Changes to Stage 6 Science Pattern and Pathways of Study

The pattern and pathways of study requirements for Stage 6 Science courses have been amended.

From 2018 students will continue to be able to study six units of Science in Year 11 and for the 2019 HSC examination students can study up to seven units of Science in Year 12. This change allows for the study of Science Extension - a new one unit Year 12 course which will be examined for the first time as part of the 2019 HSC.

Students may study one of, or any combination of, the following Stage 6 Science courses up to a maximum of 7 HSC units:

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

The above Stage 6 Science courses including the Investigating Science course may provide entry into the new Science Extension (Year 12) course which has been developed to engage high-achieving students and better prepare them for university and careers in STEM.

Commencing in 2018 students may study up to six units of Science Life Skills courses in Year 11 and Year 12.

The new Science Life Skills Stage 6 Syllabus includes the following course options:

• Chemical World Science Life Skills
• Earth and Space Science Life Skills
• Investigating Science Life Skills
• Living World Science Life Skills
• Physical World Science Life Skills.

Each Science Life Skills course contributes 2 units of study in Year 11 and Year 12. Students can complete one of, or any combination of, Science Life Skills courses to contribute up to six units of study towards their Preliminary or HSC pattern of study. Science Life Skills courses will not provide entry into the new Science Extension (Year 12) course.

Exclusions

As with the study of all Board Developed Courses, exclusions apply to the study of Life Skills courses such that students may not study more than one 240-hour course in the same subject. For example, a student cannot include both Investigating Science and Investigating Science Life Skills in the pattern of study for the award of the Higher School Certificate.

For more information, contact:
curriculum@nesa.nsw.edu.au