1. Mathematics Courses General Courses
for those students aiming to enter TAFE or directly into the work force after completion of their WACE
Mathematics Essential - for those students that have achieved numeracy or at least Cat 2 in the Year 10 OLNA
Mathematics Foundations - for those students that have not achieved numeracy or are still at Cat 1 (or 2) in the Year 10 OLNA
Mathematics Preliminary - for students with an academic/ intellectual disability

2. Mathematics Courses ATAR Courses
for those students aiming to achieve an ATAR and enrol in university directly from school
Mathematics Specialist - strongly recommended to be studied concurrently with Methods
Mathematics Methods – strongly recommended that students have completed the Year 10A course of study as a precursor, contains a calculus component and is a prerequisite for certain University pathways
Mathematics Applications – requires a good understanding of the k-10 Mathematics curriculum content, provides the prerequisite knowledge for some University pathways

3. Mathematics Foundation
Builds student capacity to meet the numeracy standard for WACE, that is, attain OLNA numeracy.
Addresses gaps in students understanding of the building blocks of mathematics. For example addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percentages and place value etc.
Applies these skills and understandings to practical contexts.

4. Mathematics Essential
Recommended for students who are not university bound and have achieved, or are working towards, achieving OLNA (Numeracy)
Students need to have been exposed to content such as trigonometry, linear relationships and collecting, displaying, interpreting and analysing data in Year 10.
Heavy focus on solving problems in real world contexts to prepare students for further training or employment.
TAFE-entry requirements for competitive courses need consideration

5. Mathematics Essential
Course Content/topics
Development and use of the mathematical thinking process and the statistical investigation process

6. Trades: Carpentry, Plumbing, Building, Dress Making etc..
Decimals
Fractions
Ratio and percentage
Rates
Measurement: units, area and volume
Estimation
Ability to mentally calculate (most maths is done whilst on the job)
Tables, Graphs & charts
Basic algebra in the use of formulae
Trades: Electrical
All of the above plus an understanding of networks is desirable

7. Mathematics Applications
Recommended for students who have been successful in Year 10.
This course still requires a strong commitment to demonstrate understanding and to study.
Heavy focus on solving problems in a real world context that include finance, trigonometry, statistics, networks and using sequences for situations of growth and decay.
Prerequisite for many university courses and desirable by most.
No calculus so bridging course may be required by universities for many STEM related courses
Recommended for students who are considering TAFE entry for science or computing certificates.

8. Mathematics Applications
Course Content/topics

9. Mathematics Methods
Recommended for strong mathematics students who have excellent algebra skills.
It is desirable that students have completed the appropriate topics from 10A
Includes an introduction to calculus and statistical inference, including applications to the real world.
Universities list Methods as a prerequisite for engineering, mathematics and some science courses.
Attracts a 10% bonus on the scaled score used in the ATAR calculation

10. Course Content/topics
Mathematics Methods
Course Content/topics

11. Mathematics Specialist
Recommended for excellent mathematics’ students who want to work beyond Mathematics Methods to develop mathematical arguments and proofs.
It is desirable that students have completed the appropriate topics from 10A
Attracts a 10% bonus on the scaled score used in the ATAR calculation

12. Mathematics Specialist
Course Content/topics

13. Physical Sciences , Engineering and Building (degree)
Maths Methods (Year 12)
Physics (Year 12)
Mathematics
Maths Methods (Year12)
Specialist Maths (Year12)
Biological Sciences
Maths Methods for some courses
Statistics
Order of magnitude
Transposing formulae
Measurement: Units, conversions, area, volume and capacity
Rates

14. Business Law Psychology Minimum of Applications recommended Statistics
Probability
Proportional reasoning & percentages
Transposing formula
Algebra, functions and graphs
Law
Business maths (see above)
Psychology
Statistics and probability

15. University Bridging courses – the disadvantages
Costs money, i.e extra HECS fees
Less support and time to do the same content in Methods.
May not address preliminary knowledge that is obtained in Year 11.
Can limit options if considering a double major.

16. Some possible Mathematics Pathways