Higher Chemistry

Chemistry is everywhere. From the burning of petrol in a car engine, to the digestion of food in your body. From fireworks displays, to the manufacture of fertilisers. There is no escape. Studying chemistry will help you find out how these processes happen.

A qualification in chemistry is essential if you wish to study medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry. It is essential or recommended if you wish to study a chemistry related subject in higher education such as environmental science, biology, food science, geology, chemical engineering or pharmacy.

The course content includes the following areas of chemistry:

Chemical changes and structure

The topics covered are:

 periodicity

 structure and bonding

 oxidising and reducing agents

Nature’s chemistry

The topics covered are:

 systematic carbon chemistry

 alcohols

 carboxylic acids

 esters

 fats and oils

 soaps

 detergents and emulsions

 proteins

 oxidation of food

 fragrances

 skin care

Chemistry in society

The topics covered are:

 getting the most from reactants

 controlling the rate

 chemical energy

 equilibria

 chemical analysis

Researching chemistry

The topics covered are:

 common chemical apparatus

 general practical techniques

 reporting experimental work

The Course aims to:

•  demonstrating knowledge and understanding of chemistry by making accurate statements

•  demonstrating knowledge and understanding of chemistry by describing information, providing explanations and integrating knowledge 

• applying knowledge of chemistry to new situations, analysing information and solving problems 

• planning, designing and safely carrying out experiments/practical investigations to test given hypotheses or to illustrate particular effects

• carrying out experiments/practical investigation safely, recording detailed observations and collecting data

• selecting information from a variety of sources

• presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms

• processing information (using calculations and units, where appropriate)

• making predictions and generalisations from evidence/information

• drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification

• evaluating experiments/practical investigations and suggesting improvements

• communicating findings/information effectively

The course will be assessed through two question papers (exams) and an assignment, which will be marked

by SQA and graded A to D.

• The question papers make up 80% of the total assessment mark.

• The assignment mark is scaled to make up 33% of the total assessment mark. The topic is chosen with guidance from the teacher and must involve experimental work.

Question Paper Section 1: Multiple choice questions (25 marks)

Section 2: Restricted and extended response questions (95 marks)

Section 1 is 40 minutes in length

Section 2 is 2 hours 20 minutes in length

Assignment Two stages: research and report. The whole assignment is recommended to take 8 hours max and the report is written up under timed conditions (maximum 2 hours).

Homework required

Homework is issued every week and regular revision of 3-4 hours is recommended a week (more when approaching assessments).