EDF5320 Core concepts in senior mathematics and physics

In this unit, you will deepen your understanding of the core concepts that underpin senior secondary mathematics and physics, with a particular focus on the ideas, representations, and reasoning practices that enable students to build robust conceptual knowledge. You will examine key disciplinary ideas across senior curricula, with attention to common student misconceptions and the conceptual obstacles that can arise when learning abstract mathematical and physical principles. Through collaborative inquiry, you will explore ways of unpacking complex concepts using models, visualisations, multiple representations, and purposeful mathematical and scientific reasoning.

You will investigate evidence-based approaches for identifying students’ prior knowledge, interpreting their thinking, and using diagnostic insights to inform pedagogical decision-making. Inclusive and gender-responsive practices will be emphasised throughout, enabling you to recognise structural and cultural factors that shape participation and achievement for girls in mathematics and physics. By the end of the unit, you will be able to analyse key conceptual ideas with disciplinary depth, design learning experiences that address misconceptions, and apply insights from research to support equitable and engaging senior mathematics and physics learning environments.