The NSW Education Standards Authority (previously NSW Board of Studies) has finalized the new HSC syllabus for chemistry and physics, along with many other subjects. The new content and assessment criteria will be first taught to Year 11s in 2018 who will then sit the first HSC under this new syllabus in 2019. This is the first major syllabus change since 2001.
The Mathematics advanced (2U), Mathematics Extension I (3U) and Mathematics Extension II (4U) subjects will remain unchanged in 2018 but are in consultation for change, along with the introduction of new Science Extension courses.
CHANGES TO CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS FROM 2018 ON-WARDS
- A shift away from memorization (e.g. loss of social and historical contexts) to a greater focus on understanding and applying fundamental scientific concepts
- Introduction of “depth studies” which requires further investigation into an area
- A greater emphasis on scientific skills and first-hand investigations
- Elimination of option topics in Year 12
The new topics for the chemistry and physics courses are as follows.
Year 11 Chemistry
- Module 1: Properties and Structure of Matter
- Module 2: Introduction to Quantitative Chemistry
- Module 3: Reactive Chemistry
- Module 4: Drivers of Reactions
Year 12 Chemistry
- Module 5: Equilibrium and Acid Reactions
- Module 6: Acid/base Reactions
- Module 7: Organic Chemistry
- Module 8: Applying Chemical Ideas
Year 11 Physics
- Module 1: Kinematics
- Module 2: Dynamics
- Module 3: Waves and Thermodynamics
- Module 4: Electricity and Magnetism
Year 12 Physics
- Module 5: Advanced Mechanics
- Module 6: Electromagnetism
- Module 7: The Nature of Light
- Module 8: From the Universe to the Atom
If you have any questions about the new Stage 6 syllabus that’s about to hit, feel free to leave a comment below and a member of our friendly staff will answer you!
The download versions of all Stage 6 syllabuses can now be found at the NSW Education Standards Authority Website
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