ATAR HUMAN BIOLOGY (YEAR 11)

Code:
A1HBY, A2HBY

External Exam:
Yes – in Year 12

Pathway:
Year 11 – A1HBY, A2HBY / Year 12 – ATHBY

Pre-requisites:
A or B grade in Year 10 Science

Other Information:
This course requires a considerable work ethic and commitment to homework. Most tertiary institutions offer Science courses with major studies in Human Biology. Satisfactory levels in Human Biological Science would obviously be an advantage in these courses. Although Human Biology is not a prerequisite for many tertiary studies, it counts equal value with any science subject for tertiary entrance. It would be an advantage to students pursuing careers in medical and career occupations e.g. Nursing, Physiotherapy, Physical Education, Human Movement Studies and Veterinary Nursing.

Content:
Unit 1 A1HBY – The functioning human body
This unit looks at how human structure and function supports cellular metabolism and how lifestyle choices affect body functioning. Cells are the basic unit of the human body and contain structures that carry out a range of functions related to metabolism, including anabolic and catabolic reactions. Students will investigate cells, metabolism and explore the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory and muscular-skeletal systems of the human body.

Unit 2 A2HBY – Reproduction and inheritance
This unit provides opportunities to explore, in more depth, the mechanisms of transmission of genetic materials to the next generation, the role of males and females in reproduction, and how interactions between genetics and the environment influence early development. Students will examine the application of technological advances and medical knowledge on human reproduction and the issues raised for individuals.

ATAR HUMAN BIOLOGY (YEAR 12)

Code:
ATHBY

External Exam:
Yes

Pathway:
Year 11 – A1HBY, A2HBY / Year 12 – A3HBY, A4HBY

Pre-requisites:
C grade or better in Year 11 Human Biology ATAR

Other Information:
This course requires a considerable work ethic and commitment to homework.
The Human Biology ATAR course gives students a chance to explore what it is to be human—how the human body works, the origins of human variation, inheritance in humans, the evolution of the human species and population genetics. Through their investigations, students research new discoveries that increase our understanding of human dysfunction, treatments and preventative measures.
Practical tasks are an integral part of this course and develop a range of laboratory skills; for example, biotechnology techniques. Students learn to evaluate risks and benefits to make informed decisions about lifestyle and health topics, such as diet, alternative medical treatments, use of chemical substances and the manipulation of fertility.

Content:
Unit 3 ATHBY_1 – Homeostasis and disease
This unit explores the nervous and endocrine systems and the mechanisms that help maintain the systems of the body to function within normal range, and the body’s immune responses to invading pathogens.

Unit 4 ATHBY_2 – Human variation and evolution
This unit explores the variations in humans in their changing environment and evolutionary trends in hominids. Students develop their understanding of variation, changes in gene pools, how gene pools are affected by evolutionary mechanisms, and the resulting evolutionary changes. They will examine the evidence for these changes, such as fossils, comparative anatomy and biochemical studies.

ATAR CHEMISTRY (YEAR 11)

Code:
A1CHE, A2CHE

External Exam:
Yes-InYear12

Pathway:
Year 11 – A1CHE, A2CHE / Year 12 – A3CHE, A4CHE

Pre-requisites:
A or B grade in Year 10 Science

Other Information:
This course requires a considerable work ethic and commitment to homework.
The Chemistry ATAR course equips students with the knowledge, understanding and opportunity to investigate properties and reactions of materials. Theories and models are used to describe, explain and make predictions about chemical systems, structures and properties. Students recognise hazards and make informed, balanced decisions about chemical use and sustainable resource management. Investigations and laboratory activities develop an appreciation of the need for precision, critical analysis and informed decision making.
This course prepares students to be responsible and efficient users of specialised chemical products and processes at home or in the workplace. It also enables students to relate chemistry to other sciences, including biology, geology, medicine, molecular biology and agriculture, and prepares them for further study in the sciences.

Content:
Unit 1 A1CHE – Chemical fundamentals: structure, properties and reactions
In this unit, students use models of atomic structure and bonding to explain the macroscopic properties of materials. Students develop their understanding of the energy changes associated with chemical reactions and the use of chemical equations to calculate the masses of substances involved in chemical reactions.

Unit 2 A2CHE – Molecular interactions and reactions
In this unit, students continue to develop their understanding of bonding models and the relationship between structure, properties and reactions, including consideration of the factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions. Students investigate the unique properties of water and the properties of acids and bases, and use chemical equations to calculate the concentrations and volumes of solutions involved in chemical reactions.

ATAR CHEMISTRY (YEAR 12)

Code:
ATCHE

External Exam:
Yes

Pathway:
Year 11 – A1CHE A2CHE / Year 12 – A3/A4CHEM

Pre-requisites:
C grade or better in Year 11 Chemistry

Other Information:
This course requires a considerable work ethic and commitment to homework.
The Chemistry ATAR course equips students with the knowledge, understanding and opportunity to investigate properties and reactions of materials. Theories and models are used to describe, explain and make predictions about chemical systems, structures and properties. Students recognise hazards and make informed, balanced decisions about chemical use and sustainable resource management. Investigations and laboratory activities develop an appreciation of the need for precision, critical analysis and informed decision making.
This course prepares students to be responsible and efficient users of specialised chemical products and processes at home or in the workplace. It also enables students to relate chemistry to other sciences, including biology, geology, medicine, molecular biology and agriculture, and prepares them for further study in the sciences.

Content:
Unit 3 ATCHE – Equilibrium, acids and bases, and redox reactions
In this unit, students investigate the concept of reversibility of reactions and the dynamic nature of equilibrium in chemical systems; contemporary models of acid-base behaviour that explain their properties and uses; and the principles of oxidation and reduction reactions, including the generation of electricity from electrochemical cells.

Unit 4 ATCHE – Organic chemistry and chemical synthesis
In this unit, students develop their understanding of the relationship between the structure, properties and chemical reactions of different organic functional groups. Students also investigate the process of chemical synthesis to form useful substances and products and consider a range of factors in the design of these processes.

ATAR PHYSICS (YEAR 11)

Code:
A1PHY A2PHY

External Exam:
Yes – In Year 12

Pathway:
Year 11 – A1PHY, A2PHY / Year 12 – A3PHY, A4PHY

Pre-requisites:
A or B grade in Year 10 Science

Other Information:
This course requires a considerable work ethic and commitment to homework.
In the Physics ATAR course students will learn how energy and energy transformations can shape the environment from the small scale, in quantum leaps inside an atom’s electron cloud, through the human scale, in vehicles and the human body, to the large scale, in interactions between galaxies. Students have opportunities to develop their investigative skills and use analytical thinking to explain and predict physical phenomena. Students plan and conduct investigations to answer a range of questions, collect and interpret data and observations, and communicate their findings in an appropriate format. Problem- solving and using evidence to make and justify conclusions are transferable skills
that are developed in this course.

Content:
Unit 1 A1PHY – Thermal, nuclear and electrical physics
In this unit, students investigate heating processes, apply the nuclear model of the atom to investigate radioactivity, and learn how nuclear reactions convert mass to energy. They examine the movement of electrical charge in circuits and use this to analyse, explain and predict electrical phenomena.

Unit 2 A2PHY – Linear motion and waves
Students develop an understanding of motion and waves which can be used to describe, explain and predict a wide range of phenomena. In this unit, linear motion in terms of position and time data is described and the relationships between force, momentum and energy for interactions in one dimension are examined.

ATAR PHYSICS (YEAR 12)

Code:
ATPHY

External Exam:
Yes

Pathway:
Year 11 – A1PHY, A2PHY / Year 12 – A3PHY, A4PHY

Pre-requisites:
C grade or better in Year 11 Physics

Other Information:
This course requires a considerable work ethic and commitment to homework.
In the Physics ATAR course students will learn how energy and energy transformations can shape the environment from the small scale, in quantum leaps inside an atom’s electron cloud, through the human scale, in vehicles and the human body, to the large scale, in interactions between galaxies. Students have opportunities to develop their investigative skills and use analytical thinking to explain and predict physical phenomena. Students plan and conduct investigations to answer a range of questions, collect and interpret data and observations, and communicate their findings in an appropriate format. Problem- solving and using evidence to make and justify conclusions are transferable skills that are developed in this course.

Content:
Unit 3 – A3PHY – Gravity and electromagnetism
In this unit, students develop a deeper understanding of motion and its causes by using Newton’s Laws of Motion and the gravitational field model to analyse motion on inclined planes, the motion of projectiles, and satellite motion. They investigate electromagnetic interactions and apply this knowledge to understand the operation of direct current motors, direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) generators, transformers, and AC power distribution systems. Students also investigate the production of electromagnetic waves.

Unit 4 – G4PHY – Revolutions in modern physics
In this unit, students examine observations of relative motion, light and matter that could not be explained by existing theories, and investigate how the shortcomings of existing theories led to the development of the special theory of relativity and the quantum theory of light and matter. Students evaluate the contribution of the quantum theory of light to the development of the quantum theory of the atom, and examine the Standard Model of particle physics and the Big Bang theory.

GENERAL INTEGRATED SCIENCE (YEAR 11)

Code:
G1ISC, G2ISC

External Exam:
An Externally Set Task will be delivered in semester one of year 12, under examination conditions that will contribute to the marks in this course.

Pathway:
Year 11 – G1ISC, G2ISC / Year 12 – G3ISC, G4ISC

Pre-requisites:
Nil

Other Information:
The Integrated Science General course enables students to investigate science issues in the context of the world around them. It encourages students to develop their scientific skills of curiosity, observation, collection and analysis of evidence, in a range of contexts. The multidisciplinary approach, including aspects of biology, chemistry, geology and physics, further encourages students to be curious about the world around them and assume a balanced view of the benefits and challenges presented by science and technology. Students conduct practical investigations that encourage them to apply what they have learnt in class to real- world situations and systems.

Content:
Unit 1 – G1ISC Biological and Earth Sciences
In this unit, students develop an understanding of the processes involved in the functioning of systems from the macro level (cycles in nature and Earth systems) to systems at the organism, cellular and molecular level. They investigate and describe the effect of human activity on the functioning of cycles in nature. By integrating their understanding of Earth and biological systems, students come to recognise the interdependence of these systems The emphasis of this unit is on Biological and Earth systems, focusing on the following topics:

• interrelationships between Earth systems
• structure and function of biological systems
• ecosystems and sustainability
• species continuity and change.

Unit 2 –G2ISC Chemical and Physical Sciences
In this unit, students develop an understanding of the processes involved in the transformations and redistributions of matter and energy in biological, chemical and physical systems, from the atomic to the macro level. Students will investigate the properties of elements, compounds and mixtures, and how substances interact with each other in chemical reactions to produce new substances.
They explore the concept of forces, energy and motion and recognise how an increased understanding of scientific concepts has led to the development of useful technologies and systems.
The emphasis of this unit is on physical and chemical systems, focusing on the following topics:

• atomic structure
• chemical reactions
• mixtures and solutions
• motion and forces
• energy.

GENERAL INTEGRATED SCIENCE (YEAR 12)

Code:
GTISC (G3ISC, G4ISC)

External Exam:
An Externally Set Task will be delivered in semester one of year 12, under examination conditions that will contribute to the marks in this course.

Pathway:
Year 11 – G1ISC, G2ISC / Year 12 – G3ISC, G4ISC

Pre-requisites:
Nil

Other Information:
The Integrated Science General course enables students to investigate science issues in the context of the world around them. It encourages students to develop their scientific skills of curiosity, observation, collection and analysis of evidence, in a range of contexts. The multidisciplinary approach, including aspects of biology, chemistry, geology and physics, further encourages students to be curious about the world around them and assume a balanced view of the benefits and challenges presented by science and technology. Students conduct practical investigations that encourage them to apply what they have learnt in class to real- world situations and systems.

Content:
Unit 3 – GTISC Biological and Earth Sciences
In this unit, students integrate ideas relating to the processes involved in the movement of energy and matter in ecosystems. They investigate and describe a number of diverse ecosystems, exploring the range of living and non- living components, to understand the dynamics, diversity and interrelationships of these systems.

The emphasis of this unit is biological and Earth systems focusing on the following topics:

• interrelationships between Earth systems
• structure and function of biological systems
• ecosystems and sustainability
• species continuity and change.

Unit 4 – GTISC Chemical and Physical Sciences
This unit provides students with the opportunity to conduct scientific investigations that will increase their understanding of important scientific concepts and processes. Students will explore the properties of chemical substances that determine their use, and the techniques involved in separating mixtures and solutions. They will investigate forces acting upon an object and the effects of kinetic, potential and heat energy on objects.

The emphasis of this unit is physical and chemical systems, focusing on the following topics:

• chemical reactions
• mixtures and solutions
• motion and forces
• energy.