The Sciences
Science Program
In Junior Science you will come to see how science affects much of your life and how you need scientific information and skills to form opinions and make decisions about issues that will affect your lives in the future.
Topics include:
The Chemical World
Our Earth - Handle with care
Mysteries from the past-from the beginning to nowWhat's out there?
Travelling the Universe
The next generation, Genetics and Biotechnology
Measurement in sport
Forensic Science
Get the message?
Communication technology
Senior Courses
Chemistry
We are interested in:
- Why do substances behave the way they do?
- What is behind chemical reactions and why do they occur?
- How small is big and how big is small?
- Investigating processes and activities around us, on this planet, and beyond
Course Description:
Chemistry provides our students with an understanding of the physical and chemical properties of substances and their interactions. Our students learn how their lives are affected by all the materials around them. Students delve into the nature of things we cannot see directly because they are so small, but which have a profound effect on their world.
Students investigate natural and made substances, their structures, changes and environmental importance; they learn about history and philosophy as it relates to chemistry.
Our students work individually and with others in practical, field and interactive media experiences related to chemistry; they undertake experiments and decide between competing theories. They assess the impact of decisions based on an understanding of chemistry and society.
In the HSC course students investigate the role of chemists and chemical techniques they use in monitoring the state of our environment. They investigate the effects of pollution on arising from human demand and technological development. The course builds on the foundations laid in Stage 5 Science and recognises the fact that students bring a wide range of abilities, circumstances and expectations to the course.
BIOLOGY
When did we arrive here? Have you heard about our strange ancestor Gondwana?
Imagine this world of ours without any animals at all. Imagine there were no plants in sight. Yet there was a time when nothing grew or crawled on Earth; there was no Earth to walk on.
Why do we humans, our other relatives and ancestors, different animals (macroscopic and microscopic) and plants live with each other and how we do it? Do we need rocks and sand, oceans and air?
Do you want to know how living things function? Are you interested in learning about Australian animals and plants?
The Biology course provides you with arrange of scientific activities to answer these questions and many more. Modern research methods, as well as a look at some of the history of biological developments, are involved.
Course Description:
The course takes you on a journey starting with the local area.
You ask questions:
What is found in the local ecosystem?
How do we know about these factors?
The journey continues by looking at the small picture (cells) so that you can understand their importance. Extending to look at life through past ages, as shown by the fossil record, you are able to see how Australia's unique plants and animals developed and became adapted to the Australian environment and therefore gain an understanding of the big picture too.
Having been enthralled by this journey, the HSC course leads you into areas of great relevance in a technological world. You study the ways organisms maintain an internal balance while coping with the effects of the external environment and how evolution has changed these ways. You build the knowledge needed to understand the effects of some of the diseases that afflict humans and learn about what has been done in the 20th century to control these diseases.
PHYSICS
Like to drive a car?
Driving a car looks cool and easy, doesn't it?
Why then are there so many car crashes?
Want to be a better and safer driver?
Then learn about the physics of the behaviour of the vehicles in motion in this course.
It is not only interesting and thought provoking but it may also save your life one day!
Talking about life, can you live without a mobile phone?
Ever wonder why mobile phones need no wire to communicate?
What energy sources power a mobile phone?
Ultimately, we know that there is a beginning of the Universe.
Will there be an end? Interested? Read on!
Course Description:
The Preliminary course involves applying investigative, problem-solving and communication skills in the study of the behaviour of vehicles in motion, the properties of waves (seen and unseen) around us, electricity and magnetism as sources of energy, the beginning and end of the Universe as an interaction between energy and matter.
The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. It looks in greater depth into the effects of gravitational fields, momentum, projectile and circular motion and how they relate to the future of space travel and exploration.
It is clear that theories, experiments, discoveries and inventions must work together to advance our understanding of the physical world around us into the 21st century. With a better understanding of the beauty and fragility of our environment comes better application of our new found technology for us and for the future generations.
Senior Science
Is this you?
Are you intrigued by human anatomy and keen to find out more about why it needs to be protected in the workplace?
Do you yearn to learn about the fascinating interactions between the living things in the local ecosystems and about how we humans can interfere less?
Would you like to investigate the nature of the many chemicals we use in and on our bodies and discover the often unexpected effects they have?
Are you concerned about Australia's limited water resources, but captivated by the way our native plants are so well adapted? It sounds like the Senior Science course may be right for you.
In the HSC Science course you can:
- Investigate the enthralling biological molecules which make our bodies function so efficiently
- Learn about the exciting new ways of using technology to collect data about how plants work
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- Discover how medical technology allows us to "see" inside a large range of body cavities and organs
- Explore the latest information systems and their uses in Science
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The Preliminary course incorporates the study of some aspects of human anatomy and diseases associated with the protection of the people's bodies in the workplace; the interaction between organisms in local ecosystems; the collection, storage and conservation of water resources; and the structure and function of plants with an emphasis on Australian native plants.
The HSC course examines the range and importance of biological molecules found in humans and other organisms; the chemicals used by people on and in their bodies; the structure and function of organs of the human body and the physical features of these organs that can be detected by medical technology.
