Staff
Mrs. C. Mazzoni
Mr. B. Higgins
Mr. A. Leishman
Dr. C. Mitchell
Mr. D. Roser
The study of chemistry deals with key aspects of the physical and natural environments such as atomic structure, chemical processes in plants and animals, petrochemicals, the development of synthetic materials and many other crucial aspects of modern technological society.
Chemistry provides opportunities to acquire knowledge and understanding of chemical facts, theories, symbols and applications in everyday life.
Students will develop problem solving abilities by:
- selecting and presenting information
- processing information
- designing, planning and evaluating procedures
- drawing conclusions and giving explanations
- making predictions and generalisations
Through experimental and investigative activities, students will develop analytical and practical skills, including the ability to carry out chemical techniques, providing a sound basis for students intending to progress to careers in many scientific based areas.
Courses
Unit 1 – Chemical Changes and Structure
The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills of scientific inquiry, investigation, analytical thinking and knowledge and understanding of chemical changes and structure. The key areas covered are:
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National 4
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National 5
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Unit 2 – Nature’s Chemistry
This unit will consider the applications of nature’s chemistry on our lives, as well as the implications on society/the environment. The key areas covered are:
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National 4
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National 5
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Unit 3 – Chemistry in Society
This unit will consider the applications of chemistry in society on our lives, as well as the implications on society/the environment. The key areas covered are:
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National 4
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National 5
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Assessment
You will be assessed throughout the course in a variety of ways. Some of the assessments are for formative purposes to produce a profile report for you and your parents/guardians to show how you are getting on in each unit. These assessments will also help us decide which level National 4 or 5, you should aim for.
Other assessments are to provide evidence for SQA certification purposes and will be completed and marked following guidelines set by the SQA. These assessments will cover content and skills appropriate to National 4 or 5 levels.
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National 4
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National 5
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| Assessment Task 1 – A scientific report of an experiment or practical investigation. The report must include:
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE EXPERIMENT REPORT FOR THE COURSE. |
Assessment Task 1 – A scientific report of an experiment or practical investigation. The report must include:
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE REPORT FOR THE COURSE. |
| Assessment Task 2 – A short scientific report of a research investigation. You will select and research an application of chemistry from one of the key areas you have studied. You must produce a report of 40 -70 words which identifies the key area and the impact of the application on the environment/society. YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE COURSE. |
Assessment Task 2 – A short scientific report of a research investigation. You will select and research an application of chemistry from one of the key areas you have studied. You must produce a report of 50 -100 words which identifies the key area and the impact of the application on the environment/society. YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE RESEARCH REPORT FOR THE COURSE. |
| Assessment Task 3 – A set of questions. You will be given questions covering knowledge & understanding and problem solving under exam conditions. YOU WILL GET A SET OF QUESTIONS FOR EACH OF THE THREE UNITS. |
Assessment Task 3 – A set of questions. You will be given questions covering knowledge & understanding and problem solving under exam conditions. YOU WILL GET A SET OF QUESTIONS FOR EACH OF THE THREE UNITS. |
| Added Value Assessment You will investigate a topical issue in chemistry and its impact on society/the environment by:
You will be able to gather information over several weeks and you will be given no more than 2 hours under supervised conditions to write up your findings under open-book conditions. This will be marked by your class teacher. YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE ADDED VALUE FOR THE COURSE. Note: There is no final exam for National 4. |
Added Value Assessment You will investigate a topical issue in chemistry and its impact on society/the environment by:
You will be able to gather information over several weeks and you will be given no more than 1 hour under supervised conditions to write up your findings under open-book conditions. This will be submitted to the SQA to be marked. It is worth a total of 20 marks. YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE ADDED VALUE FOR THE COURSE. You will sit a final exam which will test your knowledge & understanding from all the nits as well as problem solving skills. The exam will be sat under exam conditions in the hall. This will be submitted to the SQA to be marked. It is worth a total of 80 marks. |
The higher grade course is studied over 1 year and the pupils are assessed via an external examination under the auspiscies of the SQA. The course is based aroun 3 main topics.
Unit 1: Chemical Changes and Structure
This unit covers
- Controlling reaction rates
- Trends in the periodic table
- Collision theory and the effects of catalysts
- Electronegativity, intermolecular and intra-molecular forces
- Bonding and properties
Unit 2: Nature’s Chemistry
This unit covers
- Organic chemistry
- The study of everyday consumer products
- The structure and properties of organic compounds
- Functional groups and types of organic reaction
Unit 3: Chemistry in Society
This unit covers
- Physical chemistry
- Calculations concerning quantities of products and reagents
- Percentage yield calculations and the atom economy
- Predicting changes in enthalpy
- Dynamic equilibria
- Redox reactions
- Analytical chemistry (titrations and determining the purity of products)
Researching Chemistry
Students will research and perform a practical investigation into a topical issue. This will involve utilising a number of sources and researching the chemistry behind their selected issue.
A copy of the appropriate SQA data book may downloaded here.
The Advanced Higher Grade course is studied over 1 year and the pupils are assessed via an external examination under the auspiscies of the SQA. The course is based around 4 main units.
Unit 1: Electronic Structure and the Periodic Table
- The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Atomic Spectroscopy
- Electronic Configuration and the Periodic Table
- Covalent Bonding
- Ionic Lattices, Superconductors and Semiconductors
- Some Chemistry of the Periodic Table: Oxides, Chlorides and Hydrides
- Transition Metals
Unit 2: Principles of Chemical Reactions
- Stoichiometry
- Chemical Equilibrium
- Phase Equilibria
- Acid/base Equilibria
- Indicators and buffers
- Thermochemistry
- Reaction Feasibility
- Electrochemistry
- Kinetics
Unit 3: Organic Chemistry
- Introduction to Organic Chemistry
- Hydrocarbons and Halogenoalkanes
- Alcohols and Ethers
- Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
- Amines
- Aromatics
- Stereoisomers
- Elemental analysis and Mass spectrometry
- Infrared and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography
- Medicines
Unit 4: Practical Investigation
The investigation is a piece of individual research undertaken by the candidate to prove that he/she can:
- research a chemistry topic by looking up textbooks, journals, and using the world wide web
- design and plan experiments
- carry out experiments safely and accurately
- evaluate procedures and results
- write a scientific report (2000-2500 words)
The investigation is assessed both internally and externally
A copy of the appropriate SQA data book may downloaded here.
Resources
To access Evans2chemweb, click here
To access Scholar, click here
To access BBC Bitesize, click here
National 4 and 5 Summaries
