engineering courses at Uni is PHYSICS and CHEMISTRY

2. Another good combo might be CHEMISTRY and BIOLOGY. This is useful for medicine or nursing.

3. It is possible to attempt up to 6 science units. This depends on timetable constraints.

Ability – You must consider:

1. Realistically, how good am I at Science and Maths?

2. How motivated am I to do well?

3. You should be doing extension Maths if you choose Physics.

Assessment Tasks

Task 1: Open Ended Investigation

Task 2: Half Yearly Exam

Task 3: Yearly Exam

(including practical skill questions)

Biology

Yr 11 Topics: A Local Ecosystem

Patterns in Nature

Life on Earth

Evolution of Australian Biota

Yr 12 Topics: Maintaining a Balance

Blueprint of Life

The Search for Better Health

Communication

Format of HSC Exam: 3 Hour Written Exam

What about a career based around Biology? Shouldn’t I pick Biology as a subject?

Remember that many of the courses at TAFE and Uni will contain Chemistry so it is important to investigate these courses to see if taking Chemistry as well as Biology would be a good option.

Who Should Choose Biology?

Top 60 students

Anyone interested in going to University to study:

Ecology

Environmental Science

Geography

Health Sciences (Nutrition, Psychology, Health)

Science – Biology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Marine

Nursing

Chemistry

Yr 11 Topics: The Chemical Earth

Metals

Water

Energy

Yr 12 Topics: Production of Materials

The Acidic Environment

Chemical Monitoring and Management

Shipwrecks, Corrosion and Conservation

Format of HSC Exam: 3 Hour Written Exam

Who Should Choose Chemistry?

Top 30 students

Anyone interested in going to University to study:

Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Materials, Mechanical, Mechatronic, Mining, Telecommunications

Nursing, Health Science (Nutrition, Medical Science, Psychology, Population Health etc)

Science – Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Nuclear Science, Medical Radiation, Nanotechnology

Physics

Yr 11 Topics: The World Communicates

Electrical Energy in the Home

Moving About

The Cosmic Engine

Yr 12 Topics: Space

Motors and Generators

From Ideas to Implementation

Medical Physics

Format of HSC Exam: 3 Hour Written Exam

Who Should Choose Physics?

Top 30 in mathematics

Anyone interested in going to University to study:

Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Materials, Mechanical, Mechatronic, Mining, Telecommunications

Science – Medicinal Chemistry, Nuclear Science, Medical Radiation Physics, Nanotechnology, Photonics, Physics, International Science, Graduate Medicine

Maths

Senior Science

Yr 11 Topics: The Local Ecosystem

Humans at Work

Water for Living

Plants

Yr 12 Topics: Lifestyle Chemistry

Medical Technology - Bionics

Information Systems

Disasters

Format of HSC Exam: 3 Hour Written Exam

Who Should Choose Senior Science?

No prerequisites however students should remember this is a full 2-unit course.

Students who pick Senior Science may not choose Biology, Chemistry or Physics in Year 11.

Anyone who likes Science and may want to pursue it at TAFE.

Marine Studies has no prerequisites however it cannot be used for a UAI.

Note that because scuba diving is done in Year 11 any student with a medical condition that may affect their ability to dive must get a full dive medical before enrolment in this course

Marine Studies

Core:

Marine Safety and First Aid

The Marine Environment

Life in the Sea

Humans in Water

Marine and Maritime Employment

Options:

Several

Format of HSC Exam: No formal external exam. Internal exams,

project and practical component

Marine Studies has no prerequisites however it cannot be used for a UAI.

Note that because scuba diving is done in Year 11 any student with a medical condition that may affect their ability to dive must get a full dive medical before enrolment in this course

Science is wonderful and exciting however it is

difficult.

Be prepared to work hard and give close thought

to your subject selections.