Higher
Higher Course Outline
A one year Course for students who wish to continue their study of Chemistry beyond National 5 Chemistry.
The Higher (CfE) Chemistry Course.
Contributes to improved knowledge and understanding of the physical and natural world. Giving pupils an understanding of Scientific issues in a national and global context
Is an essential or preferred option for careers such as Medicine, Dentistry, Vet, Optician, Forensic Scientist, Physiotherapist, Chemist, Pharmacologist, Chemical Engineer.
Continues to develop problem solving capabilities alongside the skills of Numeracy and Literacy.
Entry Level
National 5 Award A to C pass in Chemistry
National 5 Award A to C pass in Maths
Course Content
Chemical Changes and Structures
The unit covers the knowledge and understanding of controlling reaction rates and recognising periodic trends. Pupils will investigate collision theory and the use of catalysts in reactions. The concepts of electronegativity and the various types of bonding will be developed allowing connections to be made between bonding and a material’s physical properties.
Nature’s Chemistry
The unit covers the knowledge and understanding of organic chemistry within the context of food and the chemistry of consumer products soaps, detergents, fragrances and skincare. The relationship between the structure of organic compounds, their physical and chemical properties and their uses are investigated.
Chemistry in Society
The unit covers the knowledge and understanding of physical chemistry. Learners will calculate quantities of reagents and products and percentage yield. Pupils will develop their skills to manipulate dynamic equilibria and predict enthalpy changes. Pupils will also investigate oxidation and reduction reactions in analytical chemistry through the context of volumetric titrations.
Researching Chemistry
Pupils will research the relevance of a topical issue by collecting and synthesising information from a number of sources. In relation to the topical issue and using practical skills developed over a number of years pupils will also plan and undertake an investigation and communicate their findings at the end.
Course Assessment
The course assessment will consist of two components: a question paper and an assignment.
Component 1 - External Exam
The purpose of the question paper is to assess breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding from across the Units.
The question paper will have 100 marks (77% of the total mark) and will have two sections.
Section 1 - Multiple Choice will have 20 marks.
Section 2 - 'Paper 2' will contain restricted and extended response questions and will have 80 marks.
Component 2 - Assignment
The assignment will have 30 marks (23% of the total marks)
In preperation for the controlled assessment, the pupil will carry out an investigation stage:
select an appropriate chemistry topic within the set guidelines provided by SQA
investigate/research the topic, focusing on applications and impact on society
process the information collected
In the controlled assessment stage, the pupil will present evidence of:
the process they have undertaken
chemistry knowledge and understanding related to the topic investigated
the application of the topic
a balanced evaluationof the impact on society
a reasoned conclusion