WA Universities’ Foundation Program

The Accounting and Finance subject focuses on financial literacy and aims to provide students with the knowledge, understandings and a range of skills that enables them to make sound financial judgements. Students develop an understanding that financial decisions have far reaching consequences for individuals and business. The subject will provide students with the understanding of the systems and processes through which financial practices and decision making are carried out, as well as the ethical, social and environmental issues involved. Through the preparation, examination and analysis of a variety of financial documents and systems, students develop an understanding of the fundamental principles and practices upon which accounting and financial management are based. An understanding and application of these principles and practices enables students to analyse their own financial data and that of businesses and make informed decisions, forecasts of future performance, and recommendations based on that analysis.

The Business Management and Enterprise elective subject focuses on business planning, marketing and growth, and opportunities provided for business by technology and the global environment. Students examine factors that drive international business developments, the features and traits of successful management, and how businesses operate strategically to maximise business performance in a global setting. Through the consideration of real businesses and scenarios, students develop knowledge, understanding and skills that enable them to apply financial and business literacy, analyse business opportunities, evaluate business performance, identify and create opportunities, and make sound, ethical business decisions within a business environment. The subject equips students to participate proactively in the world of business, behave responsibly and demonstrate integrity in business activities.

The Chemistry elective subject equips students with the knowledge, understanding and opportunity to investigate properties and reactions of materials. Theories and models are used to describe, explain and make predictions about chemical systems, structures and properties. Students recognise hazards and make informed, balanced decisions about chemical use and sustainable resource management. Investigations and laboratory activities develop an appreciation of the need for precision, critical analysis and informed decision making.
This subject prepares students to be responsible and efficient users of specialised chemical products and processes at home or in the workplace. It also enables students to relate chemistry to other sciences, including biology, geology, medicine, molecular biology and agriculture, and prepares them for further study in the sciences.

The Computer Science elective subject builds on the core principles, concepts and skills of Digital Technologies. Students utilise and enhance established analysis and algorithm design skills to create innovative digital solutions to real-world problems. In the process, students develop computational, algorithmic and systems thinking skills which can be successfully applied to problems across domains outside Information Technology. In addition to the development of software, the essential concepts of networking, data management and cyber security are explored. With the vast amounts of data collected in our increasingly digital world, especially in the information-intensive business and scientific disciplines, data management is becoming essential. Similarly, with more and more devices connecting to the internet, cyber security is a major issue for society and the world continues to look for new, young experts to emerge in this field.
Python is the prescribed programming language for Computer Science.

Economics investigates the choices which all people, groups and societies face as they attempt to resolve the ongoing problem of satisfying their unlimited wants with limited resources. Economics aims to understand and analyse the allocation, utilisation and distribution of scarce resources that determine our wealth and wellbeing. Economics develops the knowledge, reasoning and interpretation skills that form an important component of understanding individual, business and government behaviour at the local, national and global levels. The Economics elective subject develops reasoning, logical thinking and interpretation skills demanded by the world of work, business and government. Economic literacy developed through this subject enables students to actively participate in economic and financial decision-making, which promotes individual and societal wealth and wellbeing. The emphasis of the subject is on the Australian economy.

Human Biology covers a wide range of ideas relating to the functioning human. Students learn about themselves, relating structure to function and how integrated regulation allows individuals to survive in a changing environment. They research new discoveries that are increasing our understanding of the causes of dysfunction, which can lead to new treatments and preventative measures. Reproduction is studied to understand the sources of variation that make each of us unique individuals. Through a combination of classical genetics, and advances in molecular genetics, dynamic new biotechnological processes have resulted. Population genetics is studied to highlight the longer term changes leading to natural selection and evolution of our species.
As a science, the subject matter of this subject is founded on knowledge and understanding that has been gained through systematic inquiry and scientific research. However, this knowledge is far from complete and is being modified and expanded as new discoveries and advancements are made. Students develop their understanding of the cumulative and evolving nature of scientific knowledge and the ways in which such knowledge is obtained through scientific investigations. They learn to think critically, to evaluate evidence, to solve problems and to communicate understandings in scientific ways.

This subject focuses on the use of mathematics to solve problems in contexts that involve financial modelling, geometric and trigonometric analysis, graphical and network analysis, and growth and decay in sequences. It also provides opportunities for students to develop systematic strategies based on the statistical investigation process for answering statistical questions that involve analysing univariate and bivariate data, including time series data. The Mathematics Applications subject is designed for students who want to extend their mathematical skills beyond Year 10 level, but whose future studies or employment pathways do not require knowledge of calculus. The subject is designed for students who have a wide range of educational and employment aspirations, including continuing their studies at university or TAFE.

This subject focuses on the use of calculus and statistical analysis. The study of calculus provides a basis for understanding rates of change in the physical world, and includes the use of functions, their derivatives and integrals, in modelling physical processes. The study of statistics develops students’ ability to describe and analyse phenomena that involve uncertainty and variation.
Mathematics Methods provides a foundation for further studies in disciplines in which mathematics and statistics have important roles. It is also advantageous for further studies in the health and social sciences. In summary, this subject is designed for students whose future pathways may involve mathematics and statistics and their applications in a range of disciplines at the tertiary level.

This subject provides opportunities, beyond those presented in the Mathematics Methods subject, to develop rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs, and to use mathematical models more extensively. Mathematics Specialist contains topics in functions and calculus that build on and deepen the ideas presented in the Mathematics Methods subject, as well as demonstrate their application in many areas. The Mathematics Specialist subject also extends understanding and knowledge of statistics and introduces the topics of vectors, complex numbers and matrices. it is recommended to be studied in conjunction with the Mathematics Methods subject as preparation for entry to specialised university subjects such as engineering, physical sciences and mathematics.

Students will learn how energy and energy transformations can shape the environment from the small scale, in quantum leaps inside an atom’s electron cloud, through the human scale, in vehicles and the human body, to the large scale, in interactions between galaxies. Students have opportunities to develop their investigative skills and use analytical thinking to explain and predict physical phenomena. Students plan and conduct investigations to answer a range of questions, collect and interpret data and observations, and communicate their findings in an appropriate format. Problem-solving and using evidence to make and justify conclusions are transferable skills that are developed in this subject.

Students will be introduced to psychological knowledge which supports an understanding of the way individuals think, feel and behave in different contexts. Students learn about major psychological theories, studies and models, and conduct scientific investigations. Students develop skills to apply their psychological knowledge to explain thoughts, feelings and behaviours in the everyday world. Students apply the principles of scientific inquiry and ethical guidelines as they analyse data used to examine phenomena, such as developmental stages, memory, attention, attitudes, personality and social influence. An understanding of psychology is very useful, both to individuals and those assisting us to improve ourselves and our relationships, and to society as a whole.