Login

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

March 29, 2024, 11:21:14 pm

Author Topic: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?  (Read 6732 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

TylerD9

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 90
  • Respect: +7
Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« on: July 21, 2017, 07:51:32 am »
0
Hello guys,

So following on from my last post regarding whether I should accelerate biology or legal in year 10, we had our subject information session last night for subject selection. Out of all the subjects I want to complete in VCE (literature, methods, specialists, biology (decided over legal as it opens more doors), chemistry and physics), none of them will be offered to complete as unit 1 and 2 for year 10 next year.

However, I was given two options:

The first was that, even though it isn't publicly offered, unit 1/2 chem is running at the same time as the subjects which we are allowed to accelerate, so the head of senior school said, given my circumstance with what I want to complete, he will allow me to complete year 11 chem next year.

The second was that the school has decided to combine science and maths from years 7-10 into a single STEM subject, which I will have to complete next year. The head of senior school told me that majority of the classes in the subject will be maths orientated. So, instead of completing year 10 maths, he will allow me to be enrolled into unit 1/2 methods and complete it during year 10 maths with the year 10 teacher teaching it to me (but I figured he would be more of a guidance rather than an actual teacher because he will be preoccupied with year 10 maths). My fear with this is how much year 10 maths that I will miss which is needed for methods, but I still have the rest of the year for extension work and over the holidays. 

The head of senior school said he will allow me to do one or the other, not both. I am unsure which one to complete. I feel as though I will perform better in chemistry, as I will be in an actual year 11 chem class, but I feel methods will provide me more with the foundations for subjects like specialist in the future. Overall I think that I should do methods (I am a pretty self-motivated learner anyway).

So please let me know what you think.

Thank you for your responses.
2019:
Chemistry () - Business Management ()

2020:
English() - Methods () - Specialist () - Physics ()

keltingmeith

  • Honorary Moderator
  • Great Wonder of ATAR Notes
  • *******
  • Posts: 5493
  • he/him - they is also fine
  • Respect: +1292
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2017, 08:15:55 am »
+6
My first question is why do you believe biology will open more doors? Not to say it's a bad subject to pick, but just on the off chance you'd enjoy legal more, biology itself isn't a pre-registration of any course that I know of that won't also accept chemistry, methods or specialist in its place.


As for which subject to accelerate, I reckon chemistry would be your best bet. If you're motivated enough, it is definitely possible to accelerate both, and year 10 doesn't really teach you much of anything that's really relevant for VCE that isn't taught in year 9. In fact, for both, the only advantage you might have is you might get to see some concepts a second time as they're re-taught in VCE.

However, your specific difference is that in one of them you'll be all by yourself, but in the other you'll have a support network. Don't undermine the advantage of having friends you can talk to, work with, and be motivated by - you'll have this in a 1/2 class, but you'll struggle in maths because you'll be the only one in the class working on it.

Shadowxo

  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 983
  • Graphing is where I draw the line.
  • Respect: +516
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2017, 11:38:19 am »
+4
I agree with meltingkeith. This is a decision you should decide on, and we don't know all the information, but it seems to me like there'd be a lot more support if you were to do 1/2 chemistry, which wouldn't exist if you were to do 1/2 methods by yourself. It sounds like you would do well in either class, but you may struggle more with methods due to the lack of the proper teaching time, lack of classmates, and lack of resources. Also, doing 3/4 methods without a solid foundation of either year 10 or 1/2  methods would likely be difficult. My recommendation would be to do 1/2 chemistry, and if you're finding the maths too easy then ask for extension work to get ahead :)
I did spesh and methods at the same time (year 12) and I didn't have any issues. There was some overlap with probability towards the end of the year, and if anything it was an advantage doing both as they built on each other, and the people who had done methods 3/4 in year 11 struggled to remember things that we had just been taught. I don't recall ever needing to know something from methods in spesh, anything we needed to know was taught anyway. They were seperate subjects and while you did need to have strong maths skills, you didn't have to have done 3/4 methods before 3/4 spesh.

Also: as Keith said, biology doesn't necessarily open more doors. If you intend on doing something biology related (eg medicine) then it would likely be the better choice, but if you're not then choose whichever subject you like more. I'm not aware of any course that requires biology really (most require English and Methods, some require spesh and some require a science: chem/ physics/ biology).

Good luck in your choice and choose whichever you believe will be the best option for you :)
Completed VCE 2016
2015: Biology
2016: Methods | Physics | Chemistry | Specialist Maths | Literature
ATAR : 97.90
2017: BSci (Maths and Engineering) at MelbUni
Feel free to pm me if you have any questions!

Sine

  • Werewolf
  • National Moderator
  • Great Wonder of ATAR Notes
  • *****
  • Posts: 5135
  • Respect: +2103
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2017, 11:40:27 am »
+3
Hello guys,

So following on from my last post regarding whether I should accelerate biology or legal in year 10, we had our subject information session last night for subject selection. Out of all the subjects I want to complete in VCE (literature, methods, specialists, biology (decided over legal as it opens more doors), chemistry and physics), none of them will be offered to complete as unit 1 and 2 for year 10 next year.

However, I was given two options:

The first was that, even though it isn't publicly offered, unit 1/2 chem is running at the same time as the subjects which we are allowed to accelerate, so the head of senior school said, given my circumstance with what I want to complete, he will allow me to complete year 11 chem next year.

The second was that the school has decided to combine science and maths from years 7-10 into a single STEM subject, which I will have to complete next year. The head of senior school told me that majority of the classes in the subject will be maths orientated. So, instead of completing year 10 maths, he will allow me to be enrolled into unit 1/2 methods and complete it during year 10 maths with the year 10 teacher teaching it to me (but I figured he would be more of a guidance rather than an actual teacher because he will be preoccupied with year 10 maths). My fear with this is how much year 10 maths that I will miss which is needed for methods, but I still have the rest of the year for extension work and over the holidays. 

The head of senior school said he will allow me to do one or the other, not both. I am unsure which one to complete. I feel as though I will perform better in chemistry, as I will be in an actual year 11 chem class, but I feel methods will provide me more with the foundations for subjects like specialist in the future. Overall I think that I should do methods (I am a pretty self-motivated learner anyway).

So please let me know what you think.

Thank you for your responses.
If you think you should do methods that is the right choice no matter the outcome :)

but imo your reason for doing methods isn't too true because many people have done both methods and spec in the same year and done very well so the "foundations" isn't 100% necessary. Sure there might be somethings you learn in spec at a higher level before you learn it in methods but none of this is not possible to learn well.


GalacticProcess

  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 430
  • The key to success, is failure.
  • Respect: +139
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2017, 12:57:07 pm »
0
Just going to add my 2 cents.
I don't really think a lot year 10 maths is necessary to do well in methods. I did accelerated maths and completed the year 10 curriculum in year 9 and because of that, the whole thing was jumbled up and it gets confusing when I try to recall the topics we learned lol. I'm pretty sure most of year 10 maths is just year 9 maths,
just more advanced and expanded on. However, I would recommend learning the major year 10 topics maybe over the holidays or something just be sure. If you want to familiarise yourself with some early methods topics, just to get a feel for the subject, I can send you notes by email or PM.

TylerD9

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 90
  • Respect: +7
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2017, 05:06:04 pm »
0
Update on the situation:

Well thank you everyone for your responses, your answers are greatly appreciated.

My parents just finished up a meeting with my current maths teacher, who will be the one teaching me next year for the STEM subject, and the careers coordinator (who is also a VCE chem teacher). My maths teacher doesn't recommend me doing methods next year in a year 10 class, as I will mostly have to teach myself and apparently there are a lot of little tricks to get better marks in exams that you need a teacher to teach you. He also said that there is a high chance that I will miss some things, which will put me at a disadvantage in year 12. The careers coordinator said that she doesn't recommend me doing chem next year as I will find it difficult, not in regards to content but workload and study. However, she said that the new STEM subject will be very vigorous, and afterward apparently I will have learned enough to complete Biology 3/4 in year 11. Apparently, there are a lot of other university extension programs I can complete next year and other subjects that will help me. I don't really know what else there is, but my parents are organizing a meeting with the head of senior school, the careers councilor and the other VCE chem teacher to discuss it all with them and me. So yeah, any guidance now will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :)
2019:
Chemistry () - Business Management ()

2020:
English() - Methods () - Specialist () - Physics ()

Quantum44

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 756
  • Respect: +313
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2017, 05:29:07 pm »
0
Update on the situation:

Well thank you everyone for your responses, your answers are greatly appreciated.

My parents just finished up a meeting with my current maths teacher, who will be the one teaching me next year for the STEM subject, and the careers coordinator (who is also a VCE chem teacher). My maths teacher doesn't recommend me doing methods next year in a year 10 class, as I will mostly have to teach myself and apparently there are a lot of little tricks to get better marks in exams that you need a teacher to teach you. He also said that there is a high chance that I will miss some things, which will put me at a disadvantage in year 12. The careers coordinator said that she doesn't recommend me doing chem next year as I will find it difficult, not in regards to content but workload and study. However, she said that the new STEM subject will be very vigorous, and afterward apparently I will have learned enough to complete Biology 3/4 in year 11. Apparently, there are a lot of other university extension programs I can complete next year and other subjects that will help me. I don't really know what else there is, but my parents are organizing a meeting with the head of senior school, the careers councilor and the other VCE chem teacher to discuss it all with them and me. So yeah, any guidance now will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :)

Chemistry 3/4 in year 11 is a much better option than biology or methods 3/4 in year 11. It's a useful prerequsite and it's good to get out of the way. Methods can easily be done in year 12 with spesh. Chem 1/2 is not particularly difficult and I don't recall year 10 having a particularly high workload. If you're self motivated you will do well.
UAdel MBBS

TylerD9

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 90
  • Respect: +7
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2017, 05:35:26 pm »
0
Chemistry 3/4 in year 11 is a much better option than biology or methods 3/4 in year 11. It's a useful prerequsite and it's good to get out of the way. Methods can easily be done in year 12 with spesh. Chem 1/2 is not particularly difficult and I don't recall year 10 having a particularly high workload. If you're self motivated you will do well.

Hi and thank you for the response :)

I now believe that doing chem next year will be the better option, but I guess it'll be smarter to hear the teachers opinions before making any final decisions. Do you have any idea how difficult chem will be? Like you said it's easier than methods to complete in year 11, but how much study would I have to put in, how much different is the content compared to year 9 chem etc.
2019:
Chemistry () - Business Management ()

2020:
English() - Methods () - Specialist () - Physics ()

Maya24

  • MOTM: OCT 18
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 221
  • Respect: +114
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2017, 06:51:01 pm »
0
I'm currently doing unit 1 and 2 chemistry this year and the content is fairly doable. At times it can be quite confusing as you need a good base in math.Some of the concepts might be similar to year 9 but there is a lot of new topics as well.

TylerD9

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 90
  • Respect: +7
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2017, 07:14:41 pm »
0
I'm currently doing unit 1 and 2 chemistry this year and the content is fairly doable. At times it can be quite confusing as you need a good base in math.Some of the concepts might be similar to year 9 but there is a lot of new topics as well.

Thank you for the response :)

What maths is used in chem? I'd assume it'd be more things like algebra, indices, scientific notation etc. but that's just my assumption. My maths so far is going really well (I think I mentioned my current results in my previous thread) so if you could please let me know if from what my results are if I'd cope with the math side of things (if they aren't there let me know and I'll tell you).

Again thank you so much
2019:
Chemistry () - Business Management ()

2020:
English() - Methods () - Specialist () - Physics ()

Quantum44

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 756
  • Respect: +313
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2017, 08:49:03 pm »
0
Hi and thank you for the response :)

I now believe that doing chem next year will be the better option, but I guess it'll be smarter to hear the teachers opinions before making any final decisions. Do you have any idea how difficult chem will be? Like you said it's easier than methods to complete in year 11, but how much study would I have to put in, how much different is the content compared to year 9 chem etc.

I found the content very different to high school science. Although that may be because I didn't really care about school until VCE. If you are willing to put in work every day to write notes on all the concepts and do plenty of practice questions, you will learn all the content fine even if you know barely anything about chemistry. The only important Pre-knowlegde is being able to balance equations and knowing all the charges on ions for forming ionic substances.
UAdel MBBS

Sine

  • Werewolf
  • National Moderator
  • Great Wonder of ATAR Notes
  • *****
  • Posts: 5135
  • Respect: +2103
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2017, 11:33:49 pm »
0
Hi and thank you for the response :)

I now believe that doing chem next year will be the better option, but I guess it'll be smarter to hear the teachers opinions before making any final decisions. Do you have any idea how difficult chem will be? Like you said it's easier than methods to complete in year 11, but how much study would I have to put in, how much different is the content compared to year 9 chem etc.
all those quesions just depend on who you are and your personal situation
In comparisons to yr 9, obviously vce would have a have a higher workload but then again like Quantum44 (and most people) didn't take science seriously until vce.

I think all of VCE chem can be learnt from scratch so previous highschool content isn't at all relevant.

Maya24

  • MOTM: OCT 18
  • Forum Obsessive
  • ***
  • Posts: 221
  • Respect: +114
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2017, 01:00:39 pm »
0
Thank you for the response :)

What maths is used in chem? I'd assume it'd be more things like algebra, indices, scientific notation etc. but that's just my assumption. My maths so far is going really well (I think I mentioned my current results in my previous thread) so if you could please let me know if from what my results are if I'd cope with the math side of things (if they aren't there let me know and I'll tell you).

Again thank you so much

The math used in chemistry is not that difficult. It is Mostly algebra. I believe you will do well in it.

TylerD9

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 90
  • Respect: +7
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2017, 05:45:49 pm »
+1
Hey guys sorry for the late response (been busy these last few days).

Thank you for the responses, it is greatly appreciated.

Well both the chem teachers have advised me against it, and the year 10 maths teacher advised me against doing methods in the year 10 class. However though I've heard some people pick up 3/4 bio without 1/2. I emailed the careers coordinator if this is possible cause I could just pick it up in year 11. How hard is bio without 1/2?
2019:
Chemistry () - Business Management ()

2020:
English() - Methods () - Specialist () - Physics ()

Shadowxo

  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 983
  • Graphing is where I draw the line.
  • Respect: +516
Re: Unit 1 and 2 Chemistry or Methods in year 10?
« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2017, 05:49:59 pm »
+1
Hey guys sorry for the late response (been busy these last few days).

Thank you for the responses, it is greatly appreciated.

Well both the chem teachers have advised me against it, and the year 10 maths teacher advised me against doing methods in the year 10 class. However though I've heard some people pick up 3/4 bio without 1/2. I emailed the careers coordinator if this is possible cause I could just pick it up in year 11. How hard is bio without 1/2?
I did bio 3/4 without 1/2 and I didn't have any problems. Wasn't my best subject but that was just due to me not working enough :P. At my school, bio 3/4 and busman 3/4 were the standard year 11 3/4 subjects. I found they hardly drew on 1/2 knowledge. You should be able to do 3/4 in year 11 without a problem even without 1/2 as long as you put the time in :) (it is a subject where you have to set time aside to memorise things)
Completed VCE 2016
2015: Biology
2016: Methods | Physics | Chemistry | Specialist Maths | Literature
ATAR : 97.90
2017: BSci (Maths and Engineering) at MelbUni
Feel free to pm me if you have any questions!