Science
Science at high school
In high school, the study of Science helps students develop developing critical thinking skills. The science curriculum promotes awareness of students’ impact on the environment and society.
Class structure and opportunities in Science
Year 7
All students take a Science class four times a week.
Year 8
All students take a Science class four times a week.
Year 9
All students take a Science class four times a week.
Year 10
All students take a Science class four times a week.
Optional electives:
- Medical Science (two times a week)
- Science Discovery (once a week for one semester only).
Year 11 and 12
Year 11 and 12 students may choose to study one or more of the below courses and will attend each course four times a week:
- Biology (ATAR)
- Chemistry (ATAR)
- Human Biology (ATAR and General)
- Physics (ATAR)
Science in Years 7 to 10
Coursework in Years 7 to 9 Science
Science coursework is divided into three major strands, ‘Science Inquiry Skills’, ‘Science as a Human Endeavour,’ and ‘Science Understanding’. The Science Understanding strand is further divided into ‘Chemical Science’, ‘Physical Science’, ‘Biological Science’, and ‘Earth and Space Science’ learning units.
In Year 7, students learn about;
- the skills of a Scientist (Science Inquiry Skills);
- substances (Chemical Science);
- living things (Biological Science);
- forces and machines (Physical Science); and
- the sky and earth’s resources (Earth and Space Science).
In Year 8, students investigate:
- chemistry (Chemical Science);
- energy (Physical Science);
- body systems (Biological Science); and
- geology (Earth and Space Science).
In Year 9, students investigate:
- heat and electricity (Physical Science);
- ecology (Earth and Space Science with Biological Science);
- maintaining balance (Biological Science); and
- interactions in chemistry (Chemical Science).
Coursework in Year 10 Science
Students continue to study a common coursework in Year 10 Science, and two additional Science Electives are available for students with interest in science discovery and medical science.
During Year 10 students choose their subjects for Year 11 and complete a Science Exam. Some ATAR subjects available in Year 11 require students to meet certain prerequisites results in their Year 10 Science Exam.
The four common Year 10 Science Units are:
- Chemistry;
- Physics;
- Earth and Space Sciences; and
- Biological Science.
The Science Electives available to Year 10 students are:
- Science Discovery:
Science Discovery is an elective unit designed for students with a strong interest in science. The unit includes exploration of topics like forensic science, physics of car design, kitchen chemistry, cosmetics, the stars and beyond, rocketry, and the science behind toys. - Medical Science:
Medical Science is an elective unit designed for students with an interest in pursuing careers in the medical industry, such as medicine, dentistry, and radiography. The unit includes exploration of topics like the human body, microbiology, diseases, health and lifestyle choices, and modern medical technologies.
Year 10 prerequisite results required for enrolment in Year 11 ATAR Science courses:
- For ATAR Chemistry and ATAR Physics students must achieve a minimum of 65% or more in their Year 10 Science Exam.
- For ATAR Biology and ATAR Human Biology students must achieve a minimum of 60% or more in their Year 10 Science Exam.
Science in Year 11 and Year 12
Four course options for Science in Year 11 and Year 12
In Year 11 and Year 12 there are four courses of Science study available:
- Biological Sciences;
- Chemistry;
- Human Biology (General and ATAR); and
- Physics.
More information
Learning content and opportunities
Read about what content is covered in classes, and what opportunities are available within each Learning Area in the Curriculum Handbooks.
Curriculum in Western Australia
Read more about the curriculum in WA on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s webpages for Pre-primary to Year 10 and Year 11 and Year 12.