VCE Math Courses
Pathways in Mathematics
Should you study mathematics at VCE?
This is a decision that should be made by students and their parents. It should be based on a realistic view of the student’s skills and aspirations.
How many units of mathematics should you study?
This will usually be 2 to 8.
Which units of mathematics should you study?
It is recommended that students should choose a “Pathway” in VCE mathematics. Suggested Pathways are shown below.
Accelerated Mathematics Yr 10
What is this unit about?
The Year 10 Mathematics Acceleration Program is catered for students who have a strong interest and understanding in Mathematics. Students will experience learning in a broad range of mathematical concepts to enhance understanding of mathematics and its applications.
It provides the opportunity to complete VCE General Mathematics Unit 1 in the Year 10 program. Subsequently students are able to include Further Mathematics Units 3 and 4 in their Year 11 study program in addition to Mathematical Methods CAS Units 1 and 2.
Assessment for satisfactory completion of outcomes is by tests, analysis tasks, and students work during the year. There will also be an exam at the completion of each semester.
What will I learn?
Semester 1: Acceleration Mathematics
- Real and Complex Number Systems
- Matrices
- Sequences and Series
- Variation
Semester 2: Acceleration Mathematics
- Non-linear Graphs
- Trigonometric Ratios
- Non linear Relations and Equations
- Data
What type of things will I do?
- Work with numbers and surds
- Substitute, Transpose and Solve Equations
- Plot and sketch graphs
- Use technology to help with learning
- Application of Matrices
- Display and Summaries data
- Correlations and Regression of data
- Applications of Sequences and Series such as financial arithmetic
- Minimization in problems of time and distance
What can this lead to?
- Specialist Mathematics 3 and 4
- Mathematical Methods (CAS) 3 and 4
- Further Mathematics 3 and 4
Possible Pathways @ TLSC
| Year | Studies Offered |
| Year 10 | Accelerated Mathematics |
| Year 11 | Further Mathematics (3 and 4) |
| Year 12 |
Mathematical Methods CAS Specialist Mathematics |
Why choose this study?
Choose this study if you are interested in learning about:
- Numbers
- Uses of Data
- Interpreting Graphs
- Matrices
- CAS
Foundation Mathematics Units 1-2
What’s it all about?
The Year 10 Mathematics Acceleration Program is catered for students who have a strong interest and understanding in Mathematics. Students will experience learning in a broad range of mathematical concepts to enhance understanding of mathematics and its applications.It provides the opportunity to complete VCE General Mathematics Unit 1 in the Year 10 program. Subsequently students are able to include Further Mathematics Units 3 and 4 in their Year 11 study program in addition to Mathematical Methods CAS Units 1 and 2.
Assessment for satisfactory completion of outcomes is by tests, analysis tasks, and students work during the year. There will also be an exam at the completion of each semester.
What will I learn?
Unit 1: Foundation Mathematics
- Space and Shape
- Patterns in Number
- Handling Data
- Measurement and Design
Unit 2: Foundation Mathematics
- Pattern and Number
- Space and Shape
- Measurement and Design
- Handling Data
What type of things will I do?
- Two dimensional plans
- Diagrams incorporating scales
- Practical problems involving decimals, fractions and percentages
- Formulas and their use
- Reading roads maps, time tables, flowcharts
- Metric measurement problems
- Recording and analyzing instrument readings
- Ordering and weighing food items
- Interpreting financial information
What can this lead to?
- VCAL
- VET
- Apprenticeships
Possible Pathways @ TLSC
| Year | Studies Offered |
|
Year 10 |
Pathway 1 Mathematics |
|
Year 11 |
Foundation Mathematics |
|
Year 12 |
|
Why choose this study?
Choose this study if you are interested in learning about:
- Numbers
- Uses of Data
- Interpreting Graphs
- Finance
General Mathematics (Further) Units 1-2
What’s it all about?
This study is designed to provide access to worthwhile and challenging mathematical learning in a way which takes into account the needs and aspirations of a wide range of students.It is also designed to promote students’ awareness of the importance of mathematics in everyday life in a technological society, and confidence in making effective use of mathematical ideas, techniques and processes.
This course is designed as a pre-requisite for Further Mathematics Units 3 and 4. A Computer Algebra System (CAS) will be used by students to assist them in their learning and understanding.
Assessment for satisfactory completion of Units 1 and 2 is by tests, analysis tasks, and students work during the year.
What will I learn?
Unit 1: General Mathematics (Further)
- Number Theory
- Number Patterns and Applications
- Relations in Linear Equations
- Linear Graphs
Unit 2: General Mathematics (Further)
- Represent and Interpret types of Data
- Describe and use Networks
- Matrices and their Applications
What type of things will I do?
- Work with schedules, time zones
- Applications of Sequences and Series such as financial arithmetic
- Formulate Equations
- Plot and sketch graphs
- Display and Summarise data
- Correlations and Regression of data
- Minimisation in problems of time and distance
- Eulerian Paths and Circuits
- Use a Computer Algebra System
What can this lead to?
- Further Mathematics 3 and 4
- VCAL
- VET
- Apprenticeships
Possible Pathways @ TLSC
| Year | Studies Offered |
|
Year 10
|
Pathway 1 Mathematics
|
|
Year 11
|
General Mathematics (Futher)
|
|
Year 12
|
Futher Mathematics
|
Why choose this study?
Choose this study if you are interested in learning about:
- Numbers
- Uses of Data
- Interpreting Graphs
- Matrices
- CAS
General Mathematics (Methods) Units 1-2
What’s it all about?
This course is designed for students intending to do tertiary studies that will involve complex and/or specialized mathematical calculations and skills. Students selecting these units should be able to manipulate algebraic expressions and solve equations. These skills are further developed in this course.It is also designed to promote students’ awareness of the importance of mathematics in everyday life in a technological society, and confidence in making effective use of mathematical ideas, techniques and processes.
This course is designed as a pre-requisite for Mathematical Methods (CAS) and/or Specialist Maths Units 3 and 4. A Computer Algebra System will be used by students to assist them in their learning and understanding.
Assessment for satisfactory completion of Units 1 and 2 is by tests, analysis tasks, and student's work during the year.
What will I learn?
Unit 1: General Mathematics (Methods)
- Matrices
- Number Systems
- 2D and 3D Geometry
- Linear Graphs and Relations
Unit 2: General Mathematics (Methods)
- Trigonometry
- Non-Linear Graphs and Relations
- Co-ordinate Geometry
- Vectors
What type of things will I do?
- Work with numbers and surds
- Substitute, Transpose and Solve Equations
- Apply geometry to applications
- Plot and sketch graphs
- Use trig ratios, pythagoras and geometry to solve problems
- Use technology to help with learning
- Application of Matrices
What can this lead to?
- Specialist Mathematics 3 and 4
- Mathematical Methods(CAS) 3 and 4
- Further Mathematics 3 and 4
- VET
Possible Pathways @ TLSC
| Year | Studies Offered |
|
Year 10
|
Pathway 2 Mathematics
|
|
Year 11
|
General Mathematics (Methods)
Mathematical Methods
|
|
Year 12
|
Mathematical Methods(CAS)
Specialist Mathematics
Further Mathematics
|
Why choose this study?
Choose this study if you are interested in learning about:
- Numbers
- Applications of Geometry
- Interpreting Graphs
- Matrices
- CAS
Further Mathematics Units 3-4
What’s it all about?
This course is designed for those students whose employment and/or further study aspirations do not require heavily algebra based mathematical skills.Students will develop their mathematical knowledge and skills to be able to investigate, analyse and solve problems. They will be required to communicate mathematical ideas clearly and concisely.
A Computer Algebra System will be used by students to assist them in their learning and understanding.
Assessment is by satisfactory completion of three outcomes, judged by the student’s results in Student Assessed Coursework (SACS).
What will I learn?
Unit 3: Further Mathematics
- Networks and Decision Mathematics
- Statistics
Unit 4: Further Mathematics
- Number Patterns and Applications
- Matrices
What type of things will I do?
- Use statistical techniques
- Model relationships between data
- Matrix representation and arithmetic
- Predicting ahead in situations involving number patterns
- Correlations and Regression of data
- Minimisation in problems of time and distance
- Features of networks and their applications
- Use a Computer Algebra System
What can this lead to?
- Tertiary Education
- Apprenticeship
- General Employment
Possible Pathways @ TLSC
| Year | Studies Offered |
|
Year 10
|
Pathway 1 Mathematics
|
|
Year 11
|
General Mathematics (Further)
General Mathematics (Methods)
|
|
Year 12
|
Further Mathematics
|
Why choose this study?
Choose this study if you are interested in learning about:
- Numbers
- Uses of Data
- Interpreting Graphs
- Matrices
- Networks
Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 1-4
What’s it all about?
Mathematical Methods consists of study in the areas of 'Co-ordinate Geometry', 'Trigonometric Functions', 'Calculus', 'Algebra', and 'Statistics and Probability'.There are no prerequisites for entry to Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 1 and 2. However, students attempting Mathematical Methods (CAS) are expected to have a sound background in number, algebra, function, and probability. Students wanting to do Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 3 and 4 should have completed Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 1 and 2 and General Mathematics (Methods) Units 1 and 2.
The appropriate use of CAS technology to support and develop the teaching and learning of mathematics, and in related assessments, is to be incorporated throughout the course.
Assessment is by satisfactory completion of three outcomes, judged by the student’s results in Student Assessed Coursework (SACS) and exams.
What will I learn?
Unit 1: Maths Methods(CAS)
- Functions and Graphs
- Algebra
- Probability
- Rates of Change
Unit 2: Maths Methods(CAS)
- Functions and Graphs
- Algebra
- Probability
- Calculus
Unit 3: Maths Methods(CAS)
- Functions and Graphs
- Differential Calculus
Unit 4: Maths Methods(CAS)
- Integral Calculus
- Probability
What type of things will I do?
- Problem solving
- Substitute, Transpose and Solve Equations
- Apply geometry to applications
- Plot and sketch graphs
- Calculate and Interpret Probabilities
- Apply Algebra, Logarithmic and Trigonometric properties
- Use CAS to assist with learning
What can this lead to?
- Tertiary Education
- Apprenticeship
- General Employment
Possible Pathways @ TLSC
|
Year
|
Studies Offered
|
|
Year 10
|
Pathway 2 Mathematics
Acceleration Mathematics
|
|
Year 11
|
General Mathematics (Methods)
Mathematics Methods (CAS)
|
|
Year 12
|
Mathematics Methods (CAS)
Specialist Mathematics
|
Why choose this study?
Choose this study if you are interested in learning about:
- Calculus
- Geometry
- Functions
- Probability
- CAS
Specialist Mathematical Units 3-4
What’s it all about?
Specialist Mathematics consists of the following areas of study: ‘Functions, relations and graphs’ ‘Algebra’, ‘Calculus’, ‘Vectors’ and ‘Mechanics’. Students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes, involving rational, real and complex arithmetic, algebraic manipulation, diagrams and geometric constructions, solving equations, graph sketching, differentiation and integration related to the areas of study, as applicable, both with and without the use of technology.Enrolment in Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 assumes a current enrolment in Mathematical Methods (CAS) Units 3 and 4.
Assessment is by satisfactory completion of three outcomes, judged by the student’s results in Student Assessed Coursework (SACS).
What will I learn?
Unit 3: Specialists Mathematics
- Vectors
- Co-ordinate Geometry
- Differential and Integral Calculus
Unit 4: Specialists Mathematics
- Kinematics
- Mechanics
What type of things will I do?
- Sketch and Interpret Graphs
- Perform operations on complex numbers
- Apply geometry to applications
- Solve differential equations
- Solve kinematics problems
- Solve problems involving Newton's laws of motion
- Use CAS to assist with learning
What can this lead to?
- Tertiary Education
Possible Pathways @ TLSC
|
Year
|
Studies Offered
|
|
Year 10
|
Pathway 2 Mathematics
Acceleration Mathematics
|
|
Year 11
|
General Mathematics (Methods)
Mathematics Methods (CAS)
|
|
Year 12
|
Mathematics Methods (CAS)
Specialist Mathematics
|
Why choose this study?
Choose this study if you are interested in learning about:
- Calculus
- Applications of Geometry
- Vectors
- Kinematics
- CAS