To keep your options open, either to pursue a career in science or to put scientific knowledge and/or approaches into practice through other careers, there are subjects in Years 11 and 12 you should consider studying.
Physics
Physics looks at energy and matter, and how these things relate from sub-atomic particles to clusters of galaxies. It looks at how matter moves and what happens when it hits something else. Physics covers acoustics, mechanics, optics, astronomy, superconductivity and electromagnetism, as well as the mysterious worlds of quantum physics and high-energy particles.
Chemistry
Chemistry is about interactions: elements with other elements forming compounds and compounds reacting with each other – or not. There are three branches of chemistry: physical (borderline physics, it has a lot to do with the structure of things), organic (unkindly known as smelly chemistry; it deals with carbon-based molecules) and inorganic (everything else).
Biology
If it has a life, you can study it in biology. What makes living things tick, for example, how they reproduce and modern stuff such as genetic manipulation. Also, because everything has to live somewhere (even if it's in a beaker on a lab bench), biology includes the inter-relationships between living things and their environment (and how they get on with the neighbours). Biologists study strange life forms such as those that live deep in the oceans or in volcanic areas, as they might provide clues as to what to look for to discover life on other planets.
Earth and Environmental Science (NSW)
Earth and Environmental Science is the study of the planet Earth, its composition and processes as well as the human impacts on its environments. It examines the evolution of the planet over time, and the health (or ill-health!) of the environment.
Geology
Geology is the study of rocks and includes planetary science, gemmology and even aspects of forensics. If you want to know how the Earth formed and continues to be shaped by events such as earthquakes, not to mention what's happening on other planets, then you've got to be right up on rocks. Geologists can also tell whether an ore body is worth mining, if a particular rock would be good to build with, if a gem is up to scratch, and even forensic details such as where a stone stuck in a murdered person's shoe came from.
Senior Science (NSW)
Senior Science, or general science studies, integrates disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics and geology and enhances your science literacy in a society where science and technology play an increasingly important role. The course, like other science subjects, can even help you in non-scientific careers. The subject will give a clear idea of the impact science has on society.
Mathematics
Maths gives you neat ways of describing things or solving problems quickly, logically and accurately. For example, figuring out whether a mobile phone deal really is as good as it looks, if a fancy skate stunt will work without risking busting your board, or the chances of winning on Deal or No Deal .