Ref: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/biology.html
Rationale for Biology in the Stage 6 Curriculum
Biology in Stage 6 Science provides students with a contemporary and coherent understanding of the concepts explaining the functioning, origins and evolution of living things.
Biology Stage 6 explores the levels of organisation of life, from the molecular level through cellular to higher levels of organisational structure and function, which exhibit evolution as a common source of unity and diversity. It includes developing an understanding of the interactions within and between organisms and between organisms and their environment.
The study of biology recognises that, while humans are part of nature, they continue to have a greater influence on the environment than any other species. The history and philosophy of science, as it relates to the development of the understanding, utilisation and manipulation of living systems by the human species, is an integral part of the study of contemporary biology and assists students to recognise their responsibility to conserve, protect, maintain and improve the quality of all environments for future generations.
Biology in Stage 6 draws upon, and builds onto, the knowledge and understanding, skills and values and attitudes developed in Science Stages 4–5. It further develops students' understanding of science as a continually developing body of knowledge, the role of experimentation in deciding between competing theories, the provisional nature of scientific explanations, the interdisciplinary nature of science, the complex relationship between evidence and ideas and the impact of science on society.
The study of biology involves students working individually and with others in practical, field and interactive activities that are related to the theoretical concepts considered in the course. It is expected that students studying biology will apply investigative and problem-solving skills, effectively communicate biological information and understanding and appreciate the contribution that a study of biology makes to their understanding of the world.
The Biology Stage 6 course is designed for those students who have a substantial achievement level based on the Science Stages 4–5 course performance descriptions. The subject matter of the Biology course recognises the different needs and interests of students by providing a structure that builds upon the foundations laid in Stage 5 yet recognises that students entering Stage 6 have a wide range of abilities, circumstances and expectations.
Ref: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/chemistry.html
Rationale for Chemistry in the Stage 6 Curriculum
Chemistry in Science Stage 6 provides students with a contemporary and coherent understanding of matter and its interactions. It focuses on investigating the physical and chemical properties of substances, chemical reactions and processes, and the interaction of energy and matter, and attempts to explain and predict events at the atomic and molecular level.
The study of Chemistry recognises that a study of the nature of materials includes natural and made substances, their structures, changes and environmental importance. The history and philosophy of science as it relates to the development of the understanding, utilisation and manipulation of chemical systems is important in developing current understanding in Chemistry and its applications in the contexts of technology, society and the environment.
Chemistry in Stage 6 draws upon and builds onto the knowledge and understanding, skills, and values and attitudes developed in Stages 4–5 Science. It further develops students' understanding of science as a continually developing body of knowledge, the role of experiment in deciding between competing theories, the provisional nature of scientific explanations, the interdisciplinary nature of science, the complex relationship between evidence and ideas and the impact of science on society.
The study of Chemistry involves the students working individually and with others in practical, field and interactive media experiences related to the theoretical concepts considered in the course. It is expected that students studying Chemistry will apply investigative and problem-solving skills, effectively communicate the theoretical concepts considered in the course and appreciate the contribution that a study of Chemistry makes to our understanding of the world.
The Chemistry Stage 6 course is designed for those students who have a substantial achievement level based on the Stages 4–5 Science course performance descriptors. The subject matter of the Chemistry course recognises the different needs and interests of students by providing a structure that builds upon the foundations laid in Stage 5 yet recognises that students entering Stage 6 have a wide range of abilities, circumstances and expectations.
Ref: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/physics.html
Rationale for Physics in the Stage 6 Curriculum
Physics in Science Stage 6 provides students with a contemporary and coherent understanding of energy, matter, and their interrelationships. It focuses on investigating natural phenomena and then applying patterns, models (including mathematical ones), principles, theories and laws to explain the physical behaviour of the universe. It uses an understanding of simple systems (single particles and pairs of particles) to make predictions about a range of objects from sub-atomic particles to the entire universe and aims to reveal the simplicity underlying complexity.
The study of physics relies on the understanding and application of a small number of basic laws and principles that govern the microscopic and macroscopic worlds. The study of physics provides students with an understanding of systems that is the basis of the development of technological applications. The interplay between concepts and technological and societal impacts is embodied in the history and philosophy of science and forms a continuum relating our past to our future.
Physics Stage 6 draws upon and builds on the knowledge and understanding, skills and values and attitudes developed in Science Stages 4–5. It further develops students' understanding of science as a continually developing body of knowledge, the interdisciplinary nature of science, the role of experiment in deciding between competing theories, the provisional nature of scientific explanations, the complex relationship between evidence and ideas and the impact of science on society.
The study of physics involves the students working individually and with others in active, practical, field and interactive media experiences that are related to the theoretical concepts considered in the course. It is expected that students studying Physics Stage 6 will apply investigative and problem-solving skills, effectively communicate the theoretical concepts considered in the course and appreciate the contribution that a study of physics makes to our understanding of the world.
The Physics Stage 6 course is designed for those students who have a substantial achievement level based on the Science Stages 4–5 course performance descriptors. The subject matter of the Physics course recognises the different needs and interests of students by providing a structure that builds upon the foundations laid in Stage 5 yet recognises that students entering Stage 6 have a wide range of abilities, circumstances and expectations.
Ref: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/senior-science.html
Rationale for Senior Science in the Stage 6 Curriculum
The study of Senior Science Stage 6 provides students with a contemporary and coherent understanding of some of the basic laws, theories and principles of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth and Environmental Science and their application. It includes an examination of the technology that uses these laws, theories and principles and the impact of this science and technology on society. It reflects the interdisciplinary nature of science with a focus on the interdependence of science, technology and society.
Senior Science Stage 6 caters to a wide range of students who wish to become scientifically literate citizens. The course encourages students to develop a range of practical skills including the use of current instrumentation, information technology and an increased ability to communicate understanding. Senior Science Stage 6 focuses on all of these areas framed within the principles of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth and Environmental Science.
Senior Science Stage 6 draws upon and builds on the knowledge and understanding, skills and values and attitudes developed in Science Stages 4–5. It further develops students' understanding of science as a continually developing body of knowledge, of the role of experimentation in deciding between competing theories and of the provisional nature of scientific explanations. In addition, this course develops further understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of science, the complex relationship between evidence and ideas and the impact of science on society.
The study of Senior Science Stage 6 involves the students working individually and with others in the laboratory, in the field and with interactive multimedia, gaining experiences that are related to the theoretical concepts considered in the course. It is expected that students studying Senior Science Stage 6 will apply investigative and problem-solving skills, effectively communicate scientific information and understanding and appreciate the contribution that a study of science makes to our understanding of the world.
Senior Science Stage 6 caters for a wide range of students, providing stimulation for students who have achieved elementary to substantial achievement level in the Science Stages 4–5 course.
Students who have completed the Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science or Physics Preliminary course but do not wish to continue on to the HSC in that course can elect to undertake the Senior Science HSC course.