Chemistry
Courses: Chemistry National 4 and 5, Chemistry Higher, Chemistry Advanced Higher.
The purpose of the Courses is to develop learners’ curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for chemistry in a range of contexts. The key skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are integrated and developed throughout the Courses. The relevance of chemistry is highlighted by the study of the applications of chemistry in everyday contexts. This will enable learners to become scientifically literate citizens, able to review the science-based claims they will meet.
The Courses give opportunities for learners to develop the ability to think analytically, creatively and independently, and to make reasoned evaluations. The Courses cover a variety of contexts relevant to chemistry’s impact on the environment and society through the chemistry of the Earth’s resources, the chemistry of everyday products and environmental analysis. The Courses allow flexibility and personalisation by offering choice in the contexts studied. It offers a broad, versatile and adaptable skills set which is valued in the workplace, and forms the basis for progress onto study of chemistry at a higher level, while also providing a knowledge base useful in the study of all of the sciences.
To find revision materials for this subject go to the Family Learning zone
S3 Chemistry
The S3 Chemistry course allows coverage of appropriate Level 4 chemistry to allow progression to National 5 chemistry outcomes. The outline of course coverage is as follows:
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Dates |
Outlines |
Assessments |
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June |
Introduction course |
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August - October |
Rates of reactions and Atoms |
End of topic tests
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November - December |
Covalent bonding and Fuels |
End of topic tests
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January - April |
Hydrocarbons and Ionic bonding
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End of topic tests
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April to May |
Chemical formulae |
End of topic test
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S4 Chemistry
Under Qualifications Scotland (QS), the final grade is determined by a written exam paper worth 80% of your total mark, alongside an experimental research assignment worth the remaining 20%.
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Dates |
Outlines |
Assessments |
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June |
The Mole |
End of topic test
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August - October |
Acids and Bases |
End of topic test
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October - December |
Alcohols, Energy, Carboxylic acids and Plastics |
End of topic test
Prelim exam for all topics covered in S3 and S4. |
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January - February |
Metals followed by Assignment
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Assignment practical and write-up under exam conditions
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February - March |
Fertilisers and Nuclear chemistry |
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April - May |
Revision Exam |
Final exam |
Higher Chemistry
Higher Chemistry deepens your understanding of Chemistry across three units. The qualification is assessed via a written exam paper accounting for 80% of the final mark, and a written research assignment making up the final 20%. The course is split between two teachers: Dr McIntyre (Unit 1 and 3) Mr Murray (Unit 2).
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Dates |
Outlines |
Assessments |
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June |
Unit 1 – Periodicity
Unit 2 – Systematic carbon chemistry
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Homeworks |
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August - October |
Unit 1 – Structure and Bonding & Oxidising/Reducing agents
Unit 2 – Alcohols, Carboxylic acids, Esters, Fats and Oils.
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Homeworks
End of unit 1 Test
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October - December |
Unit 3 – Chemical analysis (volumetric analysis), Rates of reaction, Chemical energy.
Unit 2 – Soaps, Detergents and Emulsions, Proteins. |
Homeworks
Prelim covering Unit 1 and most of unit 2 |
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January - April |
Assignment
Unit 3: Getting the most from reactants, Equilibria, Chemical analysis (chromatography)
Unit 2: Oxidation of food, Fragrances, Skin care
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Assignment practical and write up
End of Unit 2 Test |
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April to May |
Revision Exam |
Final exam |
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Chemistry bridges the gap to university-level by covering three units: the assessment shifts to place a much larger emphasis on project work splitting the final grade between a written exam (75%) and an extensive, independently designed practical project report (25%).
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Dates |
Outlines |
Assessments |
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May - June |
Electromagnetic radiation and atomic spectra. Atomic orbitals and electronic configuration |
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August - October |
Transition metals Equilibrium Reaction feasibility
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Unit 1 Assessment |
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October - December |
Kinetics Molecular orbitals Synthesis |
Unit 2 Assessment |
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January - April |
Stereochemistry Structure determination Pharmaceutical chemistry Exam preparation Project work Prelim Project deadline (March) |
Unit 3 Assessment Project draft submissions Prelim Final Project submission |
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April - May |
Targeted Revision
End exam |
End QS exam |