Integrated Science (General)
Course Code: GEISC/GTISC
Domain: Science
Timetable: Semester 1 and 2
Length of Course: 2 Years
Unit Information
Science is a dynamic, collaborative human activity that uses distinctive ways of valuing, thinking and working
to understand natural phenomena. Science is based on people’s aspirations and motivations to follow their
curiosity and wonder about the physical, biological and technological world. Scientific knowledge represents
the constructions made by people endeavouring to explain their observations of the world around them.
Scientific explanations are built in different ways as people pursue intuitive and imaginative ideas, respond
in a rational way to hunches, guesses and chance events, challenge attitudes of the time, and generate a
range of solutions to problems, building on existing scientific knowledge. As a result of these endeavours,
people can use their scientific understandings with confidence in their daily lives. Because scientific
explanations are open to scrutiny, scientific knowledge may be tentative and is continually refined in the
light of new evidence.
The Integrated Science General course is a course grounded in the belief that science is, in essence, a
practical activity. From this stems the view that conceptual understandings in science derive from a need to
find solutions to real problems in the first instance. The inquiring scientist may then take these
understandings and apply them in a new context, often quite removed from their original field. This course
seeks to reflect this creative element of science as inquiry. It should involve students in research that
develops a variety of skills, including the use of appropriate technology, an array of diverse methods of
investigation, and a sense of the practical application of the domain. It emphasises formulating and testing
hypotheses and the critical importance of evidence in forming conclusions. This course enables them to
investigate science issues in the context of the world around them, and encourages student collaboration
and cooperation with community members employed in scientific pursuits. It requires them to be creative,
intellectually honest, to evaluate arguments with skepticism, and to conduct their investigations in ways that
are ethical, fair and respectful of others.
The Integrated Science General course is inclusive and aims to be attractive to students with a wide variety
of backgrounds, interests and career aspirations.
Year 11
Unit One
In this unit, students develop an understanding of the processes involved in the functioning of systems from
the macro level (cycles in nature and Earth systems) to systems at the organism, cellular and molecular level.
They investigate and describe the effect of human activity on the functioning of cycles in nature. By
integrating their understanding of Earth and biological systems, students come to recognise the
interdependence of these systems.
Students investigate structure and function of cells, organs and organisms, and the interrelationship
between the biological community and the physical environment. They use a variety of practical activities to
investigate patterns in relationships between organisms.
Practical experiences form an important part of this course. They provide valuable opportunities for students
to work together to collect and interpret first-hand data in the field or the laboratory. In order to understand
the interconnectedness of organisms to their physical environment, and the impact of human activity,
students analyse and interpret data collected through investigations in the context studied. They will also
use sources relating to other Australian, regional and global environments.
Unit Two
In this unit, students develop an understanding of the processes involved in the transformations and
redistributions of matter and energy in biological, chemical and physical systems, from the atomic to the
macro level. Students will investigate the properties of elements, compounds and mixtures, and how
substances interact with each other in chemical reactions to produce new substances. They explore the
concepts of forces, energy and motion and recognise how an increased understanding of scientific concepts
has led to the development of useful technologies and systems.
Practical experiences are an important part of this course that provide valuable opportunities for students to
work together to collect and interpret first-hand data. In order to understand the interconnectedness of
organisms to their physical environment, and the impact of human activity, students analyse and interpret
data collected through investigation of the context studied. They will also use sources relating to other
Australian, regional and global environments.
Year 12
Unit Three
In this unit, students integrate ideas relating to the processes involved in the movement of energy and
matter in ecosystems. They investigate and describe a number of diverse ecosystems, exploring the range of
living and non-living components, to understand the dynamics, diversity and interrelationships of these
systems.
They investigate ecosystem dynamics, including interactions within and between species, and interactions
between living and non-living components of ecosystems. They also investigate how measurements of
population numbers, species diversity, and descriptions of species interactions, can form the basis for
comparisons between ecosystems.
Fieldwork is an important part of this course. Fieldwork provides valuable opportunities for students to work
together to collect first-hand data and to experience local ecosystem interactions. In order to understand
the interconnectedness of organisms, the physical environment and human activity, students analyse and
interpret data collected through investigation of a local environment. They will also use sources relating to
other Australian, regional and global environments.
Unit Four
This unit provides students with the opportunity to conduct scientific investigations that will increase their
understanding of important scientific concepts and processes. Students will explore the properties of
chemical substances that determine their use, and the techniques involved in separating mixtures and
solutions. They will investigate forces acting upon an object and the effects of kinetic, potential and heat
energy on objects. Students will discover the way in which increases in the understanding of scientific
concepts have led to the development of useful technologies and systems.
Practical experiences are an essential part of the Integrated Science General course. Investigations and
experimentation should be incorporated into the delivery of the course and designed to further develop the
students’ skills in the areas of formulating hypothesis, planning, conducting, representing data in meaningful
ways, interpreting data and scientific texts, and communicating findings to specific audiences using ICT and
multimodal formats.
Pathway Information
Tertiary
Workforce
Students undertaking this course may wish to consider tertiary studies in:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
This course suits direct workforce entry into the following:
- Laboratory Worker
- Conservation
- Agriculture
Additional Information
Estimated Charges: $70