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Year 11 subject descriptions

English as a Second Language

This subject caters for the needs of students for whom English is a second language. It aims to accelerate the acquisition of English by improving students' ability and confidence to communicate in a variety of everyday situations. Attention is given to listening, speaking, reading, and writing tasks. These tasks provide students with the opportunity to learn the language and participate in the culture of Australia.

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Economics

This subject aims to make students aware of current economic issues and problems. A compulsory section, The Economic Framework, examines the nature of economics and focuses on the market economy using specific Australian examples. Other optional areas for study include The Stock Market; Australian Market Forms; Economics of Labour; Economics of Poverty, Health and Education; Firms and Production; Agricultural Economics; Environmental Economics; Australia and ASEAN; and Minerals and Energy Economics.

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Accounting

In this subject students learn skills which will be useful to them in their personal lives, in the workplace or as background to higher studies in Accounting. The subject includes basic record keeping, columnar records, depreciation, profit determination, presentation of accounting reports and a choice of one of six options - Farm Accounting, Computerised Accounting, Incomplete Accounting Records, Costing for a Small Business, Subsidiary Ledgers and Control Accounts and the Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST).

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Information Systems

This subject will help students identify the need for information systems, and introduce them to the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required for their development and evaluation. Students will be expected to design, implement and evaluate computer based information systems using a variety of productivity and/or programming tools. This subject provides students with a solid basis for further study in a wide range of disciplines.

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Foundations of Mathematics

Foundations of Mathematics is intended for students who wish to study mathematics in their final years at school and who may be preparing for entry to tertiary courses which do not have a strong mathematical requirement. Successful completion of Foundations of Mathematics provides a suitable background for the Year 12 subject Discrete Mathematics.

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Introductory Calculus

This subject is intended for more mathematically able students who desire a strong mathematical preparation for tertiary studies. Successful completion of Introductory Calculus provides a suitable preparation for the Year 12 subject Applicable Mathematics. Successful completion of Introductory Calculus, together with successful completion of Geometry and Trigonometry, provides a suitable preparation for the Year 12 subject Calculus. Introductory Calculus provides an introduction to the differential and integral calculus and its applications. It has sections entitled Powers and Polynomials, Exponentials and Logarithms, Differentiation, Applications of the Derivative, Integration and Applications of the Integral.

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Physics

In this subject, students will study the concepts of Physics related to energy in everyday life, movement and electricity. Students will develop an understanding of these concepts and their application in a number of relevant contexts such as photography, heat and the human body, heat and motor vehicles, ionising radiation and the human body, water and air sports, domestic electricity and electrical safety. Students will also have the opportunity to develop skills in a number of intellectual, scientific and mathematical areas and to extend their understanding of natural phenomena, the technological applications of science and their scientific heritage. They are also encouraged to develop and improve their written and oral communication skills by making presentations to peers. This subject involves a significant component of practical work through which students gain valuable understanding of the principles of Physics and develop experimental skills.

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Human Biology

Human Biology is relevant to everyday living, catering for students interested in how their body functions. It will be especially useful for students wishing to enter vocations in medical and other health-related areas, teaching and sports science. Human Biology is the scientific study of humans. Year 11 considers our relationship with the primates; the coordinated functioning of the musculo-skeletal system; the supply of raw materials needed by cells through gas exchange, nutrient intake and internal transport; cell structure and functioning; human reproduction and development and significant human diseases. Students will be involved in laboratory investigations, project work and assignments and are expected to achieve competence in the process skills of science.

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Chemistry

This subject provides a broad introduction to chemical science. Laboratory work is an essential part, enabling students to investigate the properties and reactions of substances. The main topics for study include properties of matter, gases, solutions, atomic structure and bonding, acids and bases, and chemical reactions in organic and inorganic chemistry. This subject is relevant for students who are interested in the behaviour of substances and for those students who wish to follow scientific, engineering or related vocations such as medicine or nursing.

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