In our daily lives and in society at large, many of our decisions demand a knowledge of science.  A lack of this knowledge could result in an inability to deal satisfactorily with many of the situations that confront us daily in our home, at the workplace and in the wider environment.  Science should, therefore, be an important part of our general education.  The Integrated Science syllabus attempts to meet this need.

The syllabus is based on four themes – The Organism, The Home/Workplace, Recreation and Transport – chosen because they adequately represent the common areas of human activity and experience.  These themes form the unifying points of the syllabus which should therefore be seen as a coherent unit; one should not attempt to identify within it separate science subjects.  Integrated Science is a subject in its own right, rather than one comprising sections of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.  Indeed, if such distinctions were made, other components such as Earth Sciences and Meteorology would also be recognised.

The Integrated Science syllabus is intended to contribute to the science education needs of secondary level students in the following groups:

• Those whose abilities, aptitudes and choice of courses will allow them to pursue only one science subject, or who wish to pursue a science course in the interest of a rounded general education;
• Those who study science-related subjects such as Home Economics and Agricultural Science, or who intend to go into studies at the tertiary level, for careers in areas such as nursing and teaching.

The syllabus aims to produce a student who:

• Is scientifically literate;
• Has the ability to apply scientific concepts and principles to everyday situations
• Is willing to work cooperatively with others and to persist  with tasks to a logical conclusion; and
• Appreciates the necessity to preserve the natural environment.

The syllabus is arranged in four sections sub-divided into specific objectives, corresponding explanatory notes and suggested practical activities.

• The Organism
• The Home/Workplace
• Recreation
• Transportation