Science

Stages 4 and 5

Science techno display

Year 7 develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the nature of science through theory and participation in practical work.

Students learn about laboratory skills, separation techniques, cells and classification of living things, rocks and minerals, and forces. Students also learn how to safely conduct experiments and develop research skills in practical projects.

Year 7 study the following topics:

• working scientifically
• properties of substances
• mixtures
• earth resources
• classification and cells
• habitats and interactions
• forces
• earth in space.

Year 8 continue to develop their scientific knowledge, understanding and skills through further experimentation and theory. Students further expand their knowledge in the field of biology, chemistry, physics and earth & environmental science through the core topics listed below.

Year 8 topics include:

• science skills and data
• growth and reproduction
• cells and vertebrate body systems
• energy and electrostatics
• physical and chemical changes
• elements, compounds and mixtures
• simple machines
• rocks, minerals and mining.

Students in Year 8 also complete a detailed student research project that demonstrate their ability to conduct first-hand and second-hand investigations.

The Year 9 science syllabus in NSW covers a broad range of topics in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and environmental science. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to develop their scientific skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis, through practical investigations and experiments.

Year 9 topics include:

• periodic table
• disease
• heat, light and sound
• electrodynamics
• body coordination
• global systems
• forensic science.

Accelerated science in Year 9 is designed to cover the entire Stage 5 science syllabus in NSW, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and environmental science. This rigorous program allows students to complete the requirements for Year 9 and Year 10 science in one year, providing an opportunity for early entry into HSC chemistry. The curriculum covers a range of topics including cell structure and function, genetics and evolution, chemical reactions, motion and energy, and environmental sustainability. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to develop their scientific skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis, through practical investigations and experiments. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in scientific principles and will be well-prepared for further study in biology or other science-related fields.

In Year 10 science, students rotate between specialised teachers in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, and earth and environmental science. This approach allows students to gain a deeper understanding of each discipline by learning from teachers who have specific expertise in their area. During the course, students will cover a range of topics, including energy, motion, chemical reactions, genetics, ecology, and geology. In each unit, students will engage in practical investigations and experiments to develop their scientific skills and deepen their understanding of key concepts. The rotation system encourages students to develop an appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of science and the connections between different fields. By the end of Year 10, students will have a broad understanding of scientific principles and be well-prepared for further study in any of the scientific disciplines.

Year 10 topics are taught by teachers with special expertise of the subject on a rotation basis.

The topics are:

• chemical reactions
• the Universe - from big bang to black holes
• genetics and evolution
• physics of motion and collisions
• dynamic earth and plate tectonics
• report on an individually designed and executed experiment to answer a specific question.

Stage 6

Students are able to choose one or more of the following Science subjects to study for the HSC:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth and Environmental Science
• Physics
• Science Extension (Year 12)

Biology

The Biology Stage 6 syllabus explores the diversity of life from a molecular to a biological systems level. The course examines the interactions between living things and the environments in which they live. It explores the application of biology and its significance in finding solutions to health and sustainability issues in a changing world.

Year 11 biology course topics

• Module 1 - Cells as the Basis of Life
• Module 2- Organisation of Living Things
• Module 3 - Biological Diversity
• Module 4 - Ecosystems

Year 12 biology course topics

• Module 5 - Heredity
• Module 6 - Genetic Change
• Module 7 - Infectious Disease
• Module 8 - Non-infectious Disease and Disorders.

Chemistry

The Chemistry Stage 6 explores the structure, composition and reactions of and between all elements, compounds and mixtures that exist in the Universe. The discovery and synthesis of new compounds, the monitoring of elements and compounds in the environment, and an understanding of industrial processes and their applications to life processes are central to human progress and our ability to develop future industries and sustainability.

Year 11 chemistry course topics

• Module 1 - Properties and Structure of Matter
• Module 2 - Introduction to Quantitive Chemistry
• Module 3 - Reactive Chemistry
• Module 4 - Drivers of Reactions.

Year 12 chemistry course topics

• Module 5 - Equilibrium and Acid Reactions
• Module 6 - Acid/Base Reactions
• Module 7 - Organic Chemistry
• Module 8 - Applying Chemical Ideas.

Earth and Environmental Science

The Earth and Environmental Science Stage 6 syllabus explores the Earth's renewable and non-renewable resources and also environmental issues. An understanding of the Earth's resources and the ability to live sustainably on the planet is a central purpose of the study of Earth and environmental science.

Year 11 Earth and environmental science course topics

• Module 1 - Earth's resources
• Module 2 - Plate tectonics
• Module 3 - Energy transformations
• Module 4 - Human impact.

Year 12 Earth and environmental science course topics

• Module 5 - Earth's processes
• Module 6 - Hazards
• Module 7 - Climate science
• Module 8 - Resource management.

Physics

The Physics Stage 6 syllabus 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 nuclear 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.

Year 11 physics course topics

• Module 1 - Kinematics
• Module 2 - Dynamics
• Module 3 - Waves and Thermodynamics
• Module 4 - Electricity and Magnetism.

Year 12 physics course topics

• Module 5 - Advanced Mechanics
• Module 6 - Electromagnetism
• Module 7 - The Nature of Light
• Module 8 - From the Universe to the Atom.

Year 12 Science Extension

The Science Extension stage 6 syllabus focuses on the nature, development and processes of science. The course requires students to engage with complex concepts and theories and to critically evaluate new ideas, discoveries and contemporary scientific research. Students are challenged to examine a scientific research question influenced by their study of one or more of the scientific disciplines. In doing this, students extend their knowledge of the discipline(s), conduct further analysis and authentic scientific investigations, and uniquely for this course, produce a detailed scientific research report that reflects the standards generally required for publication in a scientific journal.

Students must be studying at least 2 units of science to then pick up science extension.

• Module 1 - The Foundations of Scientific Thinking
• Module 2 - The Scientific Research Proposal
• Module 3 - The Data, Evidence and Decisions
• Module 4 - The Scientific Research Report.