Science Extension Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
About the course
Students propose and develop a research question, formulate a hypothesis and develop evidence-based responses to create their Scientific Research Report which is supported by a Scientific Research Portfolio.
Science Extension is a course with a focus on the authentic application of scientific research skills to produce a Scientific Research Report generally acceptable for publication.
Students who have shown an achievement in, and/or aptitude for, any of the Stage 6 Science courses: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science or Physics, in Year 11 may choose to study Science Extension in Year 12.
Students propose and develop a research question, formulate a hypothesis and develop evidence-based responses to create a Scientific Research Report, which is supported and evidenced by a Scientific Research Portfolio. The four modules integrate the skills of Working Scientifically within the course content to form the framework for the Scientific Research Project.
Year 12 course
The Year 12 course consists of four modules:
- 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
Board Developed Course
Course number(s):
- 15345 Science Extension (1 unit – Year 12)
Prerequisites: Study of at least one of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science or Physics in Year 11 and continue the study of at least one of these science courses throughout Year 12.
Corequisites: One of, or a combination (up to 7 units of study) of, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science or Physics in Year 12.
Pattern of study: A student may count up to:
- Year 11: Six units of Science
- Year 12: Seven units of Science
to satisfy pattern of study requirements for the HSC.
Eligibility: Nil
Study via self-tuition: No
Exclusions:
- 16648 Chemical World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16648 Chemical World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
- 16649 Earth and Space Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16649 Earth and Space Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
- 16642 Investigating Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16642 Investigating Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
- 16644 Living World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16644 Living World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
- 16646 Physical World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16646 Physical World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
Prerequisite courses for Science Extension Year 12 are one of, or a combination (up to 6 units of study) of, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science or Physics in Year 11.
Co-requisite courses for Science Extension Year 12 are one of, or a combination (up to 7 units of study) of, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science or Physics in Year 12.
Students must propose and develop a research question, formulate a hypothesis and develop evidence-based responses in the form of a Scientific Research Report, which is supported by a Scientific Research Portfolio.
The Scientific Research Report is a result of the student’s own work and must adhere to the principles and practices of good scholarship, as identified in the HSC: All My Own Work course. While students may collaborate with and draw upon the expertise, knowledge and data held by others in developing their Scientific Research Report and Portfolio, this assistance must be referenced using accepted protocols.
All scientific research must be sensitive to community expectations and individual school requirements in relation to the question being interrogated. Students must adhere to ethical practices in the collection and analysis of data and the communication of results.
The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways.
Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website:
Assessment and exam information and support
Teaching and learning support
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