Agriculture
The Preliminary course incorporates the study of the interactions between the components of agricultural production, marketing and management, while giving consideration to the issue of sustainability of the farming system. This is an ‘on-farm’, environment-oriented course.
The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. It examines the complexity and scientific principles of the components of agricultural production. It places greater emphasis on farm management to maximise productivity and environmental sustainability. The Farm Product Study is used as a basis for analysing and addressing social, environmental and economic issues as they relate to sustainability.
Biology
Biology is the study of living organisms, life processes and interactions between organisms and their environment.
The Preliminary course incorporates the study of the mechanisms and systems that living things use to obtain, transport and draw on materials for their own growth and repair; biotic and abiotic features of the environment and the interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem; the evolution of life on Earth; and the effects of global changes on the diversity of Australian biota during the formation of the Australian continent.
The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. It examines the processes and structures that plants and animals use to maintain a constant internal environment and the way in which characteristics are transmitted from generation to generation. The options cover a variety of interest areas and draw on the increased information and understanding provided by improved technology to examine areas of current research.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of the physical and chemical properties of matter, with a focus on substances and their interactions. Chemistry attempts to provide chemical explanations and to predict events at the atomic and molecular level.
The Preliminary course develops knowledge of atomic structure, chemical changes, rates of reaction and relationships between substances by focusing on increasing students’ understanding of the Earth’s resources, the development of increasingly sophisticated methods to extract and use metals, the importance of water on Earth and high energy carbon compounds.
The HSC course builds on the concepts developed in the Preliminary course, expanding on areas such as the search for new sources of traditional materials, the design and production of new materials, the management and monitoring of chemicals that have been developed and/or released as a result of human technological activity and the way in which environmental problems could be reversed or minimised. The options cover a variety of interest areas and draw on the increased information and understanding provided by improved technology to examine areas of current research.
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth and Environmental Science is the study of the planet Earth, its processes and its environment.
The Preliminary course develops knowledge of the physical and chemical features of the environment, the available resources and human impact on Australian environments and the interplay between the internal and external forces that constantly shape the Earth. It increases students’ understanding of these concepts by focusing on the unique nature of the Australian continent, its geology and environments and, in particular, the local environment and the effect of human impact on it.
The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. It examines the geological, physical and chemical evidence related to the evolution of Australia over time, current pressures and their effects on the Australian environment, and the indicators of environmental ill-health. The options cover a variety of interest areas and draw on increased information and understanding provided by improved technology to examine areas of current research.
Science by the Sea
Our Earth and Environmental Science students participated in an excursion on the 26th of March 2018 to Mullumburra Headland and Bingi Bingi Point for the purpose of studying the local geology and soil structures.
The students were joined by Geoff and Judy Scott, Miriam Baltuck, and Rob Lees - geologists familiar with the local area. All are highly skilled in their field, and the students found the wealth of information engaging and informative.
The information gained during the field study will go a long way in helping the students understand and excel in the preliminary Earth and Environmental Science course.
Physics
Physics investigates natural phenomena, identifies patterns and applies models, principles and laws to explain their behaviour.
The Preliminary course develops a knowledge of waves, motion, forces, fields, electricity and magnetism by focusing on increasing students’ understanding of current communication technologies, the use of electricity in the home, interaction involving vehicles (such as car crashes) and the mechanisms that maintain the physical conditions of planet Earth.
The HSC course builds on the concepts of the Preliminary course by expanding on areas such as relativity, the motor effect and solid state physics, and by focusing on space flight, motors and generators and the scientific advances involved in the development of semi-conductors and electronics. The options cover a variety of interest areas and draw on the increased information and understanding provided by improved technology to examine areas of current research.
