At a glance
A science course where students learn how major body systems work and what can go wrong when systems are affected by lifestyle, environment, or disease. Students also learn how to check health claims in the media and use evidence to make informed decisions.
This course is a good choice for students who:
- are interested in the human body, health, medicine or allied health pathways
- like science investigations, data and evidence-based conclusions
- want to learn how to judge health information and popular health claims
About this course
Health Science explores the major systems of the body and their functions, and investigates how internal and external factors can cause disease or change body function. Students use scientific methods (including practical investigations and research) to evaluate conditions and possible therapies, and consider the ethics of health science and medical decisions.
Pathways
This course can support pathways into areas such as:
- health and medical pathways (with further study)
- allied health pathways (for example, physiotherapy, nursing or paramedicine, with further study)
- sport and exercise, rehabilitation and health promotion pathways
Units in this course
Students complete 2 units for a Minor or 4 units for a Major.
Human Reproduction and Development
This unit explores the reproductive system, how it is controlled by hormones, and how human development progresses from fertilisation to foetal development.
Students will:
- investigate how the reproductive and endocrine systems support development
- explore selected diseases and evaluate claims about related therapies
Cardiorespiratory Health
This unit explores the cardiovascular and respiratory systems (and related musculoskeletal elements) and how lifestyle choices affect health, disease prevention and treatment.
Students will:
- investigate how the heart, lungs and muscles work together to support activity and health
- evaluate health claims and therapies linked to cardiorespiratory conditions
Human Digestive and Renal Systems
This unit explores the digestive and urinary systems, including how nutrition affects health and how these systems are regulated.
Students will:
- investigate how the gastrointestinal and urinary systems function and support health
- explore nutrition-related conditions and evaluate claims about therapies
Concepts in Neuroscience
This unit explores the central and peripheral nervous systems and how they relate to life experiences such as ageing, mental health, degenerative conditions and drugs.
Students will:
- investigate how the nervous system supports communication and behaviour
- explore claims about therapies (including alternative and innovative therapies) using evidence