Accounting | Biology | Chemistry | Computer Science | Economics | English | Geography | Maths | Media Studies & Communication | Music | Philosophy & Ethics | Physics
Financial Accounting - Classification and Presentation
This accounting unit presents financial accounting as a set of information that when understood adds value to the contribution every individual makes to the world. The topics are presented using a spreadsheet and transaction approach. Financial Reports (Income Statement and Balance Sheet) will be prepared and integrated into the topics during the term. The course contains no debits and
credits; it is not a bookkeeping course.
Financial Accounting – The Accounting Records
In this unit financial accounting is presented as a set of information that when understood adds value to the contribution every individual makes to the world. Students are introduced to the bookkeeping elements of accounting. The topics are presented using general journals and T-form of general ledger. Financial Reports (Income Statement and Balance Sheet) will be prepared and integrated into the topics during the term. There is no prerequisite knowledge for this unit.
Accounting – Regulation, Analysis and Interpretation
This accounting unit presents accounting as a set of information that when understood adds value to the contribution every individual makes to the world. Students are introduced to the analysis and interpretation of financial information, the regulation of accounting information and the concepts and principles of corporate governance.
Management Accounting – Planning and Control
This accounting unit presents management accounting as a set of information that when understood adds value to the contribution every individual makes to the world. Students are introduced to the usefulness of accounting information to managers and employees of the business. The unit highlights the significance of planning, budgeting and control for business.
Cells, Systems and Balance
This unit introduces fundamental biological concepts and forms the starting point for students without reasonable biological background. The topics include:
• Cell structure and function
• Enzymes and protein
• Gas exchange and transport in plants
• Homeostasis.
New Generations
This unit introduces genetics and may be studied independently of any other biology unit. The topics include:
• Cytology
• Reproduction
• Inheritance
• Biotechnology.
Evolution
This unit introduces the basic theories of evolution. The topic is taught through the exploration of available evidence.
The topics include:
• Modern Theories of Biological Evolution
• Human Evolution
• Techniques and Evidence
• Cultural Evolution.
Organisms in the Environment
This unit introduces the study of organisms, including human organisms, and their interaction with and within their environments. The topics include:
• Basic ecology/ecosystem concepts
• Interaction and change
• Human impact and ecosystems
• Management and conservation.
Descriptive Chemistry
This unit is designed to introduce and reinforce the fundamentals of chemistry. Topics covered will include the atomic structure, the periodic table, solutions, the mole concept and stoichiometry, and chemical reactions. This unit provides practical experience in experimentation and is an ideal base for students with limited background in Chemistry.
Inorganic Chemistry
This unit is designed to introduce and reinforce the fundamentals of chemistry. As well as encountering chemical bonding, gases and gas laws, and thermochemistry this unit provides practical experience in experimentation.
This unit provides foundation concepts and practical skills useful in Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Medicine, Pharmacy and Science.
Analytical and Organic Chemistry
This unit is designed to introduce and reinforce the fundamentals of chemistry. As well as encountering chemical analyses and organic chemistry, this unit provides practical experience in experimentation.
Physical Chemistry
This unit is designed to introduce and reinforce the fundamentals of chemistry. As well as encountering electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, periodic table trends and transition elements, and acids and bases theory, this unit provides practical experience in experimentation.
Word Processing and Presentation
The purpose of this unit is primarily to expose the students to commonly used business applications programs; including word processors and presentation managers, and the effectiveness of these applications. The software used is Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint.
The unit also identifies key ergonomic health and safety issues which are of importance in a computing business environment.
Business Application: Spreadsheets and the Internet
The purpose of this unit is primarily to expose the students to a commonly used business applications program, namely spreadsheets. The software used is Microsoft Excel. The unit also identifies key features of the Internet which are of importance in a business computing environment.
Programming with Visual Basic.Net
This unit introduces key program design and coding concepts. After completing this unit, students will be able to produce workable, efficient code. The student will also be able to employ testing procedures to ensure the correctness of program design and operation.
Databases with Web Applications
The purpose of this unit, is to expose the students to commonly used databases. Database language is also introduced and covers webpage design interfacing with databases and other applications.
After completing this unit the student will be familiar with the basics of using a computer and how a database operates in a web environment. The student will be able to identify the devices commonly used in conjunction with the computer and will recognise the various computer interfaces including: command line, menu driven and graphical user interfaces.
The Economic Framework
This Economics unit examines the features of economies and in particular the Australian economic system. There is analysis of markets, the concepts of supply and demand are discussed and students will use a variety of sources to research economic information.
Economic Management Using Microeconomic Policy
This Economics unit examines the features of economies and in particular the Australian economic system. There is analysis of contemporary markets, the role of governments in markets and governments strategies in setting microeconomic policy. Students will use a variety of sources to research economic information.
Macroeconomic Policy
This Economics unit examines the macroeconomic features of economies and in particular the Australian economic system. The nature and purpose of economic activity, the meaning of market and non-market activity and the characteristics of business cycles are discussed.
Objectives and Performance
This Economics unit examines the macroeconomic objectives of government, specifically the meaning and measurement of economic growth, full employment, price and external stability. Students will collect the relevant data and information necessary to discuss the performance of government relative to its economic objectives.
Research
Participants will complete a university-style research project over a 10-week period. The subject and terms of reference for the project are to be developed by the participant, with guidance from the teacher. This process involves choosing a topic, researching the necessary information/consulting and interviewing people, presenting the project to an audience, evaluating the project, presenting a written report on the project and referencing appropriately. There will also be a focus on analytical essay writing.
Use of English
In this unit, participants will be required to develop their range of language and expression, with an explicit focus on grammatical structure and the use of formal, informal, colloquial and idiomatic language. Both native speakers and ESL students will benefit from this unit on advanced language skills in the university context, focusing on recognising style and tone and irony, exaggeration and figurative language, identifying gist and identifying specific information, writing news articles, business proposals and critical reviews. There will also be a focus on argumentative essay writing.
Theme
Participants will complete a thematic study over a 10-week period on the topic of “courage and endurance” where they examine abstract concepts and gain experience in reading, writing, discussing and critical thinking regarding ideas, texts, symbols and illustrations. The theme will be studied through the reading of a novel, articles, documentaries, movies and other media extracts. Participants will complete critical written responses and oral presentations on the topic. There will also be a focus on analytical essay writing.
Journals
In this unit, participants are expected to complete selfpaced, but guided web-based information literacy training, focusing on proficiency in print and web-based research, refining key word search skills, database searching skills, avoiding plagiarism and collusion, and recording and acknowledging sources. Tutorial participation and contribution, and questioning and challenging academic
viewpoints will be assessed as part of the unit score. Participants will select subject specific journals (print or online) to critically analyse, review, summarize and make recommendations for further research and study, over a 5-week period. There will be an introduction to report writing, both general academic reports, and more specialised business reports. Participants will also focus on listening comprehension skills and expository essay writing.
University Project
In this unit, participants will conduct a 5-week research assignment on their proposed course of study at university, to build subject specific knowledge and language, and to ensure correct university course choice. This will focus on the university course content, reading lists, texts and journals, subject specific language and a comparative study of the same course at a different university. Participants will also develop higher-level academic skills, including strategic decision making skills, question analysis, critical analysis and creative thinking skills, and understanding and describing information in data, statistics, graphs and charts. Finally, there will be a focus on argumentative or expository essay writing.
Population
This unit introduces socio-economic concepts to students who have not studied geography before. The topics include:
• World demographic concepts
• Rural and urban settlement patterns
• Map interpretation skills
• Population characteristics
• One day field trip.
Economic Systems
This unit introduces a global approach to an understanding of socio-economic systems. The topics include:
• Globalisation of industry and economic systems
• Stages of economic growth
• Problems created by urban environments
• Wheat/sheep industry in WA as an economic system
• Map interpretation skills
• One day field trip.
Landforms
This unit deals with tectonic forces and the gradational processes and their impact on the human environment.The topics include:
• Earth systems
• Fluvial systems
• Coastal geomorphology
• Map interpretation skills
• Two – one day field trips.
Environment
This unit introduces the concepts in the study of the biosphere. The topics include:
• Atmospheric systems; weather and climate
• Ecosystems as dynamic systems in the biosphere
• Ecosystems and human factors
• Map interpretation skills
• One day field trip
Descriptive Mathematics
This unit introduces basic areas of study in linear, quadratic and cubic function graphing, statistics and geometry. Assessment will include a test, written and oral projects and an examination. It is suitable for students who only wish to study some Foundation mathematics at a less complex level. However it may also form the basis for more advanced work through the additional selection
of other units. Capable students of mathematics may elect to bypass this unit in pursuit of more advanced studies in mathematics.
Techniques in Mathematics
This unit introduces number patterns and sequences, indices, logarithms and basic trigonometry. Students will study the properties of arithmetic and geometric sequences and series and difference equations associated with each; basic index laws and indicial equations; exponential and natural logarithm equations and modelling; the trigonometry of triangles in two and three dimensional situations. Students requiring basic to medium level Foundation mathematics would be expected to undertake this unit.
Calculus
This introduces trigonometrical ratios in the unit circle; trigonometrical equations and graphs with associated transformations; first principles differentiation and integration and the basic rules of differentiation and integration; the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus; simple applications of differentiation and integration. It provides a vital basic introduction to advanced trigonometry and calculus and is essential for all students wishing to pursue further studies with a mathematical or scientific background.
Predictive Mathematics
This unit introduces the bivariate statistical tools of regression analysis and moving averages, matrix algebra and its applications, probability distributions for discrete and continuous random variables. The three main topics covered within this unit are quite separate and will be of general interest to students destined for a wide range of career paths.
Analytical Mathematics
This unit introduces advanced function graphing, linear programming, advanced trigonometrical functions and graphs, vector geometry and its applications. The topics covered are quite discrete and require students to have a good background in mathematics. Students seriously considering career paths with major mathematical and scientific backgrounds should select this unit.
Applied Mathematics
This unit includes complex numbers and planes, advanced calculus applications including second derivatives, inverses, trig identity integration, partial fraction integration, differential equations and the mathematics of kinematics. Students should have a sound knowledge of calculus before attempting this unit which is ideally suited for students advancing to engineering or higher level mathematical studies.
Media Studies and Communication: Theory
This unit will focus on Media in Society – media institutions, target audiences and the cultural, social, political and technological influences on media production and consumption. Participants will also build Media Literacy – the ability to critically understand and respond to a wide range of media texts. There will be some focus on Media Production skills, including practical sessions
on Adobe Photoshop. The course content will include research on Print media – magazines/newspapers, Film/TV/Video, and digital media – websites, blogs, graphic art and desktop publishing.
Participants will complete critical media responses and a 5-week research assignment into a selected media type.
Production
This unit focuses on Media Production and Media Literacy. Participants will complete practical production skills sessions in digital movie-making and digital editing. Participants will complete a group production assignment, focusing on print, film or digital media – planning, development, revision/editing and finally presentation to other groups. Productions will be critically analysed by
other groups and, where possible, UWA communications lecturers. There will also be a continued focus on Media impact theory, ethics and law.
Music
Music is not taught as part of The University of Western Australia Foundation Program at Taylor’s College. Students considering entry into any of the Music performance degrees at the UWA School of Music, need to have achieved a performance standard of AMEB Grade 7 or higher and a theory standard of at least AMEB Grade 5, or their equivalents. An audition is also required. Queries about AMEB standards should be directed to the AMEB WA State Office amebwa@cyllene.uwa.edu.au. Students wishing to achieve AMEB standards through private tuition should expect to pay a minimum of $52 per hour to accredited teachers*.
*Private tuition fees are determined by AMEB. Tuition fees are correct at the time of printing but are subject to change without notice.
Philosophy and Ethics addresses the important issues that provide students with a deep understanding of the profound issues they face in the 21st century. They will enhance their abilities to think critically, develop the skills of moral reasoning and the capacity to communicate effectively. Most important of all may well be their grasp of the vital need for reflective thought about ourselves and society that thinking people recognise to be a duty we owe to our very humanity.
Historical Perspective
This unit introduces students to the important early theories that make a full understanding of Philosophy possible.
Contemporary Perspective
This unit critically explains contemporary philosophical issues, deepening and widening our students' philosophical sophistication and critical acumen.
Waves
This Unit introduces the mechanics of Waves and their application to Sound and Light. Reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference are all covered. The aim is to ensure a significant understanding of the concepts involved and to provide basic quantitative exploration of fundamental formulae.
Mechanics
This unit introduces the mathematics of linear motion, the cause and effect of motion, work and energy, circular motion and gravitation. Kinematics is the study of motion without considering its
causes. The key concepts are those represented by the words displacement, velocity and acceleration. Dynamics extends the study of motion by relating acceleration to force and mass in linear and rotational situations. Newton’s Laws form the basis of dynamics.
Electricity and Magnetism
This unit introduces the concepts underlying the electrical technology which has had an immense effect on everyday life since its introduction in the nineteenth century. It covers the fundamental concepts of electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism and introduces the quantitative formulae which transform the concepts into everyday applications. The treatment of material in this unit is such that significant understanding of the underlying concepts is expected. Where applicable quantitative analysis will complement the understandings gained. Assessments will reflect an equal balance of conceptual understanding and mathematical application.
Thermal and Modern Physics
This unit introduces the physics of thermal energy including thermodynamics together with atomic and nuclear physics. Thermal physics complements chemistry in developing an understanding of behaviour of matter at a super-atomic level. Transfer of energy and change of state affect all branches of science. Atomic and nuclear physics provide a brief study of knowledge gained in the modern era of physics. This window of time since the start of the twentieth century has seen many of the classical theories of physics seriously challenged.
