Health Science is a course designed by ACT schools and is excellent preparation for careers in health-related areas such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and the like. It is specifically designed to complement Biology, and both subjects can be studied simultaneously.
In this unit, students investigate the properties, functions, and health of the reproductive system, including the roles of its specialised cells and tissues, and the endocrine system's control of development. They apply this knowledge, particularly, to investigate the developmental sequence from fertilisation through implantation, embryonic, and foetal development. Students explore selected diseases and claims around the efficacy of related therapies.
In this unit, students investigate the properties, functions, and health of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as elements of the musculoskeletal system, including their specialised cells and tissues. They apply this knowledge to evaluate the impact of lifestyle choices on the management and prevention of illnesses and diseases pertaining to these systems. Students explore selected conditions and claims around the efficacy of related therapies.
In this unit, students investigate the properties, functions, and health of the gastrointestinal and urinary systems, including their specialised cells and tissues, and their control by the autonomic nervous system. They evaluate the impact of nutrition on health, explore nutrition-related diseases and conditions, and assess claims about the efficacy of related therapies.
In this unit, students investigate the properties, functions, and health of the central and peripheral nervous systems, including their specialised cells and tissues, and their roles in communication relevant to life experiences such as ageing, degenerative conditions, mental health, and drugs. They conduct inquiries, including analyses of causation versus correlation, to understand the environmental and genetic factors underlying these conditions. Students explore claims around the efficacy of related therapies, such as alternative and innovative therapies.
Independent Study units are only available to individual students in Year 12. A student may study no more than one Independent Study unit per course. Students must have completed at least 3 standard 1.0 units in this course. An Independent Study unit requires the principal’s written approval. Principal approval can also be sought by a Year 12 student to enrol concurrently in an Independent Study unit and their third or fourth 1.0 unit in this course of study.