Overview

It is strongly recommended that students wishing to choose science in VCE, choose the appropriate Year 10 science subject/s, to ensure they are prepared for their VCE subject/s. Students wishing to study a full year of science are recommended to take both the Biology and Psychology and the Chemistry and Physics electives. Students can choose a semester of science to suit their interests and needs. 

Pre VCE Biology – The Study of Living things

This course provides students with the opportunity to study the topic of Genetics, which is recommended for progression towards the study of VCE Biology.

Look like Mum or Dad? Want to know why? This subject will help students understand the amazing processes occurring inside our cells that is the world of genetics. How genes are made and expressed, patterns of inheritance and the investigation of genetic mutations and disorders are studied during this unit. The process of cell division will be directly observed and DNA, the blueprint of life, will be separated from the nucleus of a cell.

Students planning on studying VCE Biology are required to undertake this subject.

Assessment tasks:

Practical reports

Research Investigations

Tests

Posters

Exam

Pre VCE Psychology – The Study of the Mind

This course will support those wishing to study VCE Psychology.

Students will be introduced to the exciting world of psychology and its various branches, gaining an understanding of the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Famous psychologists and their theories on these relationships will be investigated. A range of visual illusions will be examined in order to understand the difference between sensation and perception and a research project undertaken with subjects selected from within the College community. Want to know your path in life? The ‘otherworld’ of pseudosciences, such as horoscopes and palmistry, are also investigated.

Students planning on studying VCE Psychology are required to undertake this subject.

Assessment tasks:

Practical reports

Research Investigations

Tests

Posters

Exam

Pre VCE Chemistry – The study of matter

The Year 10 Chemistry provides students with the opportunity to readily prepare for VCE Chemistry. Students will further their knowledge on the periodic table and the structure of the atom. They will investigate the bonding models of ionic and covalent compounds. They will extend their understanding of the main types of reactions such as synthesis, decomposition, combustion and acid and bases. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and investigate how reactions can be sped up through the means of temperatures, concentrations and surface area.

Students planning on studying VCE Chemistry are required to undertake this subject.

Assessment tasks:

Practical reports

Research Task

Tests

Exam

Pre VCE Physics – The study of how things work

Year 10 Physics will cover the topics of forces and their effect on motion, as well as Newton’s three laws of Motion.  Students will build upon their skills in critical thinking, report writing, interpretation of data and using formulae to gain an understanding of how these laws of motion apply to them in the real world.

Students planning on studying VCE Physics are required to undertake this subject.

Assessment tasks:

Practical reports

Research Task

Tests

Exam

Environmental Science

Students learn about various ecosystems and their impact on living things. They explore how changes that have taken place in the past impact the future environment. They will explore the impact of pollution on the environment and what human actions can be taken to minimise this impact. Students will learn what is involved in providing a suitable ecosystem by taking care of a class pet animal.

Assessment tasks:

  • Research reports
  • Scientific posters
  • Group projects

Advice to students

Prior to completing this subject, students should have completed Year 9 Science in Semester 1.

This subject is only offered to students who will not be undertaking any pre-VCE science subjects.

Incursion/excursion costs of $50 or less will be required as part of this subject.

Food Science

This subject introduces the basic concepts of both food science and nutrition. Students learn about the structure and physical and chemical properties of the food components. They develop an understanding of the nutritional aspect of food in the human body, covering basic physiological and biochemical processes. They will learn about digestion, absorption, nutritional significance and health effects of the macro and micronutrients, and the basic biochemistry of energy metabolism. Students will further explore the dietary concepts of energy balance and diet planning. They will design and produce healthy recipes.

Assessment tasks:

  • Investigation reports
  • Food analysis tasks
  • Creating recipes

Advice for Students

Prior to completing this subject, students should have completed Year 9 Science in Semester 1.

This subject is only offered to students who will not be undertaking any pre-VCE science subjects.

Incursion/excursion costs of $50 or less will be required as part of this subject.