Six new subjects offered to Qld high school students under ATAR

Six new subjects are on offer to Queensland Year 11 and 12 students from this year, as part of the transition away from the OP system to ATAR.

SIX new subjects are on offer to Queensland Year 11 and 12 students from this year, as part of the transition away from the overall position (OP) to an Australian tertiary admission rank (ATAR).

Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority chief executive Chris Rider said the new Queensland Certificate of Education provided a good opportunity to modernise the curriculum and offer new subjects relevant to the 21st century.

ATAR: Gender theory in new psychology subject

How the ATAR is calculated

Universities, P&C’s Queensland back ATAR system

Literature: This course focuses on the study of literary text, fit for students who appreciate the aesthetic use of language, analyse perspectives and evidence, and challenge ideas and interpretations through the analysis and creation of varied literary texts. Students will be learning everything from how textual choices affect readers to the power of language to represent ideas, events and people.

Psychology: Students will engage with concepts that explain behaviours and underlying cognitions. Perspective jobs in psychology include further employment in the field, or sales, human resourcing, training, social work, health, law, business, marketing and education.

Design: Focuses on the application of design thinking to envisage creative products and services in response to human needs, wants and opportunities.

Digital solutions: Students in this course will learn about algorithms, computer languages and user interfaces through generating digital solutions to problems. This course is for students who love to engage with data, information and applications to create digital solutions while understanding the need to encrypt and protect data.

Engineering: Engineering gives students the opportunity to experience first-hand in a practical way the exciting and dynamic work of real-world engineers. The course is for critical thinkers, and requires collaboration and teamwork. A future career for students can be furthering their engineering studies, including civil, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, mining, process, chemical, marine, and many more.

Food and nutrition: Food and nutrition is the study of food in the context of food science, nutrition and food technologies, considering overarching concepts of waste management, sustainability and food protection. Studying food and nutrition can lead to science, technology and health.