Chemistry

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of the curriculum are categorised into three domains: knowledge and understanding,skills and processes, and values and attitudes.

1. Knowledge and Understanding

Students are expected to:

• understand phenomena, facts and patterns, principles, concepts, laws and theories in chemistry;

• learn chemical vocabulary, terminology and conventions;

• appreciate applications of chemistry in everyday life;

• understand methods used in scientific investigations.

2. Skills and Processes

(1) Scientific thinking

Students are expected to:

• identify patterns and changes in the natural world, and predict trends from them;

• appreciate the fundamental role of models in exploring phenomena, and that

• models are modified as new or conflicting evidences are found;

• examine evidence and apply logical reasoning to draw valid conclusions;

• examine theories and concepts using logical reasoning and experimentation;

• integrate new concepts into their existing knowledge framework, and apply them to new situations.

(2) Scientific method, scientific investigations and problem solving

Students are expected to:

• identify scientific, social, technological and environmental problems and ask relevant questions;

• identify assumptions, concepts and theories related to a problem posed;

• propose hypotheses and devise methods to test them;

• identify dependent and independent variables;

• devise plans and procedures to carry out investigations;

• select appropriate apparatus to carry out investigations;

• observe and record experimental observations accurately and honestly;

• analyse data gathered from experiments or other sources;

• draw conclusions and make predictions;

• use appropriate techniques to present findings and to convey concepts;

• evaluate suggested solutions to a problem from different perspectives;

• evaluate the validity and reliability of findings and identify factors affecting their validity and reliability;

• propose plans for further investigations, if appropriate;

• apply knowledge and understanding to solve problems in unfamiliar situations;

• recognise the usefulness and limitations of scientific methods.

(3) Decision making

Students are expected to:

• make decisions based on evidence and arguments;

• support judgements using appropriate scientific principles;

• put forward suitable reasoning to choose between alternatives.

(4) Practical work

• Students are expected to:

• select appropriate apparatus and materials for an experiment;

• handle chemicals safely and apparatus in a proper way;

• carry out instructions for experiments and record observations accurately;

• interpret observations and experimental data;

• devise and plan experiments;

• evaluate experimental methods and suggest possible improvements;

• build models to aid comprehension.

(5) Information handling

Students are expected to:

• search, retrieve, reorganise, analyse and interpret scientific information from a variety of sources;

• use information technology to manage and present information;

• be wary of the accuracy and credibility of information from secondary sources;

• distinguish among fact, opinion and value judgement in processing scientific information.

(6) Communication

Students are expected to:

• use symbols, formulae, equations and conventions appropriately;

• interpret scientific information from text and data presented in verbal, diagrammatic, numerical,

• tabular and graphical forms;

• organise and present ideas and arguments in a clear and logical form;

• communicate scientific ideas and values in a meaningful and creative way.