National 4

The course provides a broad experience of Chemistry.

The course aims to:

  • Develop scientific and analytical thinking skills in a Chemistry context.

  • Develop an understanding of the role of Chemistry in scientific issues.

  • Acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of concepts in Chemistry.

  • Develop understanding of relevant applications of Chemistry in Society.

In addition to scientific skills, learners will continue to develop and acquire the capabilities of the four capacities as well as skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work. They will continue to develop their skills in literacy, numeracy and communication.

To achieve a National 3/4 award in Chemistry pupils must pass all of the required units and the added value unit. There is no final exam and the course is not graded.

Internal Assessment

All Units are internally assessed against the requirements shown in the Unit Specification. They will be assessed on a pass/fail basis.

The assessment of the Units in this Course will be as follows:

Chemical Changes and Structure

The key areas covered in this Unit are:

  • rates of reaction

  • atomic structure and bonding related to properties of materials

  • energy changes of chemical reactions

  • acids and bases

Nature’s Chemistry

The key areas covered in this Unit are:

  • fuels

  • hydrocarbons

  • everyday consumer products

  • plants to products

Chemistry in Society

The key areas in this Unit are:

  • metals and alloys

  • materials

  • fertilisers

  • nuclear chemistry

  • chemical analysis