The main aims of this course are to:
- Develop scientific and analytical skills in a chemistry context.
- Develop problem solving skills in a chemistry context.
- Develop an understanding of chemistry’s role in scientific issues.
- Acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of chemistry concepts.
- Develop understanding of how chemical products are formed.
- Develop understanding of relevant applications of chemistry in society.
Content
The courses will follow three units of work and an externally marked assignment:
Unit 1: Chemical Changes and Structure
Learners will develop skills and an awareness of ethical and environmental issues in a local and worldwide context. Learners will gain an understanding of how Chemistry is involved in the cause, effect and resolution of these issues.
This unit involves the study of:
- Rates of reaction
- Atomic theory
- Bonding, structure and properties
- Chemical formulae
- Acids and Bases
Unit 2: Nature’s Chemistry
Learner’s will use everyday products such as cosmetics, fuel and food to develop skills and an understanding of the application of Chemistry to everyday life, while considering environmental and ethical implications.
This unit involves the study of:
- Homologous series
- Everyday consumer products
- Energy for fuels
Unit 3: Chemistry in Society
Learners will develop scientific and analytical thinking skills through investigating new materials and energy sources.
This unit involves the study of:
- Metals
- Properties of plastics
- Fertilisers
- Nuclear Chemistry
- Chemical analysis
How will it be assessed?
To gain an award in the course, pupils must pass all of the Units as well as the final course assessment.
Units will be assessed internally as the course progresses.
The final course assessment will consist of 80% from an external examination, plus 20% from an assignment completed during the Added Value Unit.
The assignment has two stages:
- A research stage; and
- A communication stage, during which a report is written.
