About the Authors
Tim Koussas, the lead author of this study guide, achieved an impressive trifecta of study scores of 50, 48 and 47 in Mathematical Methods, Further Mathematics and Specialist Mathematics when he graduated from Parade College in 2011. He also received a Premier's Award in Mathematical Methods for placing among the top 5 students in the state. He has since completed a Bachelor of Science at La Trobe University, graduating with first class honours as dux of his cohort. Tim is currently completing a PhD in the field of Pure Mathematics at La Trobe University.
Trevor Batty graduated dux of Copperfield College in 2011, achieving a study score of 45 raw in Mathematical Methods. He has since completed a double Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and Science at Monash University, maintaining an outstanding high distinction average. During his undergraduate years, Trevor has been an influential member of the Monash University Unmanned Aerial System team, writing avionics software to auto-pilot the team's competition entry in the UAV challenge.
Dr Will Hoang graduated from Melbourne Grammar School in 2011, achieving an ATAR of 99.90. While still in year 11, he achieved a perfect 50 in Mathematical Methods and received a Premier's Award in the subject for placing among the top 5 students in the state. Will has since completed a Bachelor of Biomedicine (Chancellor's Scholars Program) and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Melbourne, and is now a practicing doctor.
Dr Nathaniel Lizak graduated dux of Bialik College in 2011 with an ATAR of 99.90, which included a perfect 50 and a Premier's Award in Specialist Mathematics. In that same year, Nathaniel also achieved the impressive feat of scoring the top mark in the University of Melbourne Extension Program for Mathematics (which allows VCE students to undertake university-level mathematics studies). Nathaniel has completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Monash University, achieving first-class honours, and is now a practising doctor. As an undergraduate student, Nathaniel has made an impressive achievement, being published in a medical journal for original research into multiple sclerosis.
Dr Thushan Hettige is the Managing Director of Decode and its most senior content developer. He graduated dux of Scotch College in 2011 with an ATAR of 99.95, scoring 5 perfect 50s (one of which included Mathematical Methods) and Premier's Awards in Chemistry, Biology, English Language and Mathematical Methods. This means that Thushan was in the top 5 students in the state for four of the subjects he studied. Thushan also won the silver medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad in Turkey. His achievements earned him the Australian Students' Prize for 2011, which is awarded to the top 500 students from across the country. Thushan has since racked up extensive tutoring experience, both at VCE level and in mentoring MBBS students in earlier year levels. He has completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with honours, and is now a practising doctor.
William Swedosh scored a perfect 50 in Mathematical Methods in his graduating year of 2007 at McKinnon Secondary College. He has since completed a double Bachelor of Engineering and Science with an average score of 94% across his mathematics units. William now works for the CSIRO, modelling the physics of bushfires.
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