Doubts about science: Sitting the HSC biology exam on Monday were Gilroy Catholic College students (from left) Laura Alcantara, Patrick Donaldson and Katie Abela. Photo: Peter Rae
It's hard being a science nerd these days.
The HSC is not even over yet, but budding scientist Patrick Donaldson, 18, from Gilroy Catholic College in Castle Hill, is already worrying about his job prospects.
Patrick, one of 17,395 students who did the HSC biology paper on Monday, is a self-professed science nerd but he is not convinced his future lies in science.
'There are so many science-related courses that I would be interested in doing at uni but where's that going to get me,' Patrick said.
'I am not sure whether to go to uni or get a trade. I'd like to do something with science but with the costs of uni going up, what if I can't get a job to pay that back?
'It's so hard to be a science nerd.'
His classmates, Laura Alcantara and Katie Abela, agree. Katie, 18, who said Monday's paper certainly 'was not unbearable', wants to study health science at university.
'I love science, I always have,' Katie said.
'But the problem is a lot of science jobs are overseas so I think that is why lots of people don't think they should keep studying science.'
Laura, 17, wants to study occupational therapy or paramedicine at university. She also studies HSC chemistry.
'I really love things like genetics and being able to understand and explain how things like our blood work,' Laura said.
Both the girls were pleased with the biology paper and Katie even said she enjoyed it.
The proportion of Australia's year 12 students studying maths and science has decreased dramatically over the past 20 years but the president of the Board of Studies, Tom Alegounarias, maintains that 'science is a success story in NSW'.
The Board of Studies says the number of HSC biology students has increased in both absolute and proportional terms since 2009. Over the past five years, the number of biology students has grown from 15,502 to 17,397 - an increase of 1895 students or 12.2 per cent, while the total HSC candidature over the same period has grown from 69,261 to 76,679 - an increase of 10.7 per cent. In 2014, 50 per cent of HSC students are taking one or more science courses.
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