Earth and Environmental Science
This course is a combination of Biology, Ecology and Geology/Geography. The study of planet Earth and its environments recognises that while humans are part of nature they continue to have a greater influence on the environment than any other species.
Earth and Environmental Science is not isolated from the other science disciplines and the multi-disciplinary nature of many aspects of the subject is recognised. It therefore overlaps beautifully with Biology and Geography in a pattern of study. It is expected that students studying Earth and Environmental Science will apply investigative and problem-solving skills, effectively communicate information and appreciate the contribution that a study of planet earth and its environments makes to our understanding of the world. The study of the geography and various ecosystems of the Northern Beaches lends itself ideally to this course.
There are no pre-requisites from Stage 5 for the successful completion of this course for the HSC, in fact, there are a number of Freshwater students who have Earth and Environmental Science as their only science course. Mathematics is not required but can be useful for a deeper understanding of some concepts.
The course modules are as follows:
Year 11
Module 1 - Earth’s Resources
Module 2 - Plate Tectonics
Module 3 - Energy Transformations
Module 4 - Human Impacts
Year 12
Module 5 - Earth’s Processes
Module 6 - Hazards
Module 7 - Climate Science
Module 8 - Resource Management
This course examines the theories of evolution of the universe, solar system and thus our planet and its inhabitants; and the composition of our Earth as well as our responsibilities as the dominant species in the conservation of our limited resources.
Students often find this course more interesting than they thought it would be! For more information click here.
