Stage 6
Science
Biology
Biology in Stage 6 provides students with an understanding of the living world. This makes the course relevant to students thinking of following Biological careers after school and with an interest in living things.
The course explores the diversity of living forms from a molecular to a biological systems level and then an understanding of the interactions between all living things, the environments they occupy, the pressures and challenges they face and the responses and adaptations they employ to succeed. Students engage in fieldwork to understand a real-world application of this knowledge.
Students engage in a variety of first and second-hand investigations both individually and in groups to develop a greater understanding in the fields of genetics and diseases and the application of Biology in finding solutions to health and sustainability issues in a changing world.
Chemistry
Chemistry examines the properties and composition of matter and the interactions between substances. The course follows from an understanding of physical properties of matter, through to predicting chemical reactions and their properties. The course requires both a descriptive understanding of Chemistry and a mathematical analysis of the substances taking part in reactions.
Chemistry plays a role in everyone’s life and is involved in almost every aspect of our daily existence. The course requires a high level of discipline and commitment to study, but can lead to amazing opportunities and roles such as environmental studies, pharmaceuticals, energy sources and developing new products.
Chemistry has a strong emphasis on experimentation. Students will develop standard wet laboratory techniques, through to the ability to interpret second hand results from spectroscopy. The analytical skills developed through studying Chemistry provides a framework for logical processing and problem solving that are highly sought after in all professions.
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth and Environmental Science provides you with the opportunities to look at the global systems that are having such an impact on our lives today.
The course studies the Earth and its processes, encompassing elements of biology, chemistry, geology and physics. It seeks to describe the contemporary world in which we live. Earth and Environmental Science is becoming more and more relevant as climate change begins to bring about noticeable effects on ecosystems and humans engage in competition for fewer and fewer natural resources.
It includes topics such as the Earth’s resources, plate tectonics, energy transformations and human impacts in Year 11 and Earth’s processes, hazards, climate science and resources management in Year 12.
The course develops first and second-hand investigations to model and analyse the global systems and to reflect quickly on how looking at a Global scale changes our understanding and outlook on the world.
Investigating Science
Investigating Science is a skills-based science course, providing an opportunity to focus in on the skills scientists use and the scientific method. Seen as a compliment of the other Stage 6 Science courses, Investigating Science is designed to provide students with an ability to understand themselves and the world in which they live by applying a logical and critical mind to observations.
The course encompasses aspects of all the other branches of Science with a strong focus on primary investigations. Practical skills are developed within the course, and students are also given the opportunity to undertake research and investigate areas of Science that are of particular interest to them.
Students who are interested in STEM-related career paths such as science communication, science journalism or education, or jobs entangled with technology and research should consider undertaking this course, or just an interest in developing their critical thinking
Physics
Physics is about having a fundamental understanding of the Universe. The Physics course involves the study of matter and its motion through space and time, along with related concepts that include energy and force.
Physics deals with the study of phenomena on scales of space and time – from sub-atomic particles and their interactions up to the size and age of the universe. This allows students to better understand the physical world and how it works, appreciate the uniqueness of the universe, and participate in navigating and influencing the future.
The problem-solving nature of Physics develops student’s skills by focusing on the exploration of models and the analysis of theories and laws, which promotes an understanding of the connectedness of seemingly dissimilar phenomena. Mathematical analysis is an essential part of the Physics course.
This problem solving provides a basis for many STEM and non-STEM based careers that require the analysis of data.
Science Extension
Science Extension extends any of the other Stage 6 Science courses in Year 12. The course focuses on students carrying out a research project and developing a deep understanding of the scientific processes.
Students develop the ability to critically analyse all types of data and evaluate claims using evidence. The course explores the different styles of reasoning, which allows them to evaluate if the conclusions are valid. The course develops students skills in identifying their own or others in bias in collection of data, enabling them to be reflective of their own and others practices.
The course is suitable for students who have an interest in scientific research or have a passion or interest in an individual science that they want to enrich their understanding.