Studying Chemistry will allow learners to investigate 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.
National 4/5
The National 4 & 5 Chemistry courses enable learners to develop and apply knowledge and understanding of Chemistry. Learners also develop an understanding of Chemistry’s role in scientific issues and relevant applications of chemistry, including the impact these could make in society and the environment.
In S4, pupils will be working towards gaining a qualification in the Senior Phase. National 4 & 5 courses have three units that pupils must pass to gain an overall award:
* Chemical Changes & Structure * Chemistry in Society* Nature’s Chemistry
Higher Chemistry
Entry Requirements
The Higher Chemistry Course develops learners’ curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for chemistry in a range of contexts. The course allows pupils to build on their knowledge from National 5 in areas such as reaction rates, periodic trends, relationships between compounds’ structure and their physical and chemical properties and analysing data to calculate quantities of reagents, products and percentage yields.
Higher Chemistry consists of 2 full units and 2 half units that pupils must pass to gain an overall award:
* Nature’s Chemistry (full unit) * Chemistry in Society (full unit)
* Chemical Changes & Structure (half unit) * Researching Chemistry (half unit)
Assessment
At National 4 pupils will have to pass each individual unit and complete an Added Value Unit which will be graded as a pass or fail. This will involve the pupils having to research a key area of the course and present their findings in a report, poster or presentation.
At National 5 the Course assessment will consist of two components: a question paper (100 marks) and an assignment (20 marks). The overall grade will be calculated by weighting the exam (80%) and the assignment (20%) together.
At Higher the Course assessment will consist of two components: a question paper (120 marks) and an assignment (20 marks). The overall grade will be calculated by weighting the exam (80%) and the assignment (20%) together.
Progression
Successful completion of the Higher course could lead to studying Advanced Higher Chemistry.
Successful completion of the Chemistry courses can lead on to further study and/or employment in a huge range of areas. Examples of these include agriculture, biochemistry, chemical engineering, dentistry, dietetics, environmental health, forensics, medicinal chemistry, medicine, nursing, oil & gas production, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and research and development.
