Curriculum overview

The EBS student’s curriculum program

This program is recommended for the passionate students that sign up to the Elizabeth Blackburn School of Sciences. Any variation from this would have to be personally negotiated, and depends on the timetable for the following year allowing the change without there being too many other clashes in a student’s program.

YEAR 11 SEMESTER 1

Chemistry Unit 1
Physics Unit 1
Maths Methods Unit 1
Biology Units 3
English Unit 1
Extended Investigation 3
General Maths (S) Unit 1

YEAR 11 SEMESTER 2

Chemistry Unit 2
Physics Unit 2
Maths Methods Unit 2
Biology Units 4
English Unit 2
Extended Investigation 4
General Maths (S) Unit 2

YEAR 12 SEMESTER 1

Chemistry Unit 3
Physics Unit 3
Maths Methods Unit 3
Specialist Math Unit 3
English Unit of 3

YEAR 12 SEMESTER 2

Chemistry Unit 4
Physics Unit 4
Maths Methods Unit 4
Specialist Math Unit 4
English Unit 4

Extended Investigation

Our program provides exposure to a laboratory research environment. Under the close guidance of a University of Melbourne and/or Bio 21 research mentor together and with our staff, Year 11 Elizabeth Blackburn School of Science students will have the opportunity to work on a research project. Each student will conduct research in a discipline of their interest, gaining valuable technical and analytical skills, as well as insight into the scientific process. This will provide a unique opportunity for students and their mentors to build collaboration to improve student understanding of science. This research project is a compulsory element of the program at EBS for all Year 11 students and will be accredited as a Unit 3 and 4 VCE subject.

All students in Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences will enjoy a stimulating intellectual and social fellowship with their peers, both face to face and through an online collaborative learning environment.   The online environment encourages students to think visibly and provides rich opportunity for reflection and evaluation.  Through online discussion, students will develop scientific reasoning and communication skills.  Mentors will facilitate student thinking and provide an insight into what scientists know and how they need to think.

Students, teachers and mentors have opportunities to ask questions of each other.  This dialogue encourages critical thinking, in-depth evidence evaluation, cooperative learning and ongoing reflection.  We want to create a forum for educators and mentors that enables the exchange of ideas and leads to an enhanced and enriched learning experience for students.

All research undertaken by students at Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences will be presented in a scientific symposium at the end of the year.

EBS will
  1. Provide a positive learning environment that engages young people in the sciences, supporting through possible pathways and careers in the sciences.
  2. Lead the innovation of science and mathematics teaching and learning in the State of Victoria.
  3. Provide student access to research scientists who will act as mentors and supporters in the broad fields of medicine, sciences, mathematics and engineering.
  4. Provide outstanding professional development for training teachers under a teaching school model in partnership with the Masters of Teaching Program at The University of Melbourne.
  5. Enhance the partnerships with industry, research institutes and the University of Melbourne Bio Medical, Science and Education Faculties.

New Students

Here at The University High School we understand and can appreciate the nervousness and anticipation of starting a new school.

Our school community is such that we will help you settle in and together, will enhance, enrich and tap into your excitement, enthusiasm and ambition for the excellence in sciences. We will provide you with invaluable experiences and opportunities to learn and work alongside some of the brightest and most dedicated scientists that University of Melbourne and the Bio21 Institute has to offer, and maybe even have some fun while doing it.

At The University High School, the relationship between staff and students is based on a genuine partnership and together we work to ensure that students have appropriate support mechanisms in place to enable them to achieve their full potential.  We have a highly experienced Student Engagement and Wellbeing Team that includes our Career Development Coordinator, Student Wellbeing Coordinator, multiple Sub School Coordinators and a Principal Team that continually supports the seamless transition of all new students into the school.

Orientation Program 

Our orientation program is designed to build the academic and social foundations for each student at The University High School. We want to provide opportunities for students to make new friends, learn how to access resources and set the stage for a smooth start to the year.

It is extremely important that all students enrolled in Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences participate in our orientation program. The orientation activities provide an insight into how the school operates, how to find support services and how to become involved in extra curricula activities.