YEAR 10 | SCIENCE ACCELERATION

It may be possible for highly capable and motivated students to accelerate to complete Units 1 and 2 Biology, Psychology or Environmental Science in Year 10. This will be subject to criteria and minimum standards achieved in Year 9. Accelerating students will be required to choose an additional Science unit from the Year 10 options to complete in Year 10.

VCE Biology (Whole year: 2 units)

Unit 1:

How do organisms regulate their functions?

Students will examine the cell as the structural and functional unit of life, from the single celled to the multicellular organism, including the requirements for sustaining cellular processes.

Unit 2:

How does inheritance impact on diversity?

Students explore the reproduction and transmission of biological information from generation to generation and the impacts of diversity within the species.

See page 27 of the Senior Subject Information Booklet for more details.

Further information regarding science acceleration options can be found in the Senior Information Booklet, page 14.

VCE Psychology (Whole year: 2 units)

Unit 1:

How are behaviour and mental processes shaped?

Students explore how psychological and social factors influence different aspects of a person’s psychological development and consider interactive influences of hereditary and environmental factors.

Unit 2:

How do internal and external factors influence behaviour and mental processes?

Students explore the behaviour of individuals and groups and the factors and contexts that have an influence. They investigate the role of social cognition in a person’s attitudes, perception of themselves and relationship with others.

See page 31 of the Senior Subject Information Booklet for more details.

Environmental Science (Whole year: 2 units)

Unit 1:

How are Earth’s dynamic systems interconnected to support life?

Students examine the processes and interactions occurring within and between Earth’s four systems with a focus on the functioning of ecosystems and their impact on local, regional, and global environmental conditions.

Unit 2:

What affects Earth’s capacity to sustain life?

Students consider environmental challenges such as pollution, food and water security through examination of their characteristics, impacts, assessment and management. Students undertake a student-designed investigation exploring how science can be applied tp address Earth’s capacity to sustain life.

See page 29 of the Senior Subject Information Booklet for more details.