Dr David McKay, Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology in the Faculty of Science, Health and Education, is leading a project designed to integrate Headstart offerings into the Years 11 and 12 curriculum at Chancellor State College, initially in the subject area of Biology, but with the potential to extend to Chemistry, Physics and (possibly) Mathematics.
Integration of Biology subjects has already been approved by the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA). This means that these subjects can be used as credit towards Authority registered subjects for the Queensland Certificate of Education, and counted towards the award of an Overall Position (OP) score.
This is different to conventional Headstart, where Headstart courses will be recognised for the Queensland Certificate of Education but not counted towards Authority registered subjects and an OP score.
There are multiple pathways with the new system, but one example of how it will work in practice is that a student could take Cell Biology at USC in Year 11, Semester 1. They might then choose Biomechanics or Physiology as a Headstart option in Year 12, Semester 2.
Entry to the program is on academic merit.
Discussions with the QSA have indicated that no one else in Queensland has a similar cross credit arrangement.
The program offers students the opportunity to gain credit for Headstart offerings as part of their studies in senior school. It also gives them the chance to experience university life at an earlier stage, and to be exposed to science at a greater depth and breadth than they might otherwise have experienced.
The College benefits by giving students access to University teaching and by enhancing the standard of science teaching at the College.
For the University, the main benefit lies in streaming promising students into areas of science offered by USC.