The HSC Course consists of core and options organised into a number of modules. The core content covers 90 indicative hours with ONE option covering 30 indicative hours. Students are required to cover ONE of the options.

Practical experiences are an essential component of both the Preliminary and HSC courses. Students will complete 80 indicative hours of practical/field work during both the Preliminary and HSC courses with no less than 35 indicative hours of practical experiences in the HSC course. Practical experiences must include at least one open-ended investigation integrating skill and knowledge outcomes in both the Preliminary and HSC courses.

Practical experiences should emphasise hands-on activities, including:

• undertaking laboratory experiments, including the use of appropriate computer based technologies
• fieldwork
• research ising a wide range of sources, including print materials, the internet and digital technologies
• using computer simulations for modelling or manipulating data
• using and reorganising secondary data
• extracting and reorganising information in the form of flow charts, tables, graphs, diagrams, prose and keys
• using animation, video and film resources to capture/obtain information not available in other forms

Preliminary Course:

120 indicative hours

The Preliminary module incorporates the study of:

• A Local Ecosystem (25 indicative hours)
• Patterns in Nature (35 indicative hours)
• Life on Earth (30 indicative hours)
• Evolution of Australian Biota (30 indicative hours)

HSC Course:

120 indicative hours

The HSC Course builds upon the Preliminary course. The Preliminary course contains content that is considered assumed knowledge for the HSC course. The HSC course incorporates the study of:

a) the core, which constitutes 90 indicative hours and includes:

• Maintaining a Balance (30 indicative hours)
• Blueprint of Life (30  indicative hours)
• The Search for Better Health (30 indicative hours)

b) ONE option, which constitutes 30 indicative hours and may comprise any one of the following:

• Communication
• Biotechnology
• Genetics: the Code Broken
• The Human Story
• Biochemistry