1. ISSUES IN SCIENCE Pathway Subject(s): VCE Biology
Possible Partner Subject(s): Environmental Chemistry

2. Course Outline Assessment
This course delivers theoretical and practical components from the year 10 Victorian Curriculum for Science. The content covers the topics of biology, earth and space sciences. There is a specific focus within this course on issues in these topic areas and how developments in these fields affect humanity.
Assessment
Students will be assessed on their knowledge and skills in this subject through practical investigations (25%), research assignments (20%), tests (30%) and a semester exam (25%).

3. Topics Covered
Space Sciences Students will learn about the features of the Universe and identify evidence that supports the Big Bang Theory. They will describe technology that provides evidence of continued evolution of the Universe and apply all of their learning to the issue of Colonisation outside of Earth.
Biological Sciences Students will learn that heritable characteristics are transmitted from one generation to the next by genes and DNA. They will also recognise the importance of fertilisation and meiosis in the passing on of genetic information from parents to offspring. The issue focus of this topic is genetics and the use of biotechnology in reproduction and genetic manipulation.
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4. Topics Covered
Earth Sciences Students will learn that global systems rely on interactions between the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Students will model nutrient cycles and investigate how human activity can affect global systems. Students will also investigate why global warming and renewable energies have become issues in our community.
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